Considering the amount of times I’ve visited for espresso, over recent months, when it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t actually reviewed lunch at Razzo, I felt rather silly.
Exterior
Part of the reason for this oversight is that I did review them when they had their branch on Waverley Steps, so had a good idea of the quality they offered at lunchtimes. Their stylish St Andrew Square branch is the mothership, though, so I was glad to finally get along there, today.
My visit had a twin motivation, as while I was in need of lunch, I’d also had a message from them to say that they had their new espresso, a blend from Alchemy, ready for sampling.
Mushroom soup
As many sensible café owners do, particularly those with constrained kitchen space, Razzo sources their soup from Union of Genius. Indeed, the soup they featured today, their cream of wild mushroom, was the soup I had on the first day that Union of Genius was open, way back in October 2011. It got me all misty eyed.
With the soup, I had a chicken, brie, tomato and rocket baguette. With bread from Dough Re Mi, this was an enjoyable eat, which was nicely elevated by little flecks of fresh red chilli in the mayo, giving things a really enjoyable zing.
Sandwich
The much-anticipated espresso lived up to its billing, as it was a beautifully balanced shot. Owner Paul has an infectious enthusiasm for coffee, which is very much Razzo’s main business. He recognises that his city centre location, with its huge potential for tourist traffic, means that he needs to cater to a breadth of tastes.
Accordingly, this Alchemy blend will likely sit next to their own excellent Extract blend, Extract decaf, and sometimes a fourth option (they’re currently showcasing an Inspector Norse, from Roundhill), to give a really extensive range.
This attention to detail and drive to improve, which can be seen across their range of food, too, is a pleasure to behold.
So overall, I was extremely impressed by everything on offer at Razzo. Their espresso is outstanding, and their food is mighty tasty, too. I’m already a regular visitor, so look forward to trying more espresso varieties, over the coming months. I recommend you pay them a visit, in the very near future.
Scores
Blythe scores Razzo
4.5/5 for food
4/5 for presentation
4/5 for service
4/5 for setting
giving an overall 16.5/20
I ate: wild mushroom soup; chicken, brie and tomato baguette
I drank: water, espresso
I wore: tweed
Total bill: £8.80
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