ExteriorLa Barantine in Bruntsfield has long been on my list of places to visit, but when I’ve tried to go there it has invariably been completely full, as it’s very popular. It came as no surprise to hear they were opening a new shop on Victoria Street. It’s much more on my routine flight-path so …

Blythe’s Verdict I’d been eyeing the arrival of the Caffeine Drip, a South African cafe and bakery on Queensferry Street, for a wee while, so was glad to find the opportunity for a visit, just a couple of weeks after it opened.Exterior With their takeaway shop open from 7.30am and the downstairs cafe open until …

SoupI’d had the considerable privilege to visit L’Institut Francais on Randolph Crescent earlier this year, for the press launch of Budding Chefs. What I wasn’t aware of was that they had a little cafe/bistro, Le Bistrot, hidden away in their double basement. After having run in to Vincent Guerin on arrival and had a little …

MJ’s Verdict On a warm day a couple of weeks ago, BKR and I decided to meet up for lunch at the new Portuguese bakery, Casa Amiga, down in Leith. I’d had my eye on the place for a wee while and even stopped to stare into it like a lost person the evening I …

In a moment of calm before the storm of the Festival was upon us, I took the opportunity for some lunchtime reflection in the Undercroft Cafe at St Andrew’s and St George’s church on George Street.Soup and bread I was joined in this enterprise by Arlene, who’d previously quested to La Lanterna, amongst other places. …