Maxies Bistro and Wine Bar

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £6.95 (set lunch)
   £14.50 (evening meal)
• House wine: £10.50 per bottle

• High point: Cosy when it's cold. Sunny when it's sunny
• Low point: Side salads are due for a revamp
• Food served: Mon-Sun 11am-11pm
• Bar open: Mon-Sun 11am-midnight
• Private dining: 100 (outsi
• Open since: 1979
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of menu), Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

As soon as you wander in off Johnston Terrace under the castle, you'll start wishing Maxie's Bistro and Wine Bar was an extension of your own home. Ah, to laze upon the cushiony bench seats of the bar area all day long, or to take every advantage of Edinburgh's summer sun on the terrace overlooking the Grassmarket and across to stunning George Heriot's. It's quite clear that the Maxie's motto is 'eat, drink and be merry', and this slogan will become your own while you're there. Start with a bottle of wine, naturally, and then turn to a menu that is all about popular favourites such as the deep-fried brie in its thick, crispy batter. The crispy-coated mushrooms are basically deep fried button 'shrooms, so no fireworks there, just a tasty crunch to start you off. There's a range of international influences throughout the mains, including chicken enchiladas, steak teriyaki, pasta fungi, plus Scottish seafoods such as Loch Fyne oysters done in a number of ways. You'll want pudding just so you can stay a little longer, so indulge in the likes of lemon cheesecake or hot fudge cake with a cold scoop of ice-cream.