What Gillian did next...

The Elephant House, Edinburgh

18-11-2008

2 Review(s)     

A must-see for Harry Potter fans out there, the Elephant House hasn't wasted an opportunity to advertise their cafe as the birthplace of the worldwide phenomena.

Yes, it's the legendary venue where J.K Rowling jumped into out of the Edinburgh rain and concocted her hugely successful novels about the boy wizard. So far so good for all you die-hard enthusiasts.

But for those with a disinterest or downright disdain for Harry Potter shouldn't write the Elephant House off as another Edinburgh tourist trap. The cafe is a wonderfully cosy place, perfect for a cup of tea and a pastry, and so relaxed that you can see why it gets the creative juices flowing.

You may not spot Ms. Rowling there these days, but writers like Ian Rankin are also partial to a sit-down at the Elephant House, so the literature buffs of Edinburgh and beyond may spot a well-known face or two (and let's face it, pick up a book of Ian Rankin's and you'll remember him forever - who, apart from Mrs Beckham, poses so much on their own book cover?)

The view of the castle is wonderful, and you're a hop away from Greyfriar's Cemetary - a must-see on a trip to the capital city.

So regardless of whether you love or loathe Harry, give it a try and you may feel the need to escape the rain more often yourself.

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Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh

17-11-2008

8 Review(s)     

Cabaret Voltaire is the long established place on Edinburgh's club scene, and home to legendary nights like Optimo (where anything that can be danced to goes) and We Are...Electric.

It's a cavernous place with stone walls and trendy bars where the purist clubbers can dance to music that defies genre (or so Cabaret Voltaire tell us). The look is a try-hard cool, but the quality of the club nights allows for this fairly well.

The venue is worth a visit; it represents the true Scottish clubbing scene relatively well. While it does not surpass the status of Glasgow's Arches venue, Cabaret Voltaire will always attract revellers, as it should, because of the fantastic club nights and DJs there on a regular basis.

It's also the site of the afterparty for Hogmanay, and since the party in Princes Gardens is world-renowned, the afterparty is nothing short of a mindblowing atmosphere where we Scots can welcome in the bells (and let's face it, we do love a good new year party).

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Pancho Villas, Edinburgh

17-11-2008

2 Review(s)     

For those of you with a hankering for all things hot and spicy, Pancho Villas offer the best quesadillas this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Mexican restaurant is an array of colour and flavour, and the food is wonderful. No longer are Mexican-lovers expected to choose from just fajitas and enchiladas. The menu at Pancho Villas is a delectable assortment of starters for a taste of Mexico, or mains which will fill the greediest of diners. There's a lot to choose from on the dinner and lunch menus and it's not too hard on the wallet, especially when you see the portions.

Then, there's the cocktails. Let's face it, nothing goes down better with a spot of chilli than a cold Pina Colada, and the cocktails here are wonderful.

For a night when a salad just won't cut it, Edinburgh's Pancho Villas is well worth a visit.

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Corn Exchange, Edinburgh

17-11-2008

1 Review(s)     

The Corn Exchange has battled long and hard to compete with the legendary venues of Edinburgh's rival city, Glasgow. The venue is host to some of the biggest music acts to come to Edinburgh, as well as loads of events and conferences.

So how does it shape up in that all-important scoreboard of gig venues?

Pretty high actually.

The Corn Exchange is a big enough venue to house bigger gigs, yet it manages to maintain a sense of intimacy lost in the likes of the Glasgow S.E.C.C. It's less of a musical cavern and more of an assembly hall, but that only adds to the atmosphere for some bands. In fact, it's this atmosphere that has allowed some bands (who will remain nameless) to do things like climb up pillars and cause the havoc necessary to establish true rock and roll credibility.

It may not be the best venue in Scotland, but it's one of Edinburgh's finest and worth the visit.

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Wee Windaes, Edinburgh

17-11-2008

4 Review(s)     

The Wee Windaes restaurant is exactly the kind you expect to find on the Royal Mile. Picturesque view of the mile below? Check. A recognised history in the what's what of Edinburgh eateries? Check.

The restaurant is undoubtedly a place of escape; an old fashioned tearoom with a varied menu and the best people-watching seats in Edinburgh.

The food however, is underwhelming. Having tried the lunch menu one afternoon, I doubt I'd return in a hurry.

The carrot and coriander soup was bland and lukewarm, and the smoked duck salad was greener than Princes Street Gardens...with about the same amount of duck (and for those of you unfamiliar with the area, that isn't good).

The Wee Windaes isn't bad, it just isn't great either.

I'd look elsewhere for a meal, but if you fancy mulling over your thoughts and watching the world go by, it might be a nice place to order a cup of coffee.

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