Abstract

We went to this restaurant on a Saturday evening- not to be recommended. We arrived at 8.00pm for an 8:30 booking, we had to wait 20 minutes before even been offered drinks. Eventually someone came to take our order, but it took over an hour for us to be shown to our table at 9:30. Still no food by 10:00 and had to complain, food eventually appeared the slow cooked egg was a bit of a joke as we were told it takes 36 hours to cook it!! when in actual fact it was just a boiled egg (sorry chef)

We had to wait a further 25 minutes before the main course appeared. The presentation and taste was absolutely superb, but not unfortunately worth the time it took to come to the table.

It was a shame that they didnt get their act together as it really could have been a memorable meal but we remember it for all the wrong reasons. We would go again but perhaps we will book for 5:30 in the hope we might be able to eat at 8!!
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breakwater
Sunday, May 18, 2008

My partner and I have been to abstract twice now, and we would not hesitate to go again. The lunch offer (3 courses for £17) is fantastic value, probably unmatched anywhere else in Edinburgh. The food was uniformally excellent, not just perfectly cooked and presented but genuinely exciting as well. Service was impeccable, and even at one o'clock on a saturday afternoon the place was filling up. The maitre d' told us theyre having trouble getting enough custom here, that's a real shame because I think this is an underrated gem.
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Richard Wilson
Saturday, April 19, 2008

Been 4 times now to Abstract, don't think we'll be back though I'm afraid. First experience was fabulous, everything was perfect, enjoyed the tasting menu and as they had recently opened it was fairly busy with a good atmosphere.

The last few visits we've noticed a drop in service and atmosphere (it's fairly quiet). 3 courses and a few bottles of wine can turn into a fairly expensive evening circa £100 each, (worth mentioning we felt the sommelier was always pouring wine in our glasses so we'd be encouraged to buy more!
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Cath
Thursday, March 27, 2008

This review can be short and sweet! On Friday Dec 21st friends and I had an excellent meal at Abstract. The menu was extensive, the food was wonderful, and the staff, without seeming obtrusive, were very attentive and pleasant.

Highly recommended!
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MARGARET THOMSON
Sunday, December 23, 2007

Since there are no other reviews for this fairly new restaurant, and I had quite an amusing lunch there fairly recently I feel inclined to give my commments.

Being a bit of a foody, and after seeing its sister restaurant in Inverness on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (but for the great reason of being too posh and French; brilliant!) I was exited about the prospect of eating at Abstract. Being a poor student I could only afford the lunch menu which was pretty reasonable, 12.95 for 2 courses, 18.95 for 3, considering main courses on the evening menu cost at least £22 and were way beyond the reaches of my loan.

When I arrived late and substantially hungover from the night before, the rigid female maitre'd was looming over my incredibly nervous date who was not prepared for such a formal lunch. It seemed the task of negotiating such a high class establishment without serious social embarassment had begun. Cue waiters pushing in your seats for you, a champaign trolly, a bread waiter etc.

We got a plate of amuses each before we ordered, which had a shot of beetroot soup, a tar tar of raw fish and a single de-shelled muscle in a tomatoey sauce. All served at room temperature, i cant think of 3 worse things to eat on a stomache still recovering from a serious binge the night before. This combined with the embarassment of having to suck the soup through a straw in front of 5 waiters in an otherwise empty room provided for an amusing start to the meal.

Three choices of bread were offered and the accompanying butter placed with part of the wrapper left on as if to say 'this is very fancy butter'. And it was admittedly rather tasty. Starters arrived; I had a terrine of chickin, fig and parma ham, my date I think a fishy soup type thing. Mine was disappointing, bland with an unpleasant texture from the fig, the accompanying pickled cauliflower tasting exactly of that- vinagery and a bit out of place. Fishy thing was much nicer.

Main courses were much better; Trout with pea puree for me- perfectly cooked with a number of interesting condiments. The 7 hour braised lamb was delicious served with a celeriac mash and an amazing piece of fried bread which had an intricate baroque pattern of capers and herb roots (the point of which still escapes me but it was nice to look at). All dishes were delivered with a long winded description- unfortunately incomprehensable due to the thick French accent. Between courses, the table was brushed down, napkins refolded and cutlery reset which really breaks conversation and distracts you from having a good time.

We passed on dessert, the two choices (including fresh fruit 'minestrone') didnt appeal. So we asked for the bill, which required a new waitress to take- i think in all we needed about 5 staff to take care of us, a bit rediculous. But she was very nice and for once had a laugh with us which, if it had happened at the beginning of the meal, wouldve made the experience far more relaxed.

In total the bill came to around £35 for a bottle of water, glass of orange juice, glass of red wine and 4 courses and im pretty proud of keeping it that low. You could end up spending a small fortune there if you dont exercise my level of thrift.

After an embarassing incident getting my coat back, we left laughing at how many faux-pas' we might have made. In all it was very good food, i imagine it will be reciecing a michelin star soon, and it was an enjoyable experience despite being overly formal.

It was just so quintessentially and brilliantly French.
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Nick
Friday, April 06, 2007