The Scran & Scallie

The creation of not one, but two, of Edinburgh’s Michelin-starred chefs, gastro pub The Scran & Scallie was never likely to disappoint. Couple its top-notch cuisine with its Stockbridge location – one of Edinburgh’s most affluent stomping grounds – and you have a sure-fire winner.

The brainchild of Tom Kitchin, of eponymous Leith restaurant The Kitchin, and Dominic Jack, of Castle Terrace, The Scran & Scallie’s offerings are a world away from filling stodge. Starters include decadent lobster ravioli or fresh oysters with zingy mackerel ceviche. Mains include braised hogget shoulder and daily seasonal specials, such as game pie. There are pub staples, sure, including fish and chips, burgers and fish pie, but each are made to a standard worthy of their prolific owners’ ethos. The warm wood, tartan and tweed furnishings contrast old-world materials with the cool, contemporary wallpaper from Scottish design house Timorous Beasties.

Embracing its self-imposed title as a ‘public house with dining’, time has been taken to create a drinks menu that matches S&S’s flair for food. The draught and bottled beer selection includes cracking breweries from central Scotland all the way up to the Orkney Islands. The wine and whisky menu is equally inspired, so too are the Oor Hoose Cocktails (the Scotch Martini coming highly recommended).

The diners are mostly chattering, well-heeled Stockbridge residents, tourists with bucks to burn or those searching for a whiff of Michelin influence without breaking the bank. The smallish bar area makes a comfortable spot to wait for your table, or enjoy a drink and appraise Stockbridge’s population of yummy mummies – when it’s not full with the weekend crowd, that is. As a handy addition, those with kids should take full advantage of the ‘scallies’ playroom, which sits neatly off to the side of the main dining area.