21212

Went for lunch on Friday week ago with my partner. We both had 3 courses and then a cheese to share (we were full after 3 courses but wanted to prolong the nice afternoon).

The staff was very polite and probably more relaxed than in many places of this ilk - we quite liked this but you did have to adjust your expectations.

The food - now THIS was worth paying for. I rate highest the kind of food that tastes brilliant in a way that there is no possibility for me to even replicate that at home. And 21212 certainly provided this. It was creative and tasty. Although - as "milkpowder' below notes, at times there was a slight feel that the actual main aspect of the food was lost amongst all the other fancy stuff. But then again - I knew I wasn't going for a roast and potatoes!

The wines initially seemed expensive but the glasses were large and the wines were genuinely excellent quality. Well worth paying for.

I have give 4* (for the slight OTT of the ingredients) - I would certainly go for lunch (£81 for two with a glass of wine each) again but might have to think about a dinner for a little bit longer... Would it be worth the extra?

(ps. "M" below does not like being seated side by side - well, this is a matter of taste. I much prefer to be side by side rather than have to reach over the table, and since one usually has to sit opposite to each other the arrangement in 21212 was a nice change).

My partner and I were looking for something out of the ordinary, and I must say this is that restaurant.

Good points:
-Fabulous decor, comfy surroundings, plush seats.
-Attentive service.
-Each course was an adventure - an imaginative mix of ingredients, flavours, textures and presentation. "Experimental", as a fellow reviewer described. Each dish was like a puzzle waiting to be disassembled, admired and ultimately enjoyed.
-Great-tasting produce treated with much care.
-Reasonable prices (lunch)
-A few interesting pieces of cutlery which were 'fun' to use.

'Not so good' points:
-Did not enjoy being told I was late (by 15 minutes).
-Mix of ingredients didn't necessarily translate into great taste, although each individual element was very well cooked.
-Portions were on the small side, and the main ingredient didn't feature enough in each dish.
-Food is 'experimental' and may not appeal to all diners.
-The seating arrangement could've afforded diners more individual privacy.
-"Nespresso" coffee at this level is unacceptable.

All in all quite a very enjoyable dining experience and commendable to fellow foodies who are looking for something different, something new. My partner enjoyed her food too, but perhaps we both prefer more traditional combinations.

We enjoyed a drink in the lounge before being shown to our table which was one of a number of tables for two where diners had to sit side by side. Whether this was a design idiosyncrasy or an attempt to get more seats on the floor space remains a mystery. Personally, I like to sit opposite my dining partner as I find this facilitates conversation better than constantly turning around to engage each other. It also makes a left handed person sitting next to a right handed person a lot less awkward.

We were presented with the menu which we were told was “self explanatory”. Just as well we had read about 21212 and were familiar with the concept. The menu also had a list of suggested accompanying wines by the glass, but this wasn’t mentioned at all.

Our starters arrived and we were talked through these by the waiter. Both dishes were topped in foam, in fact just about everything was topped in foam! The number of competing flavours did not to our mind accomplish anything pleasant, let alone special. In fact there was a consistent sweetness to not only the starters, but all of the dishes including the bread.

Following our sweet, foam topped soup, our main courses were delivered without explanation… perhaps the waiter was too embarrassed to tell us. In the event both of the foam topped dishes were underdone. The lamb was red and bloody rather than rose whereas the sea bass would have been more at home in a sushi bar. The over use of ingredients and obligatory sweet overtones did not make for an enjoyable course.

Our waiter returned with our selection of four cheeses, mercifully minus any trace of foam. The cheese was a welcome savoury relief after the assault of sweetness from the previous courses although the grapes were brown, bruised and past their best.

Following the cheese we finished our wine, a pleasant Lebanese Chateau Musar which proved to be the highlight of the evening.

We waited a bit longer, finishing our water.

We waited still longer. Were we invisible?

When we were eventually noticed we were offered menus to choose our desserts. No suggestions that we might want more water or wine. We declined and were asked, without a hint of irony, if we want some more time between courses. I honestly expected the ghost of Jeremy Beadle to jump out from behind the curtains, stick a microphone to my face and ask if I was ‘Game for a Laugh’!

Rather than prolong the agony we left before the final courses, putting this disappointing evening down to experience.

We expected 21212 to be an exciting addition to crop of quality restaurants in Edinburgh. Sadly it failed to deliver and is one of our most disappointing dining experiences. On this showing the capital’s Michelin rated restaurants have absolutely nothing to fear from its arrival.

We had the pleasure of having an anniversary dinner here towards the end of July. Wouldn't normally leave reviews, but having read the first one (which we'd heard about) we just had to provide a different take on things.

We had an altogether different experience from the first reviewer. The staff were delightful, from reception, through to drinks upstairs (we were given a tour of the private dining room) to service at the table, everyone, maitre d' included were lovely.

The food is rather experimental but all the better for it. Fabulous chef creating something new every day or so; what's not to like?

And we can't go without mentioning the bread, sensational and worth going for alone. To our pleasant surprise the staff had wrapped a loaf for us which they gave us as we left. Passive-aggressive service? certainly not our experience.

Thank you so much, it was a memorable dining experience and one we'd highly recommend. We will be back for sure
S&B

21212 AMAZING
Decor was delightful and luxurious beyond belief.
now for the food
Just dined at Paul Kitching new Restaurant at 3 Royal terrace Edinburgh and had a wonderful experience
1st course was Slow cooked black pudding with bacon cheese,fig and lots of other flavours DELIGHTFUL
2nd course onion soup with so many depth of flavours he can make a great plate of soup MORE PLEASE!
3nd course mouth watering lamb cooked to perfection melt in the mouth stuff ,with rice parsnip and cherries to die for( where does he get them),
4th Cheese board to share ,just ate the lot.
5th and by no means last a trifle like I've never tasted before Blueberry rasperry with banana and walnuts.
any room for more yes just some coffee and home made truffels.
This Guy is talented , watch this space !!
We'll be back and will certainly recomend you to try for yourself
I just loved it.worth the money and lunch is only £20.