Ondine
- Telephone 0131 226 1888
- Food served Mon–Sat noon–3pm, 5.30–10pm. Closed Sun.
- Pre-theatre times Mon–Sat 5.30–6.30pm.
- Average price £18 (set lunch); £33 (evening meal)
- Pre-theatre price £18
- Website www.ondinerestaurant.co.uk
Jump to comments (5)
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.
Perfectly framed by Ondine’s windows, a couple flirt at a bus stop on George IV Bridge. Their bus arrives and they disappear, off to continue their story somewhere else. Could they, should they have come in for dinner? Ondine feels like one of those places where good things happen. It’s glamorous, sparkly, fun. Heady with garlic and possibilities. Somewhere to wear your good shoes. And the fish – oh, the fish! Start with oysters: choose from four varieties, including natives, all super-fresh, immaculately sourced and knowledgeably introduced by the staff. Shellfish lovers will find it hard to resist one of two platters, the roast option a quivering mound of garlicky loveliness. Lashings of crab, langoustines, clams, one fabulous scallop that you never want to stop eating, and spoots – admittedly an acquired taste, but if you don’t acquire it here you won’t ever. A main of wild bass is less showy, but equally beautiful. Care and attention simply shines from every corner – as you’d expect from an MSC-certified restaurant – but it’s never worthy, or indeed intimidating. Bus stop flirters, take note.
- High point: It's all good.
- Low point: Pockets won't allow a weekly visit
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 34
- Private dining: Up to 8 covers
- Provides: Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu
- Music on stereo: Jazz
- Capacity: 84 (includes 14 seated at the bar)
- Largest group: 14
- Open since: 2009
- House wine: £19.50 per bottle
Comments & ratings
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5.
FC – 15 May 2013, 11:49am
Ondine
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Second visit to Ondine for evening meal featured a lengthy wait for our table at the bar, the barman dropping his milk jug mid-foam splattering my husband in the process, and the failure of the front of house staff to tell the same barman that we were waiting on a table. He was also about to charge me for a negroni instead of a campari and soda....Lovely chap to chat to but a failure in communication led to our food being delivered to the bar and our table being given to another couple. So more waiting...We were up for a good night out so it didn't dent out spirits too much. We got a nice apology from the head waiter at the end of the meal. However, I would have appreciated our bar drinks being deducted from the bill. Didn't want to argue with him as we'd enjoyed a lovely meal, eventually! The roast seafood platter was a thing of beauty, bar the dried out lobster and the quivering sharp lemon tart the perfect antidote to all that garlic butter...But I can imagine less tolerant types than ourselves getting very cross indeed. Am getting slightly annoyed now thinking about it. So just make sure, if seated at the bar, you make it clear you are waiting and not a permanent feature.
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4.
ChuffyMcGuffin – 23 Oct 2012, 10:58pm
Ondine
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Positives: A good table with a view of the street outside. I enjoyed the option of wine in 500ml carafes - we had our lunch and left feeling capable of some afternoon shopping. The set lunch menu is reasonably priced. Attentive and unobtrusive service in a light, airy and luxurious setting. The dessert was very good - light chocolate mousse served with honeycomb and kirsch soaked cherries, along with a coffee cream. The combination of flavours and textures was a winner. Good coffee afterwards.
Negatives: sadly, there were a couple of issues which I didn't expect as this is a fish restaurant! The oysters were not fully shucked and remained attached to the shells, necessitating some fiddly work with a fork; there were large fragments of broken shell in one of the oysters which had to be picked out and there was a lot of sand in another. The crab risotto was too salty and again fragments of crab shell had made their way into the dish, although the risotto was otherwise well done and the flavours worked well.
Verdict - I'd go back and try the place again. There were issues, but overall, the food was tasty and the price was reasonable. I liked the fact that they had a native oyster in the tasting selection (and it was by far the most delicious of the three) and the dessert was a definite hit.
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3.
Mrs Foodie – 27 Mar 2011, 11:55am
Ondine
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Great place will definitely be back. Ambience relaxed, professional and intimate. Ate from pre-theatre menu which was good value and gave us incentive to come back again and try main menu or sit at the bar and have something. Be sure to ask for table by window if you can so you can people watch ;-)
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2.
CP – 9 Dec 2010, 11:39pm
Ondine
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A wonderful, classy but relaxed restaurant - food was excellent, fresh and delicious with well balanced flavours. Very knowledgeable and helpful waiter without being intrusive. Extremely fast and efficient service. A must for fish lovers - we'll be back asap!!
Average rating /5 from 5 reviews of Ondine.
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