The Lot
This restaurant has ceased trading.
- Food served: Mon–Sat noon–9.30pm; Sun noon—6pm.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 6
- Private dining: 55/90
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Outdoor tables, Live music
- Music on stereo: Easy listening
- Capacity: 55
- Largest group: 90
- Open since: 2004
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the 2010 edition.
Located in a renovated church in the corner of the Grassmarket, the Lot enjoys a prime location for passing trade from nearby hotels and attractions, and boasts a fair few regulars drawn in by the good-value menu. The restaurant also frequently welcomes large groups destined for the busy ceilidh and jazz venue upstairs. Head chef Sam Klemmer makes a big effort to keep prices low without compromising on quality, which means the food is generally wholesome, hearty and tasty, and diners are unlikely to leave complaining about the size of the portions. Starters include an exceptionally rich, creamy and filling seafood chowder, while a generous slab of grainy black pudding is nicely complemented by a warm potato and artichoke salad. Fishy mains include a sweet-tasting baked coley, offset by a bed of tangy baby prawn risotto, while the fish stew in a spicy tomato sauce could do with both more fish and more spice. Service is friendly, good quality half portions are available for children, and there’s a relaxed, informal atmosphere to the whole operation.
- High point: An oasis of calm in the bustling Grassmarket
- Low point: Bland fish stew
The LIST Card F23
This restaurant offers the standard 2-for-1 LIST Card promotion for:
Lunch: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun
Dinner: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Exclusions: Excluding Pre-Jazz meals
Remember: book by phone (0131 225 9924) and ask for a LIST Card booking.
The Lot
The following information has been provided by the restaurant.
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.
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.
Reviews of The Lot (4–6 Grassmarket, Edinburgh)
- 3. JackCosmy, Edinburgh – 22 July 2010, 7:39pm
The LotReport -
Interesting place!
However, if you'd like to have a proper meal don't go there on a Sunday as the menu is limited. Otherwise they have very reasonable prices for 2 and 3 courses meals.
Staff was very friendly.
- 2. deekintheburg, edinburgh – 15 February 2010, 10:49am
The LotReport -
Went here for lunch/snack on sat pm. Ordered two coffees, home made soup, and potato wedges.
The soup came with the smallest roll (no butter) i've ever seen and tasted like Heinz vegetable soup with some baked beans in. The wedges were so saturated with fat and were so hot they had to be microwaved.
cost £12 and overall very poor would not recommend this place for anything but coffee
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