Perched on the western edge of the Bruntsfield Links, ‘The Apartment’ is a charming independent bistro, offering an intimate dining experience and appealing menu to suit all occasions and budgets.
The restaurant balances an elegant, yet welcoming ambiance, with the windows steaming up as the cosy room fills with happy Friday evening diners. Popular for its blend of casual yet fine dining, booking a reservation in advance has become a must.
The à la carte menu is full of creative combinations, including ‘fish of the day with black pudding, saffron mash and roasted apples’ and ‘pork belly with sautéed potatoes, cavelo nero, chestnut mushrooms and onion purée’ as well as traditional flat iron and rib eye steaks.
Daily specials are hand-written onto the menu, adding an intimate touch to the dining experience. The specials included the starter of ‘seared squid with chorizo, lemon, paprika potatoes and garlic aioli.’ The squid was perfectly cooked and the elements were well proportioned, making each mouthful as good as the last. Complemented by a glass of wine, you feel as though you’re sitting in a high end European restaurant, with the option of a 500ml carafe, a welcome import from their continental dining habits.
Although the dishes aren’t specifically marked as vegetarian, vegan or gluten free, there are several options to satisfy such dietary requirements. Additionally, the helpful staff are happy to offer advice and accommodate small alterations to the menu.
The well cooked and elegantly presented meals makes this restaurant the perfect place to take visiting parents. ‘The Apartment’ also has private rooms, which are ideal for birthdays or special occasions as they offer an intimate space that doesn’t feel isolated from the convivial atmosphere that permeates the main restaurant.
Although you don’t need the excuse of a celebration to visit; ‘The Apartment’ offers a ‘Super Supper’ deal between 5pm and 7pm every day, so that you can tuck into two courses for £12 or three for £15. It’s ideal not just for a pre-theatre dinner, but also for students looking to indulge their taste buds without breaking the bank. This smaller, early menu features all the appeal and zing of the main menu, including a ‘tonkabean crème brulée’ and ‘poached autumn fruits with mascarpone and crushed amaretti’ to round off your meal in sweet style.
Their lunchtime selection also offers up vibrant dishes, all under £10, including a colourful ‘summer squash & yellow courgette risotto with courgette pesto, whipped goats cheese and beets’. Their chunky healthy skewers and other dinner dishes including steak and fish of the day can also be enjoyed from 12pm until 5pm, at this tempting lunchtime price.
‘The Apartment’ should really be on your list of restaurants to try out this semester. Step out of the student grind and venture across the Bruntsfield Links to find a restaurant that will lend itself to any occasion or budget as well as well as satisfying your taste buds.
image: A. Wee via flickr