The lunchtime deal at Bar Napoli has long been a much valued item on the Edinburgh dining scene, given its extreme cheapness and relative high-quality. So, it was with a low-cost song in my heart that I stepped inside this popular venue.
Interior
Today, I was joined by Arlene, who previously quested to La Lanterna, just a couple of doors down the road on Hanover Street.
The restaurant was populated with a good selection of fellow lunchtime revellers, so the atmosphere was lively as we were shown to our seats in the rear section. Full a la carte was on offer, but our attention was focussed on the generous number of selections offered as part of the lunchtime deal.
Caprese
There was a degree of toing and froing between options before we settled upon soup of the day (mushroom) and insalata caprese, to start, then baked pasta for me and cannelloni for Arlene, to follow.
Starters arrived in no time at all. The soup was homemade and of good quality, but served in quite a small portion. It wasn’t the greatest mushroom soup I’ve ever had, but it was far from the worst. The same or similar can be said for the caprese.
Soup
Baked pasta
The main courses were much the same. They were safely, solidly good, although not the bonniest looking dishes I’ve ever seen. My pasta was a pleasing plate of homestyle goodness, offering you a maternal hug to ease your troubles. It was comforting and warm in a way that didn’t overly challenge your tastebuds.
We rounded things out with good coffee, and having completed the meagre pecuniary transaction, we were promptly on our way.
Cannelloni
So overall, Bar Napoli’s lunchtime deal is a reliable offering. Much like Jolly, it’s the kind of place to visit to set you on the road for a day of focussed activity that may or may not involve trips to several local watering holes. Certainly, you get plenty of bang for your buck, with an assuredly safe level of quality in each mouthful.
Scores
Blythe scores the Bar Napoli:
3/5 for food
2.5/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for service
3/5 for setting
giving an overall 12/20
Today’s questers were: Arlene, Blythe
We ate: mushroom soup, insalata caprese, baked pasta, cannelloni
We drank: sparkly water, coffees
We wore: black suit, black top
Total bill: £16.25
