Come to La Garrigue and sample the flavours of the Languedoc, in the South of France. Beat the credit crunch with our special offers. If you bring a party of four, or more, for either lunch or dinner your own meal will be "on the house". Sample the deep South's food, its terroir wines and the warmth of its welcome.
Abstract
This restaurant allows online bookings.
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- Food served: Tue–Sat noon–2pm, 6–10pm. Closed Sun/Mon.
- Bar open: Tue–Sat noon–midnight. Closed Sun/Mon.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 14
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Live music
- Music on stereo: Jazz
- Capacity: 62
- Largest group: 60
- Open since: 2007
- Average price 2 courses:
£12.95 (set lunch)
£32 (evening meal) - House wine: £18 per bottle
This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2009 – in the shops now or buy online.
Just round the corner from the Lyceum Theatre, and a world away from the bustle of Lothian Road, Abstract is a little oasis of cultured cool, serving both as a relaxed cocktail bar and a rather refined restaurant. The bar area is complete with low lighting, piano and assured, yet cryptic, brush-stroke prints on the wall. The restaurant echoes the design of the bar, with more prints – part Rorschach test, part alien alphabet – on the walls, the same low lighting, and a choice of broad or smaller faux-snakeskin-covered tables. Once comfortably seated, consider the rather unwieldy menu and the encyclopaedic wine list. There is a seven-course tasting menu extravaganza, an a la carte and a cheaper Market Menu. A la carte starters include small cubes of soft sashimi tuna with a sweet, white-pepper-hot wasabi ice-cream, or a slightly over-generous helping of foie gras 'au torchon'. Mains offer a beautifully meaty and smoky roast monkfish tail with lardons and a Bourguignonne sauce, or some soft, pink rounds of beef with an oyster croustillant. Desserts are of equal quality, but a re-imagining of the apple crumble falls rather short of its classic, if rustic, roots.
- High point: Fine dining without the frou-frou
- Low point: It isn't always wise to meddle with the classics
The LIST Card C12
This restaurant offers the standard 2-for-1 LIST Card promotion for:
Lunch: Tue, Wed, Thu
Dinner: Tue, Wed, Thu
Exclusions: Public Holidays
Remember: book by phone (0131 229 1222) and ask for a LIST Card booking.
The LIST Card is a dining scheme that gives you promotional two-for-one offers at a range of restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond. Find out more.
Comments
- 1. R Dineen, Edinburgh – 15 May 2008, 10:49amReport
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Have been to Abstract and it is great for ladies who lunch or people who wish to experience "top notch" food served in an attentive manner.
The List highlight this restaurant as Scottish... i woudn't say it was Scottish more French inspired.
Was served by three different waiters even before we had our pre starter. Can be over the top but some people like that.
It was an experience and the food fantastic but not an experience i would do often.
- 2. Rulou, Edinburgh – 26 September 2008, 6:09pm
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Enjoyed a first rate, special occasion meal here recently. The food was absolutely wonderful, the service attentive and the wine was both well-recommended and affordable. We chose a Michelin-starred venue last year which was disappointing, Abstract knocked spots off it in every regard. Of course it was all the better for the List card reduction. I would heartily recommend as a venue for a special night out. I will definitely be going back to try the fixed price lunch.
- 3. Nina, Edinburgh – 24 December 2008, 1:12pmReport
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The food was fantastic and the service was impeccable.
It was a great experience at a cost but very much worth it. Great venue which I would recommend for special occasions. - 4. Nina, Edinburgh – 24 December 2008, 3:40pmReport
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Oops forgot to give star rating with comments above!
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