Maison Bleue has been a popular Edinburgh eating place for a number of years now, and boasts a prime location on the exquisite Victoria Street at the heart of the Old Town. Even on a post-festival Monday night, there is a healthy buzz and plenty of busy tables. It is an intimate atmosphere- low lights, heavy dining furniture and plenty of couples leaning over candles, safe from the dreary Scottish night.
"Le Banquet Bleu" seems a good value option, with three courses for £25 and plenty of choice in amongst it. To start, the beer-battered haggis balls are a little soggy but arrive with a healthy dollop of clapshot potatoes (mashed potato and swede, so do not expect a taste explosion). The camembert fondue is a generous portion in a crispy filo basket. The duck leg confit is a conservatively-sized limb, but flakes off the bone satisfyingly. The skin would benefit from a bit more crunch and the gruyere mash and port reduction are bland. The saffron rissoto has a beautiful yellow glow, but the rice is a little too al dente and stiff. Again, it lacks a depth of flavour and is under-seasoned. Luckily, the sticky toffee pudding saves the day, with teeth-clinging reassurance.
Maison Bleue will no doubt remain busy- not bad for a tourist trip, but locals will know better.
Saturday, 18 September 2010
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