Monteiths Reviews Summary

Atmosphere & Decor

Pros:

• "The décor is contemporary Scottish and the overall atmosphere was relaxed but with a good wee buzz."
• "The atmosphere is cosy, the food was really good."
• "A lovely little hidden place away from the hustle and bustle of the high street."
• "Really nice setting having a 'drawing room' feel."
• "Once inside, we were delighted to see a cozy, dim-lit restaurant with hipster, lodge-type decor."
• "It's very warm and cosy inside with a real mismatch of furniture that just works."
• "The place is not very big it’s small and cute."

Cons:

• "Unfortunately not quite right venue is small feels like a hotel lobby bar inside no cost corners just bog standard tables and layout."
• "It was disappointing that we were presented with the bill because our time at the table was used up, even though there were other empty tables and we were spending generously."
• "We felt the restaurant was a little too warm and stuffy."
• "Space was a bit small and crowded and music was jarringly loud."
• "One room with no partitions so very noisy and nothing on walls to muffle sound."
• "It lacked an atmosphere I know this place could have."
• "Pretty place but its appeal stops there."

Service

Pros:

• "We were greeted by a friendly member of staff and asked if we wanted a drink at the bar before going to our table for dinner. (Nice touch)."
• "Our waitress was incredibly attentive, but not in your face, and she made every effort to make our experience an excellent one."
• "Staff were nice and friendly and food came out hot and quite quick."
• "The service was really professional and friendly, and the atmosphere was pleasant."
• "Staff was so very friendly, provided great recommendations, and wonderful service."
• "The staff went beyond when our table number increased at the last minute and were very apologetic on our table position due to its proximity to a Christmas party."
• "The service was outstanding. Especially Sean made this evening truly memorable."

Cons:

• "Service was very slow, e.g. we arrived at the bar for a pre-meal drink, the bar staff didn't take our order for 45 minutes."
• "Slight downfall was the service. The staff weren’t as knowledgeable as expected for this type/level of restaurant."
• "Service was good quality, albeit slow, the quality of the food won’t disappoint."
• "The waitresses were quick but could have been more helpful and politer."
• "Service from our waitress seemed a little off for some reason."
• "After we got to our table the waitstaff did not communicate with us."
• "The service was atrocious. We had to wait ages to be served and waited a long time between courses."

Food & Drinks

Pros:

• "Really good food served in a relaxed, modern environment."
• "The food is always first class and the staff are always friendly."
• "The cocktails we had were exceptional. So tasty and complex."
• "The food was honestly fabulous and well worth the money, the cocktail and wine selections were large and the cocktails we tried were definitely new to us."
• "The cocktails were beautiful, one of the rare places which now offer genuine cocktails."
• "Food was delicious! Fresh and very sophisticated flavors and plating."
• "The food was the best meal we've had in Edinburgh this week and very reasonably priced considering the attention to detail and artistry in the presentation and flavour of both the mains and side dishes."

Cons:

• "Both the Heathers Old Fashioned and the Nettle Gimlet were sickly sweet…"
• "Just bear in mind that everything here is very generously buttered."
• "The food is (expensive and).... Salty....the cook should leave the salt shaker at home."
• "Although my rib eye steak was cooked well it was not a good cut of meat and filled with sinew."
• "The Shackleton whisky has an interesting back story, but not worth the £15 price tag."
• "Mussels were great. Ribeye was cooked perfectly but not great quality and lacking in flavor."
• "The lobster felt very small and the ‘chips’ did not feel worthy as a side."