Preacher’s Patisserie

By the time I wandered out of the office on this particular Friday lunchtime, I was feeling rather bedraggled, after a hectic week. Aimless wandering is an excellent cure for bedragglement, I find, so I duly indulged, eventually ending up at Preacher’s Patisserie, on Lady Lawson Street.

Exterior

I’d walked past the place, a few times, but it hadn’t really registered with me, other than that the baked goods in the window looked nicely fresh. It proved to be quite an old school set-up, with hearty and simple fare, prepared to a really pleasing standard.

I opened proceedings with a bowl of lentil soup, which was smartly executed, simplicity itself, and really tasty. I saw mention of stovies, but greater minds got there before me, so it had sold out for the day. Pie and beans was suggested as an alternative, and I was happy to go with that.

Soup

Scotch pies are not to everyone’s liking, what with their grey meat filling, and a tendency towards greasiness, but I rather enjoy a well-made one, and this was a good example. The beans added sustenance to the dish.

I rounded things out with a lovely little cheese scone and a good pot of tea. While I enjoy the giant-sized cheese scones that have become the preferred way, in places like Lovecrumbs and Casa Angelina, it was really refreshing to find a dainty scone with such lightness.

Pie and beans

When I went to pay, I was staggered at the price tag: £5.95. The cheese scone was 60p, with 5p extra for having it buttered. The soup was £1.80 for a really decent sized bowl. That meant that tea, pie and beans came to another £2.50 collectively. That represented impressive value for such a tasty and filling lunch.

Scone

So overall, Preacher’s Patisserie offers really excellent value. It keeps things simple, but the quality is very good, and the cost is very low. Service is welcoming and friendly, with a strong sense that there’s a good crowd of regulars who visit on a daily basis. I’d happily point you in the direction of this place, next time a high value, freshly baked lunch is what’s required.

Scores
Blythe scores Preacher’s Patisserie
4/5 for food
3/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for service
3/5 for setting
giving an overall 13.5/20

I ate: lentil soup; pie and beans; cheese scones

I drank: tea

I wore: tweed

Total bill: £5.95