I’d had La Petite Mort on the radar for a review visit since we’d held Scran Salon there at the start of June. I took the opportunity on a busy Friday night to put them through their paces.

I was joined by regular guest quester Frances, who most recently joined at Credo.

After a pint in Bennet’s, through which you can access the restaurant (or you can come in directly via Valleyfield Street), we took our seats at a table right next to the traditional wooden bar. The place was buzzing but had a relaxed and welcoming vibe.

The menu was focussed and had an assured feel to it. Frances opened with seasonal asparagus topped with a poached egg, while I chose the scallops with smoked halloumi, which they smoke in-house. We opted for the pork and lamb dishes to follow, with the determination of who would eat what to be made when they arrived.

We were both impressed with the starters. Frances’ was a simple dish, executed very well. Mine brought a good balance of flavours, with the cheese packing enough smoke to make its point but not overpower the scallops.

Mains were to a similarly impressive standard. Frances ended up with the lamb and was pleased with it, although the look and texture of the pea and mint spaetzle wasn’t right. However the flavours were spot on, so the dish still worked well.

My pork comprised two good chunks of loin atop a potato fondant, a suitably fall-apart piece of cheek on wilted spinach, and a pulled pork sausage roll, which I’d tried at Scran Salon. This was smart and accomplished cooking.

I rounded things out with a good cheeseboard, which showcased some tasty local cheeses to good advantage, then we had very good Mr Eion espressos to finish.

So overall, La Petite Mort was both very good and meets a clear gap in the market for this type of restaurant in this neighbourhood, not least to serve the pre- and post-theatre needs of the King’s, which is just next door. They will need to make sure their short menu regularly changes, but given its current seasonal make-up I’m sure that will be the case. I’d recomend a visit as I’m confident you’ll be impressed.

Scores
Blythe scores La Petite Mort
4/5 for food
4/5 for presentation
4/5 for setting
4/5 for service
giving an overall 16/20

Today’s questers were: Frances, Blythe

We ate: scallops and smoked halloumi; asparagus and poached egg; lamb with pea spatzle; three ways pork

We drank: water, red wine, espresso

We wore: typical black, typical pink

Total bill: £58.70