Biblos
- Food served: Mon–Sun 11am–10pm
- Bar open: Mon–Sat 10am–1am; Sun 12.30pm–1am
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 12
- Private dining: Up to 50 covers
- Also offers: Wheelchair access, Outdoor tables, Live music
- Music on stereo: Mellow in the daytime: soul, Dylan. More upbeat in the evening: contemporary pop and hip hop.
- Opening times: Mon–Sat 11am–1am; Sun 12.30pm–1am
- Capacity: 90
- Largest group: 30
- Open since: 2001
- House wine: £11.50 per bottle
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With a name that means ‘book’ it is hardly surprising Biblos has gone for the decadent library theme. Leather Chesterfield sofas, wingback chairs and dark wood abound, and, in case the point still hasn’t hit home, they even have small pictures of famous authors dotted around. What is surprising is that there aren’t any actual books to be seen. What you do get is ostensibly a gutted hardback book with a menu rather than a story nestled inside. There are some very appealing dishes: chicken breast stuffed with haggis and wrapped in bacon with creamy mashed potato, wild mushroom and truffle oil risotto, not to mention the Scottish salmon fish-cakes. The food is a little like the décor, in that while reaching for a certain style and standard it lacks any real heart. Heart can be found elsewhere in Biblos, however: the staff are friendly and there is a genuinely relaxed mood about the place that makes it an attractive weekend brunch venue, just right for a drawn-out dining experience. Just remember to bring your own reading material.
- High point: The food is tasty…
- Low point: … but not as tasty as you’re led to believe
Reviews of Biblos (1 Chambers Street, Edinburgh)
- 5. Loca413, Edinburgh – 26 October 2010, 9:37pm
BiblosReport -
Went here again today after vowing not to go back before. Now I remember why. A simply mozzarella, sundried tomato and pesto panini except it wasn't mozzarella it was mild orange cheddar. If they've run out why not just say?
My friends food didn't look any nicer, chicken pomodoro and the vegetable gratin, all obviously nowhere near "fresh." The only thing I would say in its favour was that the coffee was really nice and the waitress pleasant.
- 4. Al_edin, Edinburgh – 16 October 2010, 4:40pmBiblosReport
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Went for lunch on Sunday a couple of weeks ago. Phoned to book but told they wouldnt take reservation as they were quiet, turned up and busy which was annoying. Service was lousy, no offer of drinks of menu, had to go to bar. Menu very limited and food took 30 minutes to arrive.
- 3. scarlet a, edinburgh – 4 February 2010, 11:49amBiblosReport
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http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/scotland/Bar-fined-2000-after-out.5859807.jp
kind of wish I never ate here after reading about having severely out of date food in the kitchens
not going back
- 2. Derek Williams, Edinburgh – 23 July 2009, 1:41pm
BiblosReport -
Any time I have eaten there, I have found the standard of cuisine to be well above what one would normally expect from a pub, coupled with very friendly service. I have, for example, had salmon with a delicious sauce, imaginative preparation and presentation of food, e.g. salad, creamed soup, range of desserts, reasonable price, good choice of wine, upstairs area for group parties, and the cost is especially good value on the student deal. Even without that, I would still happily eat/drink there at the drop of a hat.
I am amazed by the 'deep frying' comment of correspondent 'XYY' above - I can only guess that he must have ordered something deep fried! Biblos certainly did not deep-fry my salad, oven-baked/steamed salmon, dessert, wine, liqueur or coffee.
Speaking for myself, I can only recommend of this bar/restaurant in the most satisfactory terms.
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