The Dogs
- Food served: Mon–Sun 11am–11pm
- Children welcome: after 8pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 12
- Also offers: Gluten-free options
- Music on stereo: Unobtrusive to the point of inaudible
- Capacity: 60
- Largest group: 9
- Open since: 2008
- Average price 2 courses:
£8 (lunch)
£13 (evening meal) - House wine: £10.30 per bottle
This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.
Ascending the stairs of this sharply decorated, stylish bistro is a little like walking into a friend's lovely living room for dinner. Stark white walls and simple furnishings are set against pictures of the eponymous dogs liberally scattered around the place. Owner David Ramsden is an established figure on Edinburgh's eating scene and a welcome addition to the more predictable Hanover Street restaurants. The focus here is on honest, locally sourced, seasonal food served in a relaxed manner in friendly, welcoming surroundings. The waiting staff are attentive, helpful and happy to explain the menu or advise on the best options if you can't choose. The menu is extensive, and incredibly good value. Start with the classic combination of goat's cheese and beetroot in a salad with walnuts, or an innovative take on a mushroom risotto, made with pearl barley instead of rice. Main courses are on the diminutive side and could perhaps do with a little more seasoning, but the fish-cake with lemon mayo makes for a light and tasty dish, while poached coley with colcannon shows that this place takes fish sustainability seriously. A delightful iced cranachan is the perfect way to round off the food experience, but the surroundings and atmosphere will undoubtedly lure you into staying for another glass of wine or a coffee or a digestif.
- High point: Great value food in lovely relaxed surroundings
- Low point: Limited choice for vegetarians
Comments
- 1. Dadam, New Town – 26 August 2008, 6:54pmReport
-
We are pretty confused. We ate at The Dogs at the weekend and were left pretty ruffled by the whole experience. The food was not what was expected and to be honest pretty shabby, not at all tasty. We were served by this character resembling the old man out of Steptoe an Son who was incredible rude and not at all funny, just rude, pretty disgusting really. We are confused, as this place was given pretty good write ups and yet it was a third rate experience. Now I may be wrong, but is the chap that runs this place in any way got a direct line to critics and the newspapers?? Don't be fooled by what you read, this place is pretty awful ( or it must have gone down hill like a greased toboggan since the article was written ) and the rudeness of this old man was staggering, not funny, just rude.
Please don't erase this review, in our minds it's a fair appraisal DA - 2. Edinburgher13, Edinburgh – 8 September 2008, 1:11pmReport
-
I believe the guy that owns this place used to own Rogue down Morrison Street / Fountainbridge way, which to nobody's great surprise shut down a few years back. He stated at the time (I paraphrase somewhat) that his cuisine was too far ahead of its time for the people of Edinburgh, but that was a load of rubbish. I ate at Rogue a few times. The food was ok - nothing special - but what really put me off was the proprietor's sheer lack of class and manners, and the fact he outright insulted members of my party when we asked a few basic questions about the menu.
He is indeed, as dadam in comment 1 suggests, a rude, obnoxious and arrogant SOB. The concept of good manners, customer service and being nice to the people who are paying his wages seems to have passed him by. No doubt he has some good pr in operation (there was a decent review in the Observer recently) but I for one would not consider lining this fella's pockets with my hard earned cash again until he starts remembering that the customer is always right.
Avoid like the plague is my advice.....there are far more restaurants in Edinburgh that are more deserving of your custom.
Would be interested to know what other people think. Also, am I right with my belief that he did used to own Rogue? If not I apologise!
- 3. warrenb, Edinburgh – 23 September 2008, 8:02am
Report -
This is most definitely not a place for everyone (as the previous reviews clearly show). However, what The Dogs offers is something a little different, in a very casual and relaxed environment.
Nothing matches in this restaurant, from the chairs, to the candle holders and plates, but that all adds to its unique charm. Add to this several dishes you won't find anywhere else, my pick being an inspired and incredibly delicious Sardines on Toast!
True the service is a little rough around the edges. in fact, scratch that, everything about the place is! However, as I said that's all part of its charm, and a refreshing antidote to the often pretentious Edinburgh scene.
- 4. Boydy, Edinburgh – 26 September 2008, 5:09pmReport
-
I went there only a few weeks ago and it was great. Quirky wee place, fab food for us all and the waiter who we think is the owner in question was busy but very nice and very attentive.
Its a charming place with good wholesome food and I will be going back for sure.
I hope other people have had the same experience as me!
Thanks,
To post a comment you'll first need to log in: Forgotten your password?
Not registered? Sign up – it only takes a minute.
RSS feed of these comments
