The Grain Store
- Food served: Mon–Thu noon–2pm, 6–10pm; Fri noon–2pm, 6–11pm; Sat noon–3pm, 6–11pm; Sun noon–3pm, 6–10pm. [Extended in Festival].
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 8
- Private dining: 10/12
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs
- Music on stereo: Scottish/Classical/Jazz
- Capacity: 45
- Largest group: 40
- Open since: 1991
- Average price:
£12.50 (set lunch)
£32 (evening meal) - House wine: £18 per bottle
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
The Grain Store has earned the right to be considered an Edinburgh classic. Nestled in the colourful parade of Victoria Street premises, the restaurant's solid stone walls and worn, dark-wood furnishings make it feel like coming home even on a first visit. Warmth exudes from well trained staff and the simple menu would do any enthusiast of Scottish produce proud. Oysters gleam and are heady of the sea. Hare, foie gras and pancetta terrine and the home-smoked salmon and scrambled eggs are both technically expert and wonderfully restorative. The saddle of Perthshire venison is a splendid beast, perfectly pink against subtle celeriac purée, with slow-cooked beetroot providing sweetness. An evident commitment to local, seasonal and high quality sourcing drives the menu content and rotation. It's therefore a bit sad that vegetarians have lovely but somewhat limited options. Given the quality of the kitchen and its interest in unusual ingredients, perhaps this will still come as the Grain Store goes from strength to strength.
- High point: Consistent and expertly produced dishes in charming setting
- Low point: Not accessible to all due to stairs
Reviews of The Grain Store (30 Victoria Street, Edinburgh)
- 6. RudiRoo, Edinburgh – 3 May 2010, 5:48pm
The Grain StoreReport -
The atmosphere and decor is great. The service is friendly but seriously slow.
The food was largely excellent - in terms of preparation and combination.But for these prices the quality of the meats were simply not good enough. Not terrible, but not what one should expect.
In addition many several items on the (quite brief) menu were already finished by 8:30pm, as was our first choice of wine.
I may give it one more chance but I won't be rushing back.
- 5. Holdyourteddytight, The Grainstore – 2 March 2009, 12:50pm
The Grain StoreReport -
Beautiful inside, lovely views over Victoria Street; tables placed wide enough apart to avoid sense of overcrowding in the relatively small space; efficient and friendly service; I ordered wine by the glass (good Rioja) and for once got a large measure rather than the smallest the restaurant think they can get away with; creamed goat's cheese starter very tasty and well presented; delicious butternut squash soup; winter chanterelle raviolo(!) felt very home-made in the best possible sense; salmon nice but ordinary; a bit disappointed by the brioche bread and butter pudding, I expected something moister and richer somehow. Overall experience excellent, would recommend. I am sorry that Marsco had such a bad experience there, especially if the restaurant didn't reply to the email - poor show there.
- 4. Marsco, Kirkcaldy-Fife – 9 November 2008, 12:27pmThe Grain StoreReport
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Had the worst meal EVER! The fish(halibut) was mouthful and mouthful of bones! Lemon tart served with lemon sorbet lemon sauce and grapefruit took breath away literally, needed a glass of water to speak again a plate of acidic tosh. Risotto so salty it was scary. Beautiful piece of venison served with a scoop of mash and nothing else at over £20 a plate. All this plus a condescending liitle waiter that inferred we did not know the difference anyway (explained to us that fish had worse bones in different places!!!)and then charged us £154 for the nighmare experience (other than 1 bottle of wine and 4 glasses of champagne). I sent them an email of a whole list of complaints- it was our 24th wedding anniversay- and have received nothing back. Spend you money somewhere else Edinburgh has so much more to offer the palette than this place.
- 3. ladies who lunch, The Grain Store – 1 October 2008, 7:45pm
The Grain StoreReport -
We ate here for lunch and were absolutely delighted by the delicious food served to us by pleasant staff in attractive surroundings. Having eaten at many locations throughout the centre of Edinburgh, this is the first time that I have enjoyed a meal enough to make me write about it.
The reason we chose The Grain Store was because of the reviews posted on The List. Useful information!
- 2. The Mother of Bono, Edinburgh – 19 April 2008, 12:17pmThe Grain StoreReport
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Totally agree with "Beachball". Great atmosphere. Must be best value lunch in town.
- 1. Beachball, Edinburgh – 31 January 2008, 4:33pmThe Grain StoreReport
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I can not recommend this restaurant highly enough. There are many restaurants in Edinburgh which have been around a while, are recommended but fail to impress. The Grain Store however is as good if not better than I was told. The building itself is wonderful, with tables spaced to allow privacy. The service we received was impeccable yet relaxed and friendly and the food was fresh, locally sourced and scrumpcious! The wine list was also excellent.
Try The Grain Store out-I promise you shall not be disappointed!
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