Henricks Bar & Bistro

Henricks Bar & Bistro

1 Barclay Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4HW

Telephone 0131 229 2442
Bar open Mon–Sun 10am–1am
Food served Mon–Fri 10am–10pm; Sat/Sun 10am–10pm.
Pre-theatre times Mon–Sun noon–7pm
Average price £10.95 (set lunch); £15 (evening meal)
Pre-theatre price £10.95
Email
Website www.henricksbar.com

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Eating & Drinking Guide

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This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

This bistro bar on the edge of the Meadows has carved a niche between formal dining and local pub grub. It attracts a pre-theatre crowd with the King's near-by, lunchtime couples, those seeking brunch at week-ends, late-night drinkers and many in between. The compact menu offers 'house favourites' such as a Henrick's burger, along with seasonal dishes – in winter expect venison stew or wild mushroom linguine. It covers the basics well without trying too hard: beautifully cooked salmon fillet in a light, lemony dill sauce with mange touts, for example, and well-presented fish n' chips, though the linguine oversteps comfort into heavy creaminess. The wine list leans heavily to Australia where the manager did a harvest in 2007, there is lots to try by the glass and, if keen, you can join the regular wine club (first Monday of the month). If booking, avoid the table by the door in winter, but remember the great, wee patio area at the back for al fresco dining in summer.

High point: The fish - simple and done well
Low point: Pasta too rich and creamy

Number of wines sold by the glass: 18
Provides: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Outdoor tables, Free wi-fi
Music on stereo: Varied easy listening
Capacity: 50
Largest group: 60
Open since: 2006 (2010 under current owners)
House wine: £15.25 per bottle

Comments & ratings

11. Sara Cat – 15 Jan 2013, 2:30am Henricks Bar & Bistro Report: Visiting from the States with my mom, from Canada. Third time in this great city! Had the pleasure of dining at Hendricks. Did up an amazing brunch and thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Ailsa. Fantastic artwork and decor, warm, friendly atmosphere, excellent service and delicious food. Can't say enough about how this experience cast, yet another, warm ray of sunshine into our travels throughout Scotland. Thanks for the good cheer!
Sara Cowles
San Pedro, CA

10. Top Dog – 10 Dec 2012, 9:09pm Henricks Bar & Bistro Report: We've eaten here a few time over the past couple of months. The staff are always warm and welcoming, service is prompt and efficient. The menu is OK, between us we seem to have eaten most of it and there's never been a problem. The fish is always very fresh, steaks are ample and wines are well chosen and do not disappoint. As a brasserie, it serves up simple, plain food that is tasty and hot. The atmosphere seems just right for us but may not suit everyone - best thing is you can keep a conversation going without a lot of background noise. You can't say that about a lot of places. Compares well with anywhere else in Bruntsfield - Tolcross area.

9. SparkyTD – 22 Jul 2012, 9:03pm Henricks Bar & Bistro Report: Very very more-ish
Semi-Regular to Henricks when I'm in that part of town, love the food and you get a great pint of Best or Stewart Brewers ale. Wine and cocktail list appreciated by the missus!

8. PGM1989 – 16 Apr 2012, 8:45pm Henricks Bar & Bistro Report

I visited Henricks this evening with a friend for dinner. I usually eat out in the tollcross area and today we thought we'd try somewhere knew. It looks like quite a nice place from outside and the interior decor is quite nice.

However thats all the good i can say about this bar. I ordered a burger with bacon and to be honest it was miles behind other local establishments in terms of the burger. I would honestly suggest it is the worst burger i have had since coming to edinburgh in 2008.

As for the staff i found they were quite rude at times and uninterested in creating a nice atmosphere. My friend enjoyed his meal quite alot however agreed with me that the service created a terrible experience.

7. Marcus – 11 May 2011, 12:30pm Henricks Bar & Bistro Report: I live quite local to Henricks and walk past many pubs to visit on a regular basis. I am proud to be called a regular and have not experienced Henricks to be closed too early. Since new ownership, Henricks has gone from strength to strength with great focus on food, wine and customer service. Just what I need when I need lunch or don’t want to cook for myself after a busy day at work. The staff and owners are always interested in going above and beyond to make sure I am looked after. I am never been taken for granted and every effort is made to make me feel special and welcome. For a local bar, making constant improvements, who cares about their customers and community; it doesn’t get much better.

6. Pd – 10 May 2011, 11:04am Henricks Bar & Bistro Report: I don't agree with the last review as the bar staff were very courteous and welcoming. We were there for one for the road and the choices of drinks were great the little girl was very prompt as soon as we entered and the bar man was a great pleasure to interact with.
It was very quiet and being from the pub back groud as an owner I would be very proud of the staff you have as they seemed to be looking out for the business!
I will be paying a visit soon to the place especially to njoy the interaction with the bar man! :-)

5. The New Henricks Team – 9 May 2011, 6:47pm Report: @ PMcBride
We are disgusted to hear that you were asked to leave so early in the evening last Wednesday. We are currently investigating the precise circumstances, but rest assured that Ailsa and myself are very disappointed and upset by these actions.
Of course, there are some circumstances when the bar may close earlier than 1 a.m. for economic reasons, however, being kicked out at 10 p.m. is completely unacceptable and this will be addressed promptly.
We are saddened that you will not return and can only hope that in time, you will reconsider. We offer our apologies to you and any other guest on the evening who was also subjected to this experience.

4. pmcbride – 4 May 2011, 11:08pm Henricks Bar & Bistro Report: After a promising re-launch at the end of last year this bar has died.
Licensed til 1am but the staff have taken the suicidal route of closing early if it's not busy.
Last orders called at 10pm tonight! Surly staff, flat beer and the irritating tactic of opening doors to encourage punters to leave with a draft.
Closing before advertised hours kills your reputation as punters can't be sure how long they have. This is why Favorit failed. Learn from others mistakes.
I won't be back sadly. Burlington Berties for me from now on.

3. mcGonagall – 12 Mar 2011, 9:02pm Henricks Bar & Bistro Report: Henricks is essentially a wine bar - the excellent range is led by the superb St Halletts from the Barossa (Henricks is apparently the only source of their whole range in Scotland). And they have a large and interesting selection of beers, cocktails and other beverages. The outstanding food is in the capable hands of talented young chef Andy Black and ranges from a Simon Howie fillet steak to a baked potato or beans on toast via some delicious Andy international and Scottish specialities, all available most of the day.
The staff is small in number but big on warmth and promptness, starting but not finishing with the new proprietors Ailsa and Chris.
The family atmosphere is calm and comfortable and there is wheelchair access and ground floor toilets - very handy for us.An open (to the sky) area at the rear can be used for smoking in winter and barbecues etc in summer.
Altogether a thoroughly enjoyable experience for lunch, dinner or just a quiet drink, which is why we have become regulars.

2. Tom & Belle – 13 Jan 2011, 10:15pm Henricks Bar & Bistro Report: We visited Henricks shortly after the new owners took over in October 2010. We were SOOOO impressed, these guys really know how to do "hospitality". People friendly, child friendly, dog friendly - fantastic! A truly warm, relaxed, welcoming venue with a super atmosphere. Now has some amazing quality wines & an excellent selection of beers & spirits. Apparently one of the new owners has even spent 4 months working in the very vineyard, St Halletts, whose gorgeous wines are now available. The brand-new menu offers a wide choice of excellent dishes, all prepared & cooked on the premises. We will definitely continue to eat & drink at Henricks and have recommended it to loads of our friends. Tom & Belle

1. The New Henricks Team – 16 Nov 2010, 2:18pm Report

Hello everyone, Ailsa and Chris are the new owners of Henrick's Bar, previously a managed brewery pub. They have taken the lease over in October and have already made many changes to the atmosphere, service and menus.

We have taken on a new head chef who has brought his experience and knowledge and we have overhauled the rather disappointing brewery menu. Some of the old favourites are still on the new menus, which include some exciting contemporary dishes and a pre theatre menu. Yes the cocktail list is the same, but we have added our little touches to each recipe, to improve the experience.

Unfortunately, we can't offer the same level of reduced pricing on the two meals for £10 and the questionable wine offers, however, we are confident that you will be pleased with our new wine list, which has been selected by Ailsa and in one case, she has actually produced and made the wine in Australia!

New Menu, New Owners, a New Experience, we hope that you can come and join us and please feel free to comment and help us out if you think something needs changing or wasn't to your liking!

A&C

Average rating 4/5 from 9 reviews of Henricks Bar & Bistro.

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