Haldanes Restaurant

Simon (3 October 2007)

Haldanes has to be one of the top visits in Edinburgh. It’s right up there with the Edinburgh Castle and Hogmanay. The range of food is pleasantly varied and obviously well thought out. I went for the scallops on a bed of salad and having tasted it, I would instantly recommend it to anyone else who happens to frequent this gem of a restaurant. The main was a tasty set of prime Scotch beef. It was cooked to perfection and bursting with flavours, this is definitely something to be enjoyed slowly with a glass of fine wine. The selection of wines is surprisingly astonishing. With over thousand wines on the menu there is something for every palate, although when we were there, there seemed to be a number of them out of stock but then it is only a medium restaurant. Following that was a course of lemon tart, and a lovely dark chocolate marquise, which was absolutely divine. The staff were very friendly too. They really couldn't do enough for us. Lastly, a fine dram of whisky, I suggest the lagavulin to finish the evening. This is definitely one of the finest restaurants I have been to and if you are in Edinburgh at least once in your life you certainly must visit this little cosy cove. You will not regret it.

Justin (20 April 2007)

This restaurant used to be one of the best in Edinburgh, however in the last couple of years the quality of food and service has taken a dramatic nosedive, however the prices have not dropped to match.

The last time I went I had a very average steak with a half fried mushroom (still raw in the middle), a huge flavourless grilled tomato (sounding like a greasy spoon yet?). The overall quality of the food would be something I would expect to pay no more than £10 for, however the price was up there near the £20 mark.

The staff, once excellent, were impolite, indifferent and uninterested in the food they were presenting, even when they overcharged us by a massive £300 they couldn't even be bothered to apologise, their response "it happens".

I even wrote a letter to the restaurant letting them know (politely) that I thought their food was not up to scratch, but I have received no reply. I hope one day that this restaurant might realise how far it has fallen and buck its ideas up. However, I would have to advise everyone to stay well clear now.

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