The Storytelling Café

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses: £8
• House wine: £12.50 per bottle

• Hitlisted
• High point: Creative menu
• Low point: Bold flavours won't suit everyone
• Food served: Mon-Sun 10am-6pm (closed Sun in winter months)
• Open since: 2006
• Also offers: Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access, Take away

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

Situated in the revamped Scottish Storytelling Centre, this well-appointed café holds more than a few surprises. The relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere belies the mastery at work on the menu. The headings may say salad and sandwiches, but the food on your plate deserves far more grandiose titles. Combinations such as smoked bacon, blue cheese, pear and walnut, and beetroot, caper and mozzarella tell you that owner and chef Richie Alexander (who also runs Spoon, around the corner) takes his work very seriously. If, however, you'd rather soak up the literary atmosphere with more simple fare, then visit between 3-6pm for their afternoon tea, featuring a selection of scones, muffins and tarts. The home-made cakes - especially the light and tangy lemon cheesecake - taste good at any hour. The breakfast menu is also worth getting out of bed for, with pastries, bacon rolls, waffles and organic cereals on offer. Those visiting the café with children will find the storytelling court, with its myriad cupboards, a great distraction, and the kids' picnic bag sufficiently simple for young palates. And if your body's in need of some TLC, the fresh fruit smoothies are bursting with goodness and flavour.