blue

The LIST Card F50

blue

The following information has been provided by the restaurant.

blue is an elegant, contemporary Edinburgh city centre restaurant. Its proximity to the Usher Hall, Traverse and Lyceum theatres, the Cameo and Filmhouse makes it ideal for pre or post theatre dining, early morning coffees and intimate suppers for two.

blue celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007 with a stylish refit transforming blue into a destination restaurant offering award winning food and service. The introduction of Danish chairs, handmade rugs, stunning lighting and impressive floor to ceiling oak panelling has created a lovely dining room in which to relax in comfort.

blue uses the freshest and finest seasonal produce from local suppliers and growers. On Saturdays our head chef can be seen buying straight from the adjacent farmers market or doing a food demonstration on the slow food stall. Our philosophy is simple; absolute quality ingredients, handled lightly, cooked precisely and presented with the minimum of fuss.

Blue has a fantastic bar that lists 30 well chosen wines, plus a wide selection of spirits, beers and cocktails.

Our friendly informed staff, renowned for their relaxed, attentive, yet unobtrusive service, look forward to welcoming you to blue.

The LIST Card is a dining scheme that gives you promotional two-for-one offers at a range of restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond. Find out more.

10. feeling blue, edinburgh – 16 July 2010, 9:46amblueReport

i have to say i was quite dissapointed after reading the previous reviews. yes the ambience is lovely and the staff are very pleasant and attentive (but not overly). the food however just didn't live up to expectation. the smoked salmon was a bit stodgy. the steak - which we both ordred "rare" was medium-welldone - barely pink flesh in sight. the mussles did not seem particularly enticing with a sauce that was mediocre. the wine was good however. i did also feel that the menu was more gastro-pub than what i was expecting. overall - good atmosphere but food not quite up to scratch.

9. David Herrera, Edinburgh – 31 May 2010, 12:06amblueReport

We chose to have our wedding in Blue restaurant after dining in the restaurant, at the time I had 22 years of catering experience which included managing French restaurants and fine dining at the highest level so I have a Simon Cowell instinct when it comes to finding a good restaurant.

I was so impressed by the standard of food, drink and service that I booked my wedding there the following week, and I was not disappointed for a second.

The food is all locally sourced, and changes according to seasonal availability to achieve the finest quality. The menu isn't hugely extensive but this means they can focus on delivering top notch meals as opposed to over-stretching themselves. The wedding itself was brilliant - service was polite and attentive, the house wine was to a high standard, and the staff were patient with our constant last minute changes!

The smoked salmon was full of freshness and packed with flavour, the main course was a fantastic featherblade of borders beef, garlic mash, glazed carrots, thyme jus which melts in your mouth. The presentation of the whole meal was equally very good, even the cheesecake was made to wedding standard.

We even had our wedding pictures taken on their roof top which looked directly accross to Edinburgh castle, and the pictures are breath taking, whilst our guests enjoyed homemade hot canapes with their bubbly, which were also fantastic.

Thank you very much Blue, and don't change anything.

8. Will Searle, Edinburgh – 7 March 2010, 10:30amblueReport

I went to Blue for a family meal, on the recommendation of friends. It was a perfect meal and a brilliant night out!

Having been brought up in a hotel and worked for many years in restaurants and bars I've come to have high standards and they were all exceeded! The service was faultless, the wine was a prefect temperature (and as a red wine drinker that means a lot to me!), the food was amazing.

Having never eaten at Blue before I feel slightly embarrassed that I've lived in the city so long and never been, it will be my first choice next time around!

A superb experience that none of us there will forget.

7. Andrew and Lisa Radford, Blue – 1 November 2009, 10:10pmblueReport

Dear foodiegal

We are so very sorry to read that your wedding day at Blue was not as you had planned and wish we had known about it sooner. Please would you phone and give us the opportunity of talking to you.

Best wishes, Andrew and Lisa

6. greedy pig, dundee – 26 October 2009, 1:05pmblueReport

This is my favourite Edinburgh restaurant. Close to the theatres, handy for shopping, laid back atmosphere and cheerful, friendly service from the great staff. Oh - yes: the food is good too! Great Scottish fayre with a modern twist. As a world expert on creme brulee (still researching) I can't fault the many different variations I have tasted here over the past couple of years, and every one a winner! And they mix a mean martini! FAB!

5. Anonymous Edinburgh, Edinburgh – 26 October 2009, 12:52pmblueReport

I recently dined at Blue after a friend recommended it, and had a brilliant night! We were greeted with a relaxed and friendly welcome as soon as we entered the restaurant, and this lovely level of service was maintained throughout the evening. The menu was packed with tempting offerings and had something to suit everyone. I decided on scallops with smoked haddock brandade to start followed by pork with stornoway black pudding and my friend had smoked salmon and horseradish then sausage and mash- good choices all round! My scallops were mouthwatering and perfectly cooked and the main course was just as delicious! My friend thoroughly enjoyed both of her dished too especially the sausage and mash- the sausages were really big and looked amazing. After a bit of a breather we shared a chocolate brownie with rum and raisin ice cream which was warm and soft- simply amazing- then we both had an espresso martini which rounded off the evening perfectly!
I have just booked a table for my birthday with a bunch of my friends and can't wait to go back! I highly recommend Blue for any occassion.

3. Davidmc, Northern Ireland – 17 April 2009, 2:19pmblueReport

I have been here twice now and have enjoyed both meals. The butternut squash soup was very nicely flavoured but surprisingly and unexpectedly hot as in spicy with a capital "H". I had no problem with it but some might. The trout on purple sprouting broccoli was enjoyable and well cooked and the creme brule very nice too. Overall a good time was had. The tables are well spaced and there is no pressure to leave quickly. I love the ambience of the place with the windows and the subdued lighting. Helpful staff catered for my coeliac diet and I had no ill effects. My wife's poached salmon starter was the one little blip as it was pretty well raw which she did not like. I would still happily return.

2. monkey puzzle, Edinburgh – 14 November 2008, 4:24pmblueReport

Really nice atmosphere for evening dining; ambient lighting (i.e. candlelight flattering and flickering in the darkness), seats much more comfortable than they look on the website, fabulous service.
However, I'm afraid the food disappointed. We chose from the pre-theatre menu which has some theortically tempting treats on offer and the starters were winners: a lip-smacking cauliflower soup for him and smoked salmon with capers for me. The main courses were a dreadful anti-climax. Fish cakes for me: doughy, couldn't actually taste the fish, and accompanied by that bitter lettuce which seemed to have got everywhere including scattered like thatch on my husband's risotto; bland and not very warm. The pudding saved the day; who can resist a crumble and it was suitably fruity and crumbly. Perhaps I'll try a la carte next time ... and there will be a next time because the atmosphere is lovely.

1. irascible kipper, Edinburgh – 24 October 2008, 12:17pmblueReport

Blue never fails - fresh, funky food prepared to order with staff that are always knowledge, friendly and helpful. I am a fussy eater and usually ask for amendments to dishes - never a problem. They also accepted my List card on a saturday evening.