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Basement Bar

Basement Bar
10a–12a Broughton Street
Edinburgh, EH1 3RH
Phone: 0131 557 0097
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  • Food served: Mon–Sun noon–10.30pm
  • Bar open: Mon–Sun noon–1am
  • Children welcome: after 8pm
  • Number of wines sold by the glass: 8
  • Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of main courses), Gluten-free options, Outdoor tables (smokers welcome)
  • Music on stereo: Rhythm and blues
  • Capacity: 52
  • Largest group: 18 (daytime); 8 (evening)
  • Open since: 1994
View larger map of EH1 3RH
  • Average price 2 courses:
     £8.90 (set lunch)
     £12 (evening meal)
  • House wine: £11 per bottle
Eating & Drinking Guide 2008

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

Situated below busy Broughton Street, The Basement is a lively little bistro where staff dressed in Hawaiian shirts often greet you at the door. Inside, tall gothic candles and 80s retro décor set the tone of fun, casual dining. The menu, which changes daily, consists of familiar gastropub fare with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. A starter of home-made chicken liver and brandy pâté, coarse in texture, spreads thickly over crisp toast. A generous plate of mussels arrives swimming in a fragrant crab, coconut and coriander broth. Among the entrées, the crunchy Grolsch-battered sea bass is wisely paired with sautéed potatoes. The venison pie, though rich and meaty, is outshone by a savoy cabbage, toasted pine-nut and potato mash. For dessert, the layered banoffee pie with dollops of ice-cream is a sticky treat. The weekend menu includes a few Mexican favourites and offers golden chimichangas, spicy fajitas and enchiladas smothered in cheese. Also a popular pub, the Basement features a wide and tasteful drinks list with many cocktails, champagnes, wines and international beers on offer.

  • High point: Equally enjoyable as a bar or restaurant
  • Low point: Limited dessert menu

Take Three: Good pub grub

14 Feb 2008

The Butterfly and the Pig 153 Bath Street, Glasgow 0141 221 7711, www.thebutterflyandthepig.com Unique and a little zany, this flighty butterfly and dashing pig have made a rather refreshing splash across the Glasgow pub food scene. The retro décor…

Comments

1. Juliet, Edinburgh – 7 May 2008, 4:47pmReport

I love the basement, they do the most lovely steaks! Mmm.

2. XYY, Edinburgh – 16 July 2008, 5:45pmReport

The basement is very weird. I was told it was mexican, got there and there was the likes of steak pie on offer. Hawian shirts, and cocktails. Crammed into a tight space, not the best service, pretty dour. Food itself was pretty good, chilli prawns, and the aboved stated steak pie were pretty good, but it's just a weird wee place. Not been back, and probably won't be.

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