Scott’s in the Park

East Princes Street Gardens, home to the Scott Monument, is transformed into a winter wonderland, each December, when the Christmas market comes to town. For the rest of the year, food needs are generally served by transient ice cream vans, as well as the little kiosk in the centre of the lawns, which has recently been given a makeover, reappearing as Scott’s in the Park.

It’s on my route to work, so I’d pegged it for a visit, having noticed that they offered bacon rolls.

I’m aware that my penchant for pork products, to start the day, isn’t the healthiest habit in the world, but my rationale is that while I’m training for our upcoming 100k jaunt over the Pennines, I can eat with virtual impunity. Rationales are good like that.

For the princely sum of £2.50, Scott’s will furnish you with a bacon roll and a coffee to accompany it. Given I’m in the midst of sampling any and all espressos for the Espresso 100, I was happy to take advantage of this deal.

Their espresso, by Segafredo, was truly appalling. I’ve been getting short instructional talks from the folks at Lock Up Coffee, each weekend, so can report to Ben that this was in the region of a 7 second pour. There’s nothing wrong with Segafredo as a coffee, as you’ll find out when you visit The Third Man, but even the best coffee won’t stand up to this type of abuse.

In better news, the bacon roll was good, with a couple of slices of tasty back bacon served in a soft roll. I topped it with tangy brown sauce from their industrial size help yourself sauce bottle.

So overall, Scott’s could have been better, but given its location as a prime tourist trap, it could have been so much worse. Their bacon roll, though not outstanding, was perfectly serviceable. Their coffee needs a huge amount of work, but mainly the focus should be on training the staff on how to make it properly. Scott’s booth is now very smart, and with the amazing setting in which they’re located, they have an opportunity to improve their offering to better match the sublime surroundings.

Scores
Blythe scores Scott’s
3/5 for food
3/5 for presentation
4/5 for setting
3/5 for service
giving an overall 13/20

Today’s quester was: Blythe

I ate: bacon roll

I drank: espresso

I wore: Turnbull & Asser tie

Total bill: £2.50

Scott’s in the Park
East Princes Street Gardens