Omar Khayyam

I'm afraid I had an absolutely terrible experience at this restaurant. I was new to the area and wanted a cheerful lunch by myself reading the paper and enjoying a glass of wine.
When I arrived they had around 20 customers so I thought I'd chosen well. I was seated by a friendly waiter who took my drinks order for a glass of water and a large glass of house red. He gave me both the a la carte and the lunch menu. He returned with my water to take my order. I asked for the meat patty starter, followed by a fish biryani from the a la carte menu. He offered poppadoms while I waited.
When my starter arrived along with my poppadoms I asked if I could have my wine. The request was met with a blank face and the guy just walked off. When I had nearly finished my starter I resorted to putting my hand up to get attention because none of the waiters would even look in my direction. I asked for my wine, which was brought, without apology.
The waiter took my starter plate and returned immediately with my main which had been sitting under the hot plate congealing whilst all the kitchen staff had been outside smoking. I know this because they all trooped past my table staring at me when I was eating my starter. All of them, including the KPs.
The waiter returned after only two mouth full's to ask me if I wanted desert. I said I didn't know because I hadn't finished my main course. He said the kitchen wanted to know because they were closing. I replied that I would have an espresso instead of pudding.
In the mean time all the other customers had paid and left. I was treated to the four front of house staff clearing tables, sweeping up and relaying cutlery very loudly. I thought the experience couldn't get much worse but then the manager turned the music off and all the waiters went outside to smoke.
When a waiter came to collect my plate, an incongruous 10 mins after I had finished, I asked him to skip the coffee and bring my bill. Unsurprisingly the bill was wrong. I explained I hadn't had the espresso and only 1 glass of house red. The waiter sighed and went to change it. I gave him cash when he retured with the altered bill. He didn't bring my change back so I asked him for it. When I was leaving he told me that customers usually left a tip. I told him that when I was in a restaurant I usually got service.
The food was actually quite nice, but rarely have I endured such a stressful and antisocial dining experience. If they did not want me to order from the a la carte menu why give it to me? If the kitchen closes at a certain time, inform me before I order not half way through. Terrible customer service. I have never been in a restaurent where they want me to leave so badly the hurl cutlery around and turn the music off, it's simply inexcusable.

We have eaten at The Omar Khayyam regluarly over many years and have always enjoyed a first class meal. The wide choice of authentic dishes is very impressive, with the regional specialties being outstanding. The quality and freshness of the food is excellent. Together with friendly and attentive service from the staff and the atmosphere created by the recent re-furbishment, this has to be one of the best places to eat in Edinburgh. Well worth a visit !