Epulum

Epulum
121 High Street
Linlithgow, EH49 7EJ
Phone: 01506 844411
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  • Food served: Mon–Wed 9am–5pm; Thu/Fri 9am–9pm; Sat/Sun 10am–9pm
  • Number of wines sold by the glass: 6
  • Also offers: Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Outdoor tables (smokers welcome)
  • Music on stereo: Singer-songwriters
  • Capacity: 20
  • Largest group: 20
  • Open since: 2008
View larger map of EH49 7EJ
  • Average price 2 courses:
     £11 (lunch)
     £11 (evening meal)
  • House wine: £13.95 per bottle
Nominate this restaurant for
The List Reader Award 2010
Eating & Drinking Guide 2009

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2009 – in the shops now or buy online.

Epulum's funky modernism sets it apart in Linlithgow's pretty but occasionally twee High Street, although proprietors An and Michael Bennett did more than fill a market gap upon opening in December. There's integrity between these exposed stone walls which puts many a big city deli-style eatery to shame. An open kitchen inspires confidence, augmented by young and passionate staff who all work full-time (including those waiting tables) and can talk at length about the food's – often local – origins. All-day breakfasts are left to nearby greasy spoons, but there's still a big choice in morning kickstarts spanning gluten-free muesli and salmon Benedict. Sharing platters come in Scottish, Italian or Spanish versions, the first encapsulating Epulum by mixing the reassuringly predictable (salmon, organic Scottish cheddar) with leftfield twists (creamy Criffel cheese, sloe, apple and gin jelly). Thai beef salad comes as a hillock of peppery leaves with a zing suggesting an affinity with South-East Asia; sure enough, the head chef is an Aussie. Cakes are baked inhouse, including an incredibly airy chocolate number, and there's a questing spirit evident even in the drinks, from a Brazilian pinot grigio to “dragon eyes” which unfurl in water to leave green tea.

  • High point: Remarkable integrity and ambition at difficult time for new ventures
  • Low point: Can get noisy, especially by the coffee machine

Comments for Epulum (121 High Street, Linlithgow)

1. suzanne, linlithgow – 29 January 2009, 7:19pmReport

Epulum, says Wikipaedia, is a sumptuous feast, a banquet offered to the Roman God Jupiter. I have now personally feasted in Linlithgow's latest eaterie 3 times - lunch, dinner, afternoon tea - and each time leave more enamoured with this new venture. The food is excellent and offers something much fresher and more interesting than the average and the surroundings and service are immaculate. This food-lover is delighted that Epulum has opened it's doors to the mere mortals of Linlithgow and beyond!

2. catherinerw, Linlithgow – 29 March 2009, 7:55pm(5s)Report

About the best coffee I've ever had!!!

Has been lovely every time I've been; the extremely fabulous chocolate cake lives up to its name.

The only problem is resisting the temptation to have brunch there every Saturday morning.

Definitely deserves to go straight in as a HitList entry immediately.

3. Clarke Ching, Linlithgow – 7 April 2009, 6:07pmReport

I've eaten at Epulum a half dozen times now and I've been delighted every single time. There's a lovely FRESH feel about the food and the service. A pleasure.

4. Outnumbered & Eating It, Linlithgow – 28 September 2009, 9:41pm(5s)Report

The review gets it spot on. A total breath of fresh air on Linlithgow's High Street. To deliver really excellent brunches, lunches & a seasonal dinner menu really is an incredible achievement for such a small place.
The commitment to organic & local produce is impressive since its not wildly expensive (not cheap either, but definitely good value). I've been to a couple of the Slow Food dinners there & they have been excellent.

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