dellis453

Corinna, You must have had a bad night at Thai Me up. We've been many times and even on Saturday night in the heart of the festival the food was superb. Why should you be using chops sticks? It's not a Chinese place. The many many critics are not wrong on this place. It has consistently been in the List Hit List. You are entitled to your opinion, but others reading this should definitely not be put off.

I'd go for the tasting menu if the one at Martin Wishart's in Edinburgh is anything to go by. The tastes are exquisite and complex. At GR if you are not likely to go back again soon, I'd go for the tasting menu any day.

Lots of suggestions. Do you like any particular food? What sort of price range? It is a local holiday on Monday 23rd May by the way. The List Eating & Drinking Guide has just come out and will soon be live on their website http://www.list.co.uk/eating/eating.html Restaurant of the Year Martin Wishart - one Michelin Star - book now and definitely go for the tasting menu. http://www.martin-wishart.co.uk/entrance.html Fish restaurants: Crellers www.creelers.co.uk or Sweet Melindas - tiny neighbourhood restaurant just off the Meadows and next door to the best fishmongers in town. 0131 229 7953 Restaurant at the Bonham - French/Scottish www.thebonham.com Forth Floor Restaurant - Harvey Nichols 524 8350 - scottish cuisine with great service. There is also a brasserie for lower priced meals and a wonderful food hall Great cocktails: Rick's Bar http://www.ricksedinburgh.co.uk/restaurant.html Saturday tea: Plaisir du chocolat, Canongate (Royal Mile) http://www.edinburgh-festivals.com/citygui...pe=eat&vid=1641 I could go on and on ... Let me know if you need more info. Danielle

Lots to visit in Edinburgh. It's a really accessible city and you can walk most places. Otherwise buy a day ticket for the buses £2.30 from the Lothian Regional Transport shops (one on Hanover Street most central). Must visits: Victoria Street: Demijohn, a liquid deli for tastings of wines, liqueurs, olive oils and vinegars. Iain Mellis a tiny shop full of wonderful cheese. Try any of the Scottish or Irish varieties. In the same street, there's also a great tea and coffee shop. Royal Mile (also known as High Street). Royal Mile Whiskies, knowledgeable, very approachable people. Always Sunday, lovely cafe that has special lighting to make it feel summery (very important in Scotland!) great salads and home baking. Follow this street down, it changes its name to Cannongate - visit Plaisir du Chocolat - enormous slices of wonderful cake and choice of chocolate or more than 200 teas. Raeburn Place, Stockbridge - Edinburgh Organics, Herbies Cheese, So Cocoa Chocolates (lost of high percentage cocoa ones from single countries), the Store - a new deli Eating: If you go to Fishers in the City (Thistle Street) and eat between 4.30 and 6.30 you pay between £4.30 and £6.30 for their mussels - very good too they are The Doric - a meat lovers paradise in Market Street (just behind Waverley main station). Let me know if you want more ....

What day will you be in Edinburgh and for how long? I can give you lots of recommendations - restaurants, delis, etc.

I think her first two books are just the best ever. I wonder how long I'll have to wait in the UK for this one?? I raved about the first two so much, I got one of our stores that is mainly food, but has a few cook books to stock them. They soon had to reorder.

How about a wee trip to Edinburgh? We've got a great cookery class taking place on 19th April http://www.discoverthetaste.com/events/cookclass_05.htm or a foodie walking tour on 23 April visiting some gourmet hotspots in Edinburgh ...

We recently visited Parallel 33 in San Diego where we had the most gorgeous peach pie. Could anyone recommend a recipe? I was enjoying it so much that I didn't stop to consider the ingredients. It was definitely a pie rather than a cobbler. It's not something we make here in Scotland usually! All suggestions very welcome.

May I suggest my monthly newsletter that focuses mainly on Scotland www.discoverthetaste.com/news Observer Food Monthly Herald Going Out Guide - Tasting Notes http://www.theherald.co.uk/goingout/ Online Thursdays to Saturdays only The Scottish Food Guide edited by Wendy Barrie http://www.scottishfoodguide.com The List Eating and Drinking Guide http://www.list.co.uk/ead/fr1.htm The Deli and Good Food Directory (of Scotland) not available online, but can be purchased at http://www.list.co.uk/shop/shopcat_prod.ht...id=3&item_id=18 new edition just out.

I'd suggest looking through this guide http://www.list.co.uk/ead/fr1.htm The List review most of the restaurants in Edinburgh and Glasgow with a few outside town. The reviewers are not identified until after they have had their meal - so you get an honest opinion. It is the local's bible for good food. I'd suggest the set menu at the Atrium; Palourde for excellent fish, Sweet Melinda's for fish (if you are there on a Tuesday, you pay what you think the meal is worth); Circus Cafe for great salads; Always Sunday cafe for a great lunch ... For outside the city, get yourself a copy of Scotland the Best by Peter Irvine. This also featured hotels, places to visit, etc. Hope this helps! Danielle www.discoverthetaste.com

I made a Simnel Cake yesterday - difficult to judge when cooked as you put marizpan in a middle layer of the cake - tastes delicious! Also, hot cross buns with LOTS of spice - I have to put mixed peel and currants in mine. Tried making them with a sour dough starter, it makes for a much crisper outside .. Here in the UK is the day when we pig out on chocolate - can't wait

Thanks everyone. Looks as if I really need several weeks vacation ... If I can ever help anyone on info for Scotland, just let me know ... Regards Danielle www.discoverthetaste.com

Thank you! Would love some more recommendations on great food stores - any sort of cuisine. Are there any farmers' markets? Will be staying near Escondido, but am willing to travel! Danielle www.discoverthetaste.com

I'll be in San Diego from 20th June for four days. I'd love to seek out the best food shops, markets and restaurants. Where would you suggest I visit? I run a gourmet tours and events company in Edinburgh, Scotland ..

In the UK self raising {rather than rising) flour is very common. It is used to make cakes, scones etc. I would add two teaspoons of baking powder, no salt as an equivalent. You can also use 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and one teaspoon of cream of tartar for the same effect. Hope the recipe goes well!

There's a fantastic mexican deli based in Edinburgh that does mail order - the owner has written a book too about his adventures and how Lupe Pintos came about. Can thoroughly recommend the produce and the book! (He also stocks, Creole, American and other produce) www.lupepintos.com

Have you tried the ginger variety? Very scented, quite unlike any other I have tasted. In Edinburgh you can certainly get it in a wee vegetable shop in Argyle Street and in Harvey Nicks