Located on Melville Street, Westroom has always aimed to offer the relaxed atmosphere of a local in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End.
Earlier this year, the decor was given a refresh. While keeping the bar’s warm heart and soul, the colour palette is now perhaps a little cooler.
In fact, you could say that it’s all a little more urban. A little sleeker. The wooden gantry has a new, more contemporary look and the huge mirror that used to be in the front bar has been replaced by a graphic display board which lists drink and food specials.
Fresh menu at Westroom
And, like the decor, the menu has had a refresh recently. At its heart, the menu continues to be based on local, seasonal sourcing. The idea is to provide the ‘Best of British’ with sausage ‘n’ mash; fish ‘n’ chips and black pudding fritters lining up alongside chicken curry.
The 5pm Dining blog toddled along to see what’s cooking at Westroom.
As well as traditional starters, there is a selection of small plates. Ideal for daintier appetites or those who want to graze. Priced between £4 and £5, you can order three for £12 or five for £15.
We chose salt and pepper squid, tempura prawns and haggis bon bons with a vibrant chilli jam. It had all been fried well and each plate had light, crisp and non-greasy batter.
A generous plate of mussels featured fresh and plump molluscs..
This may not have been the most summery of dishes to order but this blogger is a growing lad. The ox was rich and unctuous and tender while the mash was smooth. Traditionalists might quibble that a puff pastry topping does not make a pie.
But let them carp. This was well fired with a crunchy exterior and just chewy, moist interior which mopped up the thick sauce from the ox.
Hot and cold. Salty and sweet. Friable cake and sticky sauce. Sharing was a mistake.
Westroom mixes up a good line in cocktails. We visited on a gorgeous summer evening so a couple of refreshing long drinks seemed appropriate.
We had two drinks. First up, a Venice Spritz made with Aperol, peach essence, passion fruit, lemon, orange and Prosecco. I enjoyed an Elderflower Garden: Hendrick’s Gin, dry vermouth, cucumber, mint, elderflower and soda.
Well chosen wine list
The wine list is short and thoughtful. And it has a few choices which make pleasant deviations from the most well-trodden wine list paths.
We had a glass of Mas Rabell Blanco from Catalonia which had enough acidity to cut through our fried small plates.
To follow, a fruity Merlot from Stellenbosch was a juicy accompaniment to the big beefy flavours of the ox.
The bar staff are happy to go off piste from the cocktail menu if you have any specific requirements. I wanted something big and boozy to go with the brownie. At the same time, I didn’t want any caffeine otherwise I’d have had the Espresso Martini from the menu.
Fussy, eh?
However, this was no problemo. Helpfully, the bar whipped up this variation on the Charlie Chaplin: Havana Seven-Year-Old Rum, sloe gin, sweet vermouth and Cointreau.
Book Westroom via 5pm Dining
If you would like to give Westroom a spin, they run regular offers when booking through 5pm Dining. These change regularly but, for example, book a table for two today and benefit from a 20% discount on food from the main menu.