Stac Polly
This restaurant has ceased trading.
- Food served: Tue–Fri noon–2pm, 6–8.45pm; Sat 6–9.30pm. Closed Sun/Mon.
- Pre-theatre times: Tue–Sat 6–7pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 6
- Private dining: 12/35
- Also offers: Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu
- Music on stereo: Easy listening
- Capacity: 58
- Largest group: 50
- Open since: 1993
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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.
Stac Polly’s three city-centre venues reflect a shared approach to Scottish cuisine but via distinctive settings and menus. Elegant Dublin Street pursues a fine dining repertoire. Newest entry St Mary’s Street goes for bistro simplicity but with flair. Grindlay Street responds to its Usher Hall/Traverse clientele with high quality pre-theatre supping. Five-spiced salmon escalopes with wasabi mayonnaise arrives moist, hot and tangy. Mussel and saffron clam chowder is rich and fragrant, but could do with a few more of those tender mussels. Terrine of beef shin is a treat, at risk of falling apart on the fork but for the stickiness of a red grape compote. Following these delights, the mains are less exciting. The roast fillets of North Sea trout are a bit dry in their spiced crust. Cutlets of local lamb are perfect and pink but there's nothing to offset their sweetness on the plate. Delicate, artistic puddings are more imaginative. Overall the elements of a memorable meal are certainly in place but Stac Polly still has potential to fulfil.
- High point: Interesting, inventive starters set high expectations
- Low point: Mains are sound but less adventurous
Reviews of Stac Polly (8–10 Grindlay Street, Edinburgh)
- 3. LooBee, Pleasance edinburgh – 10 March 2011, 4:44pmStac PollyReport
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I went to Stac Polly 5th March 2011 and have to completely disagree with the previous comments - maybe it has been made over since those posts.
Okay so its not in the greatest of places, in that the street is a bit manky, but its so lovely inside. The staff I had that night were very nice and made sure we had an enjoyable experience.
Food was nice tasting - not the best food I have ever had but definately not the worst. The lamb was cooked to perfection, only problem was i could have eaten twice the amount that was on my plate! It came with a puree carrot thing that was to die for though again was only served a taster.
Nice enough restaurant, good service, food was nice although for the amount the meals cost a bit more on the plate would be nice.So all in all - add more to the dishes or lower your prices and i'd happily come back.
- 2. TT, Edinburgh – 16 October 2010, 11:17pm
Stac PollyReport -
I am sad to say that I have to completely agree with M's comments (17 June 2010).
I went to the Grindlay St restaurant with my partner for an special anniversary dinner this weekend. We had been there once before, about 12-14 years ago, and had a very special and memorable meal. Unfortunately, this time around the experience was much less memorable.
The restaurant had a slighly foostie smell, and the decor was generally tired. The menu was presented in a folder with plastic pages that wouldn't look out of place in TGI Fridays. Even though we were there at 7.30pm on a Saturday, the restaurant was half empty. There were only two waiting staff (they obviously weren't expecting to be any busier), and, like M, we were on more than one occasion left waiting with empty glasses waiting to be topped up (although we had ordered a bottle of wine, the bottle was left in a cooler away from the table). The food was fairly good, but really not outstanding, and over-priced for what it was (3 courses and a bottle of wine for 2 was over £100).
The whole experience was a bit of a let down - I had fond memories of this place, but I don't expect I'll be returning any time soon.
- 1. M – 17 June 2010, 10:58am
Stac PollyReport -
This is a tired establishment and could really do with a makeover. It was my first visit, but I got the impression it was trading on yesterday's reputation.
Food was generally good, but memorable only because it was pretty forgettable! Nothing stood out as particularly different or special.
Service was mediocre with little attention to diners. We were there on a quiet night and were the only table, but despite this still had to get attention when we were sitting with empty glasses on more than one occasion.
Very average.
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