Restaurant review: Teuchters, Dock Place, Edinburgh

By HANNAH MILTON
Published on 31/03/2012 13:20

GIVEN the unseasonably warm weather recently, it was impossible not to take advantage of a restaurant with extensive outside seating.

With the floating dock as well as land-based tables for those without sea legs, Teuchters in Leith is perfect for a day in the sunshine.

As the seasonal oysters were available, we shared a half-dozen to start (£9.95). Served traditionally in shells on ice, the oysters from Loch Creran, Argyll, came with a shallot vinegar and Tabasco or wasabi paste on the side. Delicious and unquestionably fresh. To follow I chose a half-pot of Shetland blue-shell mussels with hand-cut chips and bread. I was glad I had only ordered a half portion. The sauce was slightly lacking in depth and the bread was a tiny bit too crusty but overall a delicious meal perfectly complemented by a small glass of white Rioja (£5).

There are options for the smaller appetite, with many dishes – including The Black Isle Blonde lager battered haddie fillet with hand-cut chips and tartare sauce – coming in small (£6.95) or large (£11.95). My partner was lured in by this and was not disappointed. The fish was light and delicately flaky and the chips both crunchy and fluffy. A word of warning however, the large really is large. This was accompanied by a beer from the extensive range. After a break, my partner chose coffee and honeycomb pannacotta with a crunchy pistachio topping and I had a warm chocolate and berry brownie with vanilla ice cream from the daily dessert menu (£5). Both beautifully presented, the Pannacotta was outstanding.

Teuchters has everything but Michelin-style dining covered and is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

• Teuchters, 11/1 Dock Place, Edinburgh, 0131 554 7427, www.aroomin.co.uk.