Ophelia Mar

After a quick trip to Portobello Market, in Brighton Park, I toddled along the High Street to Ophelia Mar, a Portuguese cafe bistro that I’d spotted when I’d visited the nearby Porty Palm Tree.

Previously the home of Butternut Squash, which has since moved round the corner, the premises are much the same as before, with a smart and welcoming feel to them.

The friendly owner counter man quickly brought over the menu and pointed me at the specials board for other options. The lunch menu is quite diverse with homemade rissoles to the fore, then some seafood dishes, and more basic toasted sandwiches. Their a la carte features more traditional Portuguese items. I quickly settled upon giving their feijoada a try.

This was soon with me looking hearty and substantial. It proved deliciously porky eating, with good chunks of slow-cooked meat and generous pieces of sausage in a lovely bean stew. It was warmly spiced and richly satisfying.

There was time left for a nice chat about the poetry of Fernando Pessoa, a favourite of MJ’s, and a multi-persona hero of Portuguese literature. It rounded out a highly enjoyable lunch.

So overall, I was really impressed with Ophelia Mar. It packed in quality and charm, aplenty. It’s good to see the cuisine of Portugal getting a further foothold in Edinburgh, as it holds some memorable dishes. I look forward to future visits.

Scores
Blythe scores Ophelia Mar
4/5 for food
3.5/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for setting
4/5 for service
giving an overall 15/20

I ate: feijoada

I drank: water

I wore: black linen

Total bill: £10.80