Our first drink was at Star Bank in Newhaven, a short walk from our apartment. We holidayed Sunday to Sunday and enjoyed a lovely meal here accompanied by Busy Bee (my half) and Edinburgh Gold (Hubby's pint).
Before our holiday I had looked online at what pubs and restaurants were around, having spotted the Barologist it was a must for a cocktail. My raspberry mojito was so refreshing and disappeared far too quickly. Hubby settled back and enjoyed a double Glenfiddich whisky. Early evening is certainly the time to enjoy a drink or two.
The day was so lovely, both in touring the Castle and the weather we decided to partake in the Friday tradition of a drink 'after work's missing out the work bit. A very refreshing gin and tonic, beer for Hubby, sitting outside in St George's square watching everyone rushing to and fro.
Just across from our apartment was the fish market and what's said to be the best fish and chip shop around. And so our final meal out was a fish supper sitting on the harbour wall, I even had a box of scrats!
Our indulgent moment was enjoying a cream tea on board HMY Britannia. The venue and view was as superb, a moment to remember.
Leith's waterfront, The Shore, is becoming a food and drink hotspot with many fine restaurants including a Michelin Star venue. There's plenty of pubs too including Innis and Gunn Brewery and Taproom. It was quite quiet when we were there as it was early evening after our yacht tour.
Our first rest was at The King's Wark, originally built in 1434, this old building with very thick stone walls was once a Royal Residence. Although served in a Thistly Cross cider glass I had a half pint of Leith Juice, a lovely orange session IPA. Hubby enjoyed a guest ale but we can't remember which one.
My online searching also led to discovering a super wine store. Tucked away from the main streets Great Grog was full of wine from all over the world. It was like being back in a warehouse in France but with more variety. Too much choice we picked a Spanish Wine from Alicante made from Monastrell grapes. It was one to try and we promised to return with the car to buy a 'few' to take home.
The wine was superb, enjoyed one evening at our apartment after a day of exploring the city. It was full of dark cherry flavours with a hint of heaviness, soft tannins yet full bodied and a great finish.
We certainly reached over 10,000 each day whilst exploring Edinburgh which of course means rest stops are important. One such stop on the Royal Mile was the Albanach, a very popular pub. I cannot remember 3the actual beers but they went down well.
We did take a couple of bottles of wine away with us to enjoy on evenings we cooked at home. One such evening we enjoyed a sweet and sour chicken dish acco panied by a bottle of the guv'nor white and finished with a dram of Benriach, a miniature we had also brought with us.
Our Johnnie Walker experience was superb, I really enjoyed my fruity old fashioned an d Hubby liked the Gold Reserve. In the 1820 bar after the tour we had a dram of Knockando and a Morlach, both delicious.
Coffee stops were a main feature too of our tour, I do enjoy my coffee but unfortunately it does vary from place to place. These mugs were very in keeping with our visit to Gladstone's Land with the cafe being on the lower floor of this old beamed property on the Royal Mile.
Whilst in Scotland last September Hubby tired Belhaven Best as most pubs are under the belhaven brand, he didn't really like the flavour, some even tasted of blue cheese. Never to be defeated he had another pint in an Irish pub on the Leith Walk, a long straight road currently closed to traffic for the tramway installation that joins Leith to the City.
This time the pint was good, as was my half of Guinness which was a must as it was St Patrick's Day.
Having made it to Leith, the Leith Walk is just under 2 miles, we decided on dinner at Innis and Gunn Brewery and Taproom. Our burgers were delicious as were the beers. Although they did not do a flight of beers you could buy 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or a pint of any beer from a long list, all brewed on site. I chose a mango beer and a peach beer, both lovely; Hubby tried an IPA and another ale, again both good.
Our final day in the city of Edinburgh was our day to tour the castle, lots of steps and slopes after which we treated ourselves to prosecco, cake and coffee in the castle tea room.
Our final holiday day was rugby Saturday so watching the games was a must. We first popped to Great Grog in the car and purchased a few bottles to bring home, I'll be writing a separate blog about Great Grog wines.
Back to Star Bank we settled ourselves to watch the Wales v Italy game. Of course the sheep hat came too and I finally had a glass of wine after many beer tastings. The score was not to be but we did have a fun afternoon.
So as you can see we had a super time in Edinburgh with plenty of good food, wine, beer and whisky. Until our next visit I'll raise a glass and say 'Slàinte mhath'
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