After a little wander around the Old Town, as part of the training regime for our upcoming Pennines Challenge, I stopped in at the Holyrood Coffee Shop, to pick up a quick soup and wrap lunch.
Interior
The place has a simple set-up, with room for around ten people to sit-in at bright window shelf seating, but with the majority of business being done as takeout. Their menu is simple and straightforward, with quite a nice range of wraps, freshly made to order.
They had two soups on offer, from which I chose the spicy chicken over the leek and potato. I opted to pair this with a chorizo and haloumi wrap.
Soup
As my wrap was prepared, with the haloumi nicely charred on the grill, and my soup ladled from the cauldron, I took a seat at one of the windows, and watched the world go by.
The counter man, working alone, did a really effective job of managing the queue, while items were prepared for a succession of people. My wrap was quickly ready, and I was soon toddling towards the office.
Wrap
I started with the soup, which proved to be well stocked with chunks of chicken and an assortment of vegetables. I would have called it a spicy tomato and chicken, but that was the only minor quibble with what was a rather enjoyable soup.
The wrap was similarly good, with a lightly toasted casing holding good flavour from the main elements, and nice, crisp textural variance from salad leaves and cucumber. I was very pleased with it.
So overall, the Holyrood Coffee Shop keeps things simple, manages things efficiently and effectively, and offers pleasing dishes for the luncher on the run. I can imagine that it will do brisk business during festival season, as it’s quite neatly placed in between some major venues and the train station and city centre. Next time you’re passing, do pop in, as it’s a good wee place.
Scores
Blythe scores Holyrood Coffee Shop
3.5/5 for food
3/5 for presentation
3/5 for setting
3.5/5 for service
giving an overall 13/20
Today’s quester was: Blythe
I ate: spicy chicken soup; haloumi and chorizo wrap
I drank: nowt
I wore: red dotted tie
Total bill: £5.65
