The Lot

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

Despite its rather grand situation in an old church, which nestles in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, The Lot is a colourful, somewhat unassuming café-cum-restaurant with a lot of charm. The ceilings are high, the colours bright, and people come at all hours of the day to while away the hours among the mismatched tables, drinking coffee, studying or enjoying some wholesome, not-for-profit fare. The home-made seafood chowder is packed with fish and is creamy without being too rich, while the lime and chilli king prawn salad is tasty, albeit rather haphazardly constructed. Mushroom ravioli in a creamy white wine sauce would benefit from a little less liquid, but the coriander and lime chicken is both succulent and light. When it comes to puddings, The Lot makes a big effort to please, and if you can't decide between all the options on offer, why not opt for the taster plate of three of the chef's choices to share? With live jazz playing in the upstairs room several nights a week and displays of local artists' work adorning the walls, this place has a community feel that's rarely achieved this close to the city centre.

• High point: All profits go to charity
• Low point: Early closing makes evening dining tricky

The LIST Card F23

The Lot

The Lot is a bright and friendly bistro in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Upstairs at The Lot is a year round arts and performance venue, and the Lot’s commitment to supporting new artists filters down to the bistro, with regular dinners accompanied by live music, and exhibitions by local artists adorning the walls. This attention to detail is also evident in the food, with a strong emphasis on ethical trading (all tea and coffee is Fair Trade certified) and a satisfying mix of choices that cater for everything from tea and cake to a romantic candlelit dinner.

Fresh and filling soups, yummy home-baking and desserts, the Seafood Chowder and the Chicken Breast with Haggis Mash remain favourites with regulars. New chef Sam Kemmer has also introduced a wider range of flavours, with lighter dishes such as The Lot’s Blue Cheese and Walnut Tart; The Smoked Haddock Fishcake and the Warm Salad of Chorizo, Roast Potatoes and Olives. The A La Carte menu, which changes every two months, carries dishes such as the Wild Mushroom and Tarragon Risotto, and the Whole Baked Sea Bream, with Olive Crushed Potato and Capers. All food is cooked freshly to order and is locally sourced wherever possible.

The Lot is a regular ceilidh and jazz venue, and there’s a specially priced Table d’Hote timed to give dancers and music fans the opportunity to enjoy a nicely priced meal in the bistro before heading on upstairs (available Mon-Sat 12pm-2.30pm and 5.30-8pm. Two courses £8.50, Three courses £10.95).

The Lot also caters for private dinners, parties and weddings, both in the bistro and the venue. For more information see the website.

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