Blonde
- Telephone 0131 668 2917
- Food served Mon 6–9pm; Tue–Sat noon–2.30pm, 6–10pm; Sun noon–2.30pm, 6–9pm [Extended in Festival].
- Average price £12.90 (set lunch); £18 (evening meal)
- Website www.blonderestaurant.co.uk
Jump to articles or comments (7)
The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.
Generous platefuls, unfussy service and a cheery neighbourhood vibe make this bistro a pleasant choice to while away a weeknight, and the large street-level windows and hurried comings and goings of the area’s students and young professionals provide effortless distraction. However, while the functional pine furniture and neutral colour scheme might sound chic, Blonde lacks that extra touch of individuality that makes a house a home. Busier evenings bring a cheery hum, aided in part by a thoughtful, reasonably priced wine list, adding warmth and colour. Like the interior, the food could do with a gentle caress to capitalise on its potential. Bold flavours and the odd off-kilter pairing certainly make for an intriguing menu, but the kitchen’s efforts to produce smart, balanced dishes don’t always succeed. Well-cooked Moroccan-spiced chicken is overwhelmed by a fiery jalapeno sour cream, for example, while venison and chocolate casserole is pleasant enough but reneges on the promised cocoa hit.
- High point: Welcoming local bistro that’s not afraid to try new things
- Low point: Lacks consistency
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 8
- Private dining: Up to 14 covers
- Provides: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Free wi-fi
- Music on stereo: Nothing
- Capacity: 70
- Largest group: up to 70
- Open since: 2000
- House wine: £12.95 per bottle
Reviews & features
Neighbourhood watch: Newington, Edinburgh
27 May 2011
A guide to the ares of the Scottish capital dominated by Edinburgh University
What’s it like? Okay, we’ll get the inevitable out of the way first. There are a lot of students living in Newington. And while we know some of our readers aren’t that keen on students, their presence does imbue the area with a certain bounce and life…
Comments & ratings
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7.
lou746 – 20 Aug 2010, 4:16pm
Blonde
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This is the first visit to this restaurant and we really enjoyed the experience. They have the right balance of choice for non-meat eaters and true veggies. My husband enjoyed the meat choices too!Approx 9 mains to choose from, 3 of each; veggie,fishy,meaty. Lovely salads and some effort put into the dishes with lot's of fresh ingrdients - not a packet chip in sight! See their sample menu for an idea of what's on offer. Tofu was a lovely choice for me and I had a filo parcel main with really tasty couscous(which can be bland), but was packed with flavour. Puds were yum! We shared the banoffee and flour free choc cake. Light as a feather compared to the always filling banoffee. Really nice staff too, attentive without feeling rushed considering this is the middle of the Edinburgh Festival. Will be back for seconds.
- 6. lou746 – 20 Aug 2010, 4:15pm Report
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This is the first visit to this restaurant and we really enjoyed the experience. They have the right balance of choice for non-meat eaters and true veggies. My husband enjoyed the meat choices too!Approx 9 mains to choose from, 3 of each; veggie,fishy,meaty. Lovely salads and some effort put into the dishes with lot's of fresh ingrdients - not a packet chip in sight! See their sample menu for an idea of what's on offer. Tofu was a lovely choice for me and I had a filo parcel main with really tasty couscous(which can be bland), but was packed with flavour. Puds were yum! We shared the banoffee and flour free choc cake. Light as a feather compared to the always filling banoffee. Really nice staff too, attentive without feeling rushed considering this is the middle of the Edinburgh Festival. Will be back for seconds.
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5.
acmm – 16 Jan 2010, 12:01pm
Blonde
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We have been to this restaurant twice and really enjoyed the food, beautifully presented and the service was excellent I have recommended it to friends
- 4. acmm – 16 Jan 2010, 11:54am Report
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We have been to this restaurant twice and really enjoyed the food, beautifully presented and the service was excellent I have recommended it to friends
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3.
MattB – 4 Dec 2009, 11:42pm
Blonde
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The best eaterie in Edinburgh by a country mile- never lets me down, always reliably excellent I would take anybody there at any time.
Average rating /5 from 5 reviews of Blonde.
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