][1]Not normally one for delayed gratification, the 5pm blog is not going on holiday until much later in the year.
While my fur might not feel the warmth of Spanish, French or Asian sunshine this summer, there is no reason for my taste buds not to go wandering.
The beauty of Edinburgh is that all the major world cuisines are represented here along with many of those which are less well known.
Stay home, eat global
The huge array of restaurants also means that diners can taste foods from places where they might not necessarily want to go. I’ll happily eat the Sudanese food at The Nile Valley Cafe but don’t fancy visiting that troubled part of the world right now.
Tapas
Friends have been taunting me that within a week they will be eating in the tapas bars of San Sebastian. I am, of course, jealous but aim to console myself with a trip to the white-washed walls of Tapa in Leith and the thought that Ryanair won’t be getting any of my hard-earned this summer.
You might want to take a peek at the ‘Los todos’ 5pm offer at Tapa. £40 buys two people a glass of Cava each, four tapas to share, a bottle of £17 red Rioja, churros to share and two regular coffees. ‘Olé!’ as they say in Sevilla.
Oui, oui, oui
It’s also been a while since I set foot in France. Happily, L’escargot Bleu is just a ten minute walk from my flat and serves better French provincial food than many a restaurant in France’s provinces. Or indeed Paris. Their £12.90 two course lunch/early evening menus is one of Edinburgh’s best priced culinary gems.
][5]Spice up your life
Earlier in the year, Mr and Mrs 5pm blog had been talking of going to India. It turns out that we are not. Instead, we may journey to the subcontinent of Leith and pull up at Britannia Spice.
This well established and award-winning Indian has the advantage of also serving food from Thailand, Nepal, Bengal and Sri Lanka. Whether you want a Himalayan momo; Thai panaeng curry or Bangladeshi fish dish, the nautical-themed Britannia Spice can provide. This is one restaurant that can help customers save on a lot of air tickets.
They are currently running a belter of a 5pm offer: £29.95 per couple for 2 courses from the a la carte menu, includes a Cobra beer or a glass of house wine each. Offer is for any starter up to the value of £5 each plus any main dish from the alc up to the value of £12.95.
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