Bijou

Bijou

2 Restalrig Road, Edinburgh, EH6 8BN

Telephone 0131 538 0664
Food served Mon–Sat 9am–2.30pm, 5–8.30pm; Sun 10am–2.30pm, 5–8.30pm.
Average price £17 (lunch); £17 (evening meal)
Email
Website www.bijoubistro.co.uk

Jump to comments (8)

Eating & Drinking Guide

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.

Bijou came under new ownership in 2011 but both head chef Alastair Berry and the quirky but useful menu formula of offering most items in bijou, medium or large size have remained. The low-key interior features a sprinkling of café-style tables, a small bar and windows that look out on to Leith Links. These unassuming environs and casual ambience belie greater ambitions in the kitchen, which offers some creative and accomplished cooking. A light, herbal chicken and tarragon boudin in bijou size makes a great starter when paired with creamy leeks and potato rösti. Likewise a comforting cassoulet is porky and rich, with a medium size, at the keen price of £10.95, being ample as a main for all but the stoutest of appetites. Puddings are similarly good; the homemade ice-cream is a highlight. Busy weekend breakfasts, storytelling events and BYOB for £2.50 (not all at the same time, thankfully) are more good reasons to visit this over-achiever and great addition to the local community.

High point: Great food and good prices at this friendly neighbourhood eatery
Low point: Evening food service stops at 8.30pm

Number of wines sold by the glass: 7
Provides: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Outdoor tables, Live music, Free wi-fi
Music on stereo: pop music
Capacity: 20
Largest group: 20
Open since: 2007
House wine: £15 per bottle
BYOB: £2.50 corkage

Comments & ratings

8. Cairnstone – 19 Mar 2012, 1:19pm Bijou Report

Tried the restaurant for the first time last night. Friendly service and excellent food which, together with a couple of gin and tonics and a big glass of wine, came to a modest 50 quid or thereby.

Well done to Alistair for some excellent dishes. A really nice night out.

7. mskerr – 2 Nov 2010, 8:32pm Bijou Report: I often eat here with my husband and 2 young children and i have always found the place wonderful. I wholeheartedly agree that it is indeed a hidden gem! The food is fabulous and i have always found the staff to be welcoming and one girl in particular is always happy to entertain the children and make us feel welcome. Our family favourite has to be the fish and chips and nothing beats a full breakfast on a saturday morning :) Keep it up Bijou!

6. Resident – 1 Nov 2010, 1:13pm Bijou Report: We live locally and eaten here for breakfast lunch and dinner. It is a well loved part of the community and although it is not as slick as it's city centre counter parts the food is equally as good for much less money! We have brought all our friends and family and they love it! I can't understand the previous comments about the fishcakes as my mum raves about them but then I suppose everyone has under par days. To understand the full value of the place I would recommend coming for dinner as the place is cosy and intimate. Just a cute unpretencious wee place.

5. bijou – 31 Aug 2010, 4:10pm Report

We went to the Bijou for my birthday lunch and it was a disappointing experience. Good home made tomato soup but served with a bit of stale dry bread. The fish cakes were tasteless with no hint of fresh fish and looked very unappetising. They were served with some chopped iceberg lettuce that was brown round the edges with a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar. The yoghurt and lemon dressing was passable. The chips were good.

The place looked as if it had seen better days. I cant understand why it is so highly rated as a hidden gem. We wouldn't recommend it!

4. Colleysmill – 9 Aug 2009, 10:58am Bijou Report: We had an evening meal here recently and although well presented the food was a disappointment. Fish cakes were mostly potato and burnt. Steak had the texture of string and all flavour was lost in some obscure sauce, potatoes over salted. All in all very amateur and we won't be back.

3. Grolsh – 2 Jan 2009, 11:46am Report: We have eaten here a number of times and recommended it to friends and family as well.
Food is brill and price is very good for what you get.
Always accommodating with kids and requests and overall a good local place to get a good meal.
Great place to try if you have never been

2. Sparrowmig – 20 Dec 2008, 5:10pm Bijou Report: We live round the corner and eat here a lot - the weekend Breakfasts are fantastic and great value for money. The Cullen Skink and the Crombies sausages are great too. We have always found the staff to be really friendly- great with the kids. Haven't had a better breakfast anywhere in Edinburgh for the same price..Eggs Florentine on muffin are fabulous and I don't even like eggs!

1. Portobello – 8 Nov 2008, 5:55pm Bijou Report: Popped into Bijou for a quick coffee the other day and it had to be the worst experience ever! The place looked closed from the outside, the waitress couldn't even be bothered to smile and just pointed to the board on the wall with the daily offerings.
My latte was luke warm at best.
She finally decided to smile when we paid!
I defintely won't be back. My advice - walk another 10 minutes up to the top of Easter Road and pop into The Manna House, where they'll serve you a delicious hot coffee with a smile!

Average rating 3.5/5 from 6 reviews of Bijou.

RSS feed of these comments