Recommended restaurant: Earthy, Canonmills Bridge

By HANNAH MILTON
Published on 14/07/2012 12:11

EARTHY’S newest venture in Canonmills is a real treasure. Recently opened for evening meals, the night I visited, the restaurant had just endured the worst of this month’s flooding. Despite the wet weather, the staff were nothing but sunny and affable, even when the birthday girl set a napkin up in flames.

With Earthy’s strength being its delicious daytime repertoire of sumptuous cakes and organic produce, I was curious to see whether this flair stretched to dinner. I wasn’t disappointed. The menu — only the freshest local produce — changes daily and our starters were beautifully presented on slate. I shared stuffed roast aubergine, balanced beautifully with stilton and walnuts and a smoked salmon and ricotta risotto topped with spring onion, both £6.

Mains were equally appealing, the seared chicken leg and rustic Iberian stew served with a hunk of bread (£12) was tasty and generously portioned. My fellow dining companions raved about their pan fried fillet of trout and sautéed potatoes, while the lamb was proclaimed wonderful — if in need of a little extra harrissa yogurt sauce. A bowl of parsley pesto toscani with goats cheese, spinach and roasted baby plum tomatoes was similarly tasty, though could have been a little warmer.

With filling main courses ranging from £9-£14, we only just managed to squeeze in dessert. Options, priced from £6, included Eton mess, a surprisingly moreish bread and butter pudding and an organic cheese board. The warm chocolate brownie was perhaps a little too boozy, although still delicious.

In all, a fantastic ambiance, great staff, reasonable prices and lovely food.

• 1–6 Canonmills Bridge, EH3 5LF, 0131-556 9696, www.earthy.co.uk