Herbie of Edinburgh

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses: £6

• High point: The fresh taste of quality, home-made food
• Low point: Limited food serving hours at present
• Food served: Mon-Sat 8.30am-4pm. Closed Sun
• Delivery: Corporate clients only. Minimum order of five people.
• Open since: 2006
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of menu), Childrens portions, Take away

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

This review is from the 2007 edition.

Opened in December 2006, Herbie of Edinburgh is owned by the same people who run a takeaway in the West End and gourmet deli in Stockbridge that go by the same name. The latter is a tiny, foodie paradise and the intention here is to bring the same focus on taste, quality and ethics in the sourcing of produce to this larger, airy space where customers can browse, shop and eat. Sit at one of four chunky wooden tables, surrounded by tempting goods, from earthy organic carrots to exclusive, artisan bread and enjoy the sun flooding through the windows onto a polished slate floor. It is clear from the simple menu that love of ingredients is key. Sandwiches such as ham with beetroot horseradish relish, panini of goat's cheese and fresh spinach or mezze platter with hummus, feta, olives and dolmas are all served with salad. A home-made quiche of feta and red onion is bursting with flavour, and the flourless chocolate torte for afters wonderfully decadent. They are still feeling their way into the café market, so, other than breakfast, most food is only served from noon to 4pm. But with a new chef, Campbell Barbee, in the kitchen downstairs, this is definitely a place to watch.