Stravaigin Café Bar

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £11.95 (set lunch)
   £15 (evening meal)
• House wine: £12.95 per bottle

• High point: Cosy and casual
• Low point: Waiting for a table
• Food served: Mon–Fri 10am–10.30pm; Sat/Sun 11am–10.30pm
• Bar open: Mon–Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 12.30pm–midnight
• Open since: 1995
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Takeaway, Pre-theatre menu

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008
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The café bar, located above the main restaurant in Gibson Street, is the most informal eatery in the popular Stravaigin stable of venues. Rustic ambience is everywhere; exposed stone walls, distressed wooden tables jammed in tight, fairy lights tangled through iron railings and candles that flicker in the shadowy atmosphere. It's an alluring place and the perfect backdrop for the relaxed, haute-boho crowd that likes to linger over brunch, lunch or dinner. The menu has a globe-trotting feel with a collection of familiar appropriations from America, Britain and Asia, as well as some more refined specials that rely commendably on first-rate Scottish ingredients. The Egyptian dukkah platter, brimming with slabs of bread to dip in the tasty oil and spicy nut mixture, is a great starter to share. For mains, the classic beer-battered fish supper comes with the chunkiest maris piper chips and real tartare sauce, while the aromatic vegetable curry packs a feisty kick. Desserts are equally satisfying, with the warm brownie drenched in butterscotch sauce or sticky meringue piled high with sweet berries particularly recommended. No bookings and an ever-expanding roster of regulars lead to long queues, and the service can be scattered at times, but that's all part of the charm.