Cucina

Hotel Missoni, 1 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1AD

Telephone 0131 240 1666
Bar open Sun–Wed 10am–midnight; Thu–Sat 10am–1am.
Food served Mon–Thu 6.30–10am, 12.30–3pm, 6–10.30pm; Fri 6.30–10am, 12.30–3pm, 6–11pm; Sat 7–11am, 12.30–3pm, 6–11pm; Sun 7–11am, 12.30–3pm, 6–10.30pm.
Pre-theatre times 6–7pm
Average price £14.95 (set lunch); £28 (evening meal)
Pre-theatre price £16
Email
Website www.hotelmissoni.com

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.

From the moment you pass through the chic bar en route to the restaurant upstairs, your senses will be assailed by a riot of colour, rich flavours and music shared with the rest of the building. Seats covered in fabrics from the Missoni fashion house, tableaux depicting its patterns, and even the frames of the bathroom mirrors shout out Italian style. Trendily clad waiters buzz around, theatrically explaining the provenance of the olive oil, topping up wine glasses with a flourish, and delivering imaginative dishes. Cucina’s take on an Italian staple has mozzarella paired with warm tomato jam and crispy basil leaves, while alternative starters include a harmonious match of scallops with cauliflower purée and caper sauce. Pasta and risotto dishes join mains including tender duck breast with pearl barley and a rich jus, or monkfish with a hint of mustard in the accompanying sauce. A tempting dessert selection includes poached pear with honey ice-cream and Amaretto jelly, and a ‘chocolate tasting’ which offers multiple styles and textures – just like Cucina itself.

High point: Fantastic food in stylish surroundings
Low point: Unusual music selection

Number of wines sold by the glass: 14
Private dining: 40-45 (also for groups of 14 and 16)
No. overnight rooms: 136
Provides: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Free wi-fi
Music on stereo: Modern/trendy music
Capacity: 105
Largest group: 105
Open since: 2009
House wine: £19.50 per bottle

Comments & ratings

3. C S – 18 Mar 2013, 4:55pm Cucina Report: Lovely meal at Cucina. A treat for my Mum over the weekend and she loved every minute. Tasty food and even better wine!

2. KBH – 6 Oct 2010, 2:00pm Cucina Report

'Style over substance' covers my recent experience at Cucina nicely. No record of our booking, although the host was very apologetic and got us a table straight away. Our waiter, had a terrible attitude from the start, ordered drinks and 15 minutes later he returned to inform our party that we could not order two of the drinks as they are only available downstairs so we make another choice which takes another 15 minutes to arrive. No apologies. Eventually our food order was taken, and we where informed that they had run out of 2 items on the menu (20:30 on a Saturday night). In our party of 4, we chose to share two starters, at an additional charge. Starters arrived, very very small portions, struggled to justify the additional charge. Main courses were very nice but poor service and overpriced food greatly overshadowed the main course.

Overall we had a very unpleasant experience at Cucina. For a restaurant that is housed in a five star hotel, and charges prices’ to match....the dinning experience does not even nearly reflect this. Very disappointed.

1. Ruaridh Maclean – 3 Oct 2010, 8:47am Cucina Report: Went as part of large group with a set menu, service was poor and slow, our last course never appeared, food was satisfactory but not at this price. The meal concluded with a 25% service charge which i thought was a typo at first glance. At £60 (inc. service) per head it is fair to expect dishes of a very high quality which this 'style' restaurant fails to deliver. By way of example Martin Wishart's Michelin starred restaurant in Edinburgh does a set menu for £65. If you prefer style over substance and enjoy absurdly overpriced food with poor service i must recommend Cucina.

Average rating 2.5/5 from 3 reviews of Cucina.

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Cucina

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