Amber Restaurant
354 Castlehill,
The Royal Mile
- Food served: Mon–Sun noon–3.45pm; Tue–Sat 7–9pm.
- Bar open: Mon–Sun 10am–6pm; for restaurant-goers only 6–11.30pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 5
- Private dining: 20 or 70
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access
- Music on stereo: Quiet, unobtrusive folk music and easy listening
- Capacity: 40
- Largest group: 80
- Open since: 2004
- Average price:
£14 (lunch)
£27 (evening meal) - House wine: £14.95 per bottle
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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.
Down the staircase, within the Royal Mile’s Scotch Whisky Experience, the pleasant, heavy stone rooms of Amber Restaurant are a welcoming surprise. Knowledgeable bar staff wickedly tempt diners with a vast array of unusual whiskies and other drinks. You could happily spend the entire evening this way if the menu weren't so inviting. Executive chef David Neave has the good fortune that his son Michael, finalist in the Scottish Young Chef of the Year (2010), is firmly at the helm. Despite the ratio of kitchen space to dishes ordered he produces consistent wonders. The roasted pheasant breast remains moist with figs and bacon. The mousse-like smoked salmon and lobster roulade gains verve from a pool of bisquey sauce with Islay whisky. A whole sea bass is enriched but not overpowered by its crab meat filling. The medium rare, tender fillet of Buccleuch beef is everything it should be; you may well have to defend it against the wandering fork of your companion. If you manage pudding, both dark chocolate fondant cake and a creative cheese selection find good company in the many malts to hand.
- High point: A hot young chef makes his mark at the top of the Royal Mile
- Low point: The short menu only rotates seasonally
Reviews of Amber Restaurant (The Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh)
- 1. JF – 20 December 2011, 7:47pm
Amber RestaurantReport -
I attended a Christmas works meal at Amber and was very impressed. I had low expectations, it being a Christmas meal for 18 people, but afterwards everyone was enthusing about the experience. Quite often when serving a large table, restaurant food is lower quality. This was definitely not the case at Amber.
The food was exceptional. I had the pork & black pudding for the main and was stunned. Best piece of pork for a long while.
The service and attentiveness of the staff was exemplary, they were very patient with our table of raucous drunkards.
Many of us have said we'll be going back with our better halves in the New Year for another visit.
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