If I had the authority to grant a Michelin Star to Angels with Bagpipes, I would do it in a heartbeat. Their a la carte menu offers a wide variety of options - vegetarian, seafood, white meat, red meat - so there is certainly something for everyone. I opted for the smoked salmon appetizer and the rabbit loin entrée, both of which were gorgeously plated and absolutely delicious. I will be sure to pay another visit the next time I find myself in Edinburgh. read more

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I slowly opened one eye, and then the other, I checked all major body parts...everything was still there and moving. I lifted my head off the pillow, that's when I realised I had a very dry mouth and a gentle pounding in my head, it was time to get to the kitchen...must...drink....tea. So now you know how the evening ended, it's time to go back to the start. My dining partner in crime (DPIC) and I had decided on Angels with Bagpipes as the venue for a celebratory meal. We arrived to be shown promptly to our table by the friendly staff who immediately made us feel welcome and offered any help with questions while we perused the menu. We were seated in the back area which reminded me of a friends living room that has impeccable taste in interior décor. It was relaxed yet with the perfect balance of formal and informal that makes you feel like you're somewhere special but not that you can't relax and enjoy yourself. It didn't take long for us to make our dining decisions, we chose the Chateau Ka wine from Lebanon after a recommendation from my DPIC and we were not disappointed at all. I went for the Orkney Scallops with lentils, apple, caramel and crackling as I was intrigued by the combination of flavours for a starter and being a fan of a classic steak chose that for mains. The scallops were tender and fresh, and the lentils added a wonderful texture perfectly balancing the sweetness of the apple and caramel, the crackling added a lovely 'bite' and it was beautifully presented. The steak was perfectly done to order, however the pesto tomato was a little over loaded with pesto but a small complaint given when you order steak it's the meat that's the star. My DPIC ordered the beef tartare, and after stealing a fork full I can confirm it tasted wonderful with a wonderful crisp fresh crunch from the onions. For her main she ordered the lamb which was again perfectly cooked but she felt there was a little too much 'going on' with the sweetbread, anchovy and almond garnish. We're both of the opinion when it comes to a meat dish, less is more but this is personal opinion after all. We decided to finish off the evening with a shared cheese board and some port, the staff again demonstrated their knowledge by walking us through the cheeses on the board and informing us they were displayed from mild to strong across the board. We ordered the Fonseca 97 Port as my DPIC informed me she still dreamt about the port from when she'd been in 2010. And it was everything it was built up to be, so we had a second glass just to be able to savour it a little longer. The cheese was a good mix of hard and soft, and whilst we're both cheese fiends we didn't find the strongest one over powering and we easily polished them all off as the portion sizes were just right. Overall we had a lovely evening there, I'd recommend this venue for special occasions with friends, romantic dinners or if you have friends from out of town staying. Make sure your guests spot the Angel with Bagpipes statue which the restaurant is named after, her whistful expression makes me think she also might be thinking of the glass of port and cheese she's going to have at the end of her shift. Oh, and in case you're wondering. I can highly recommend the Jolly Roger and Monteiths and the Albanach for post dinner drinks. Probably just don't do them all in one night, otherwise you'll end up how I started this review! read more

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Very nice food. The lamb is fantastic and the set courses are in reasonable price. We try the dessert and it surprised us a lot. read more

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Well on the sunniest and warmest Tuesday of the year Kev.W and I stopped by for a spot of lunch attracted by the idea of 2 courses for £12.50. Given the reputation given below that this place can be expensive this was a pleasant surprise. Looking at the fixed price menu there was something for everyone but for me starter wise there was only one option, smoked ham terrine with a fois gras centre served with a quail egg and a tweel. Light tasty and delicious! The dish was technical, elegant and just outstanding. The fois gras was a great treat on a beautiful day. For main I opted for the short rib of beef, served with potatoes, salsify, spinach and a gravy that was incredible the dish worked fantastically well. I gobbled it all up in no time and was left very content. The service was perfect, the beer was cold...I was very happy. Even more keen to visit for dinner now but the lunch menu here comes highly JD Recommended! read more

Angels with Bagpipes - Smoked ham and fois gras! Amazing! - Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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It was one my friend's graduation day and we ended up coming here for dinner to celebrate. Make sure you have reservation for this place because you won't get a table otherwise your lucky. It's a small restaurant but centrally located on the Royal mile. The place is pretty trendy and has the typical modern restaurant atmosphere. The menu has a good variety of first and second courses. We all opted out for the first course cause we didn't fancy anything on there but it had a couple of Scottish-esk selection like haggis and blood sausage. For the main course, they offered venison, rabbit, fish, and steak. We all decided to get the 18oz chateaubriand. This dish is good for two people and they will ask you how you like your steak cooked... Rate, medium rare, etc. It also includes 3 different sides and 2 sauces. We asked our meat to be cooked rare and it definitely came out that way! The meat was not bloody and very tender. The meat was nice, but it was missing that meaty steak taste I like with this dish so I knew it wasn't age that long. You get plenty of meat, but the sides were pretty small servings as well as the sauces. The peppercorn and butter sauce however was amazing! For £55, it was decent and definitely satisfied my craving for steak. The dessert selection was ok... Nothing really stood out for me. I was trying to be adventurous but also wanted something light since the meal was heavy so I ordered an apple dessert. This was a disappointing dessert and I wouldn't recommend getting it cause it basically was just cut up Granny Smith apples with caramel and a couple of crunchy sponge. I expected a lot more from this dish and we all joked around how this was more of a salad than a dessert. Highly disappointed since I'm a total dessert person and they could have easily created a better homage for the apple. My suggestion... Avoid this dessert cause the chocolate brownie and the cheesecake looked and tasted better. The staff were all nice especially the front desk staff who helped us the whole night. They watched over us and made sure we were happy with things. I'd come back to this place and taste the other dishes since the food was well cooked and flavourful. I like the trendy atmosphere and the location as well. The price of the dishes follows the norm of these type of restaurant, so that was good. Overall, it was a good experience that definitely help making my friend's graduation day, a little bit more special! read more

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Ever since I came here the first time, I have been a fan. It is very central at a touristic place but the food here is of high quality. On my second visit, I had the scallops with black pudding as my starter. They were delicately seared and placed on bed of black pudding. Unlike most black pudding which is heavy and greasy, here it was light fluffy and complements the scallops well. For the main, I had pollock. The fish was extremely fresh and has a clean taste to it. Again every so recommended for people trying Scottish produce cooked to perfection. read more

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So impressed with the first meal, with every bite delicious and perfectly executed, we just had to sample other dishes on the menu and ate here again the same week! From the first meal, the haggis appetizer was our first introduction to the dish, and was a great balance of the richness of the offal with the spice. The rabbit dish was a surprise in presentation as a stuffed roll, but expertly cooked and tender. The seasoning on the barley was rich and delicious as well, with wonderful sauces to accompany. Our second meal, I loved the minty "salsa verde" on the potato terrine beside the lamb, perfectly cooked to rare and tender. The parfait dessert was light with punches of oat, raspberry, and whiskey flavor, an upscale version of the Scottish dessert cranachan I believe. Both times, we had the greatest service by Cecily. Her cheery demeanor was a joy in helping us make our decisions on the menu. She really conveyed an enthusiasm for the food and restaurant that added a lot to the experience. Cecily immediately recognized us on our second visit with a warm welcome that confirmed that we had made the right choice in coming back! Easily my favorite restaurant in Edinburgh. Head and shoulders over other steakhouse/seafood restaurants at similar price point we had tried. read more

The food is impressive and well presented and this restaurant is very deserving of its 4.5 star review. If I could award half stars I would really leave 4.5, as half a star would be deducted for the service. I found our server relatively unhelpful/impatient/terse. I would say she was fairly unfriendly compared to the other staff at this restaurant and I was pretty turned off after just ordering our drinks. Luckily the food made up for any negative impressions that I had. We decided to take our chances with the chateaubriand (even though our server described it plainly as just a "large filet" when we asked how it was prepared). We had it cooked medium rare which is really the only way you should cook a good cut of meat. Overall verdict: phenomenal. The meat is very very lean. You are offered two types of sauces: a butter sauce and peppercorn- I would highly recommend the butter sauce because butter makes everything better. We did start with the haggis which was delicious- but I personally think haggis is tasty regardless of where you get it. No dessert for us after 16+ ounces of meat. Would I come back or recommend this place to others? Sure! It's definitely a nicer environment compared to the other pubs in the area and the meals are moderately priced. The experience isn't like the Witchery so you can't come in here expecting that, but you would certainly have a nice evening here. read more

The desserts are the best! We had Lime and Raspberries. Great dinner. The mashed potatoes are scrumptious with garlic and chives and small chunks of potatoes mixed in with creamy ones. Great sole, leeks and steak. The beer Aces and Eights is a must. Great wine menu too! read more

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The hotel recommended this restaurant. We had a fabulous meal, great service, and outstanding view from our table. I had the Polenta and my husband had the Sole, both were wonderful. We started with the smoked salmon in cucumber sauce. It was smoked perfectly and melted in your mouth. My husband also enjoyed the whiskey of the month special. Highly recommend. read more

Angels with Bagpipes - Sole - Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Awful place - don't go, you will be disappointed (pics on Yelp are highly misleading) Bad service, poor menu, Edinburgh is a great food scene, this place is a tourist trap read more

My husband and I were so looking forward to this restaurant; however, it was very underwhelming. Most of the pubs have more charm and character, and the portions are insultingly small. While the flavors were very good, entrees were more like small appetizers. (Minus the entree prices). We all left starving and disappointed...wouldn't recommend to traveling friends read more

We stopped into this beautiful little restaurant right on the Royal Mile for lunch. We were a party of 9 in the large table near the front door. I'm sure there is more seating here if you were to take the stairs behind our table, but from a first glance, there weren't many tables. The lunch menu offered three courses, with the lunch special being a choice of two. Many in my party ordered (and enjoyed) the mussel appetizer. I chose an entree (beef with creamed potatoes, leek and truffle oil) and dessert (Chocolate mousse with white chocolate sorbet and Seville orange gelee). The menu wording weren't quite as descriptive as mine, but I rolled the dice. The beef was more like a pot roast, quite marbled with fat. I really dislike red meat that isn't on the leaner side, so the beef wasn't for me. I ate the remainder of the entree, combining the potato, leek, and sauce and actually rather enjoyed it. My dessert, however, was to die for! Not too heavy, but still so decadent, and the seville orange gelee was the perfect addition to the chocolates! I couldn't get enough! read more

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Outstanding. Diverse menu with lots of choices, including healthy fare. Good wine list. Has lots of space with private dining areas. The dessert was interesting a cheese sampler with nice crackers and a rhubarb with sorbet was recommended and great. read more

Despite being on the main stretch of the Royal Mile, this modern restaurant offers a sense of calm. The a la carte menu offers quite a decent range of options, different meats, steaks and also, larger versions of some starters. The set menu offered a decent range of choices too and so my friend went for mussels, slow cooked beef and rhubarb, custard, sorbet. All courses we enjoyed. The other starters we tried were beef tartare-too vinegary but overall solid. The haggis was excellent. Different purees and sauces with haggis 2 ways offered a great starter. My other friend and I shared chateaubriand for our main. This came with a choice of 3 sides, garlic butter and peppercorn sauce. The beef was cooked well, the sauces were good and the sides were all delightfully and generously cooked with plenty of butter and cream. The right way. The mushrooms were particularly nice. My only complaint here is that I expected more beef for the money and the mash portion was rather stingy. The apple dessert too was also good and every dish was presented with care. Service was polite and friendly and we had a good time here. read more

This was such a great experience and a fun first night in Edinburgh. The staff was helpful with wine selections and our food order. I started with the rocket & Parmesan salad. A little tip: add a little of the balsamic vinegar/oil concoction you get with the bread to the salad. shared the Chateubriand. You can't go wrong with this selection! You must add this to your list when you visit Edinburgh! read more

Wait. What? How does this place rate this highly? I came in, dead of winter. Seated a 8-top near the door...by myself. Had the onion starter and the kale side. Both were unappetizing child-portion mashups. So glad I didn't come here for a full dinner. Completely overrated and overpriced. Way too many amazing restaurants nearby to double back on this one read more

The food is always absolutely incredible! I highly recommend the salmon as it was to die for! A word of caution, this restaurant is categorized here as a pub. That's not entirely true. You often need a reservation and it's a bit fancier than the standard pub you have come to know and love around Edinburgh. That being said, two big thumbs up for this lovely spot! read more

The first thing you realize is that angels playing bagpipes would be quite the outsiders. While the other heavenly beings are composing etudes on their celestial harps, these rebels are making a scene while making music you can hear from miles away. As someone who has an affinity for people (and demigods) who follow their own path, I like these angels. And I can safely say Angels with Bagpipes is a restaurant that stands alone when it comes to outstanding service and impressive food. Three of us walked in on a Friday night with a reservation made weeks in advance, and at first it looked like we may not have needed it. From the street, this looks like a small place with room for a dozen, or so, and the entrance appeared empty. And then the hostess walked us through the hallway and down the stairs. Suddenly, we were in a positively charming lower dining room with a large dinner party and four other tables full of patrons wining and dining. Angels with Bagpipes is much larger inside than it initially appears, and the place is brimming with warm lighting, ambience and a decor that is equal parts relaxing and the perfect backdrop for intoxicated selfies. Our waitress, Alice, was excellent. We had spent the day walking the city and doing all the usual touristy stuff, so by the time our 8:00 reservation came around, we were on the verge of slap-happy exhaustion. Fortunately for us, Alice rolled with our questions and our thorough reading of the menus - from drinks to meals, there is a lot to look over! (Especially when a Flying Scotsman cocktail is ready to knock you right out of the chair you're sitting in.) And in reality, the entire staff was made up of professionals who take their job seriously, but still do it with a sense of humor. Food runners were attentive but personable, the aforementioned hostess was friendly and the entire visit here absolutely earned the highest marks for service. And then there was the food. Was it the best meal we had in Edinburgh? You'd better believe it was. While two of us started with jaw-droppingly tasty cauliflower soup, I decided to stamp "TOURIST" on my forehead and order the haggis. In reality, I was blending in with the rest of the dining room's regulars and out-of-towners, because more than a few of us were chowing down on what ended up being a delicious concoction of... well, if you don't know what haggis is, you may not want to find out. Suffice it to say, it was wonderful! Entrees were just as delectable. The salmon and lemon sole looked good and tasted even better. And my rabbit was one of the best dishes I have ever had. (It was one of those dishes where you begrudgingly share it with your dining partners so they can also experience what you are eating, but you're secretly hoping they don't take you up on your offer so there is more for you to enjoy.) Cap it off with a brownie that was divine and you have a dining experience unlike any other. I really cannot recommend Angels with Bagpipes enough. Much like the titular creatures trading in their strings for something different, this restaurant stands out from the competition by offering a tough-to-beat combo of excellent service and an even better menu. read more

I went here based off a suggestion from a girl I worked with. I am so glad I did. While in Scotland, we ate here a few times. Great food. Great atmosphere. Great service. It is located on the Royal Mile. I have to say it was some of the best food we had in the UK. Please note you may want to make reservations, they fill up fast and turn many people away. They do have a bit of room on their street side seating, but don't count on it. It is a bit pricey, but really worth it. Samuel the hipster manager (very easy on the eyes) kind of made the experience great as well. HUGE FAN! read more

I've been here a few times now, it's my go-to restaurant when my family visit me in Edinburgh. Originally visited after a friend recommended it to me. Food is amazing, so well made and the atmosphere here is great - caters for all groups well. On my first visit I was dubious as there were a large group of hens- they didn't ruin the atmosphere (even though it's a small-ish restaurant), waiters were really attentive. A friend knew we were visiting and had pre-ordered a bottle of prosecco for us which was a really nice surprise! It's nice to visit for a romantic dinner or with friends. The service is great - such a pleasure dining here, and there's something for everyone on the menu.. Just wish the deserts were't so damn tasty! read more

Pretty good food, nice atmosphere, great service, but a little pricy for what it is. It's right on the Royal Mile so very convenient location. read more

Savoring each bite of my duck breast led me to a first time experience in what I have named a holistic cooking. The taste of the duck meat, the juicy pac choi and the smooth beetroot stood all in their own independent fragrance, supported by delicious hints of sesame and cherry. And, altogether, they also mixed up in a majestic mesh that made my holistic gusto. On top of this, finding such a high level of cooking mastery at these prices really surprised me. Never in my life did I meet such greatness and Angels with Bagpipes will be a must stop in my future visits to Edinburgh. read more

So, being from the US and not the UK, I have to compare this experience with food that I am accustomed to as well as other food in the UK. But, I do try to have an open mind. Overall, it was one of the better meals so far in the country (had a pretty mediocre experience so far in the UK) but it did not meet better-than-average food standards that I am familiar with....OK, I say all of this cause I know this may not be a fair assessment and it sounds like I'm an Ameri-snob but that is what I'm working with.... We were staying near the Royal MIle and had passed by this place on a few walks. Decided to head out to have lunch there. Upon arriving, it was raining (outdoor seating closed) so we were immediately led to the back dining room. A very pleasant, modern space with a wall of glass on one side. Waiter came within a few minutes and got a drink order and an orange juice / seltzer mix for the kids. My wife got a pink froo-froo drink that came in a Martini glass and didn't like it (as usual). I tried it and it was OK...just not her thing. She switched to wine. I got a Hendricks Negroni which was really good and stout if you like bitters. Thing 1 and Thing 2 ordered kids penne pasta (not on the menu)....one with just butter and one with a red sauce. Red sauce was a bit weak and flavorless. Wife and I shared a scallop app that was pretty good...had a salad with cilantro and a mayo-based sauce on the side. Then came the main courses....wife got the salmon med rare and I got the fish and chips. Salmon was reported as just OK and fish and chips were good except for that English tradition of serving things with mushy peas underneath them. Not too bad of an idea, and I don't have anything against peas, but the they need to have some flavor so that they enhance the dish and this wasn't the case. A bit bland. Tartar sauce accompanying my dish as well as the "chips" were tasty. The presentation was very nice here. Check was 120 pounds which seemed very steep (hmm....is this about $200 USD!!!! ouch). But, very good service. I would say that there are many other places to eat in this town....I will have to try a few more before I can compare this with other options in the area. Probably won't be back here on this trip. read more

The other reviews have this place right - it is really good. We went late and the place was quiet. Attentive staff brought my wife local lamb that was perfectly prepared while I ordered the salmon. Perfection in preparation and presentation. read more

Angels with Bagpipes - Local Salmon with goodness. - Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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We ate here after hearing amazing things about this restaurant, and I can gladly say we were not disappointed. The staff was very friendly, and the food was absolutely delicious. Everything in the dish we ordered went together so well. After traveling through Europe for 6 weeks, I can honestly say that this was one of the best dishes I ate on the entire trip. read more

Angels with Bagpipes - Lamb dish. - Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

We had a really nice lunch here - i felt a bit sloppy and underdressed in my super-tourist apparel but the place isnt stuffy and we felt welcomed. the soup -- cauliflower velouté -- was quite memorable, as was the side dish of carrots perfectly cooked, with cumin seeds. Service is a little on the clueless side for an upscale place, but was well-intentioned. read more

Definitely not $$$. This is some seriously affordable luxury, with a hostess that will check your coat, wait staff that will fold your napkin when you get up, and staff that will lead you to the restroom. ^_^ I absolutely adore everything about this place. From the posh atmosphere, the exquisitely plated food, the gracious service, seriously everything. A prix fixe menu will keep costs down significantly . Though I went on one night and had a lovely dinner for two with wine and a shared dessert for less than £60. Side note: there is a slippery spot in the back room that I hope they've polished over by now. Three woman slipped on it during brunch, me being one of them. One minute you're enjoying toast, and the next your skirt's flown up and you've flashed everyone the goods. Still not enough to sour a great experience, haha. read more

There is a reason this place has so many solid reviews. The food is was incredible! We were so excited for our reservation at Angels with Bagpipes after reading the reviews. The staff was very friendly and very welcoming. We enjoyed a nice bottle of pinot as well as some scotch to start. For mains we had the scallops which came with ham hock, leek, cauliflower and squid ink. The other main we enjoyed was the salmon which was so fresh and flavorful (cooked to perfection). For dessert we chose the Mascarpone which was topped off with strawberry, raspberry, mint, and chocolate. Great date spot, a bit pricey but worth every penny. One of the premier restaurants in Edinburgh. read more

I'm from the US so I'm picky and must say that I have yet to find any memorable food in the UK. The food and service here were good. If we could give 3.5 stars..I would give this place 3.5. That being said, I would go back here for the food. read more

As it was Joe A. and my one year anniversary on Saturday, what better opportunity to try out Angels with Bagpipes! It had been on our radar for a while and now we've finally been. The staff are lovely and friendly. They are very polite and go out of their way to accommodate you, but without being over the top. The menu is mouthwatering and did not disappoint. I had a smoked salmon starter. The attention to detail was spot on. The piece of salmon was nice and chunky and garnished with bits of caviar, radishes, etc. Beautiful. For my main course I unusually (not a big meat eater) went for the lamb. It was cooked beautifully and was really tasty. Although I was pretty stuffed, I still managed to squeeze in a dessert of a chocolate orange mousse. It was nice but would have been nicer if it was a bit lighter. A bit too rich after the other courses. My only criticism would be that it was a bit chilly in there. Apart from that it was a nice, relaxing environment, friendly and down to earth staff, and the food was delicious. I wouldn't go here all the time, but it is nice for a special occasion :) read more

Loved the food and the service. The risotto was wonderful and the beef was tender. The pea soup tasted like fresh peas from a garden. Lunch was a great price for two or three courses. read more

I have been there twice and loved the food and experience both times. Excellent service combined with wonderful food which manages to be both interesting and simple at the same time. read more

Angels with Bagpipes - Well appointed - Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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What a wonderful treat this restaurant was! The food was delicious, the staff friendly, and the atmosphere was great. The scallops were amazing! Will definitely return next time we visit Scotland. read more

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Lovely place, had the beef tartare & the haggis. Beef tartare was wonderful, and the haggis was a nice creative preparation.

The food was very good. Small portions, so don't bring a big appetite. The wait staff was very helpful recommending places to go after we ate! They ran out of ketchup? Hmmmmm.... Oh well. read more

Wonderful restaurant worthy of a Michelin Star (so said the London Restauranteur who was seated with us). Portions are perfect size and the food is rich and we'll prepared. We had pork belly (a must!), roasted beef (fork tender and extremely tasty). Servers were helpful and got us in with no reservations but we'd recommend you get them as this place is fantastic. read more

Visiting from the US and this was our first dinner spot! It was a delicious introduction to Scottish cuisine. We loved everything we had. Two ordered the lamb, one mackerel, and one sole. We were pleasantly surprised by the haggis. read more

Angels with Bagpipes - Haggis starter - Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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After going to many restaurants this past week, I'd have to say this spot was Alright. I think overall its just because I seem to have made the bad choice on the menu! I ordered Fish with Squid and some sort of chorizo risotto underneath. I have to say the dish was so salty I was considering taking it back. The other dinners were nice, all the presentation is well done and the staff were really kind. Although this choice that I made put me off, especially because the prices are pretty high. For a starter my dad and I shared a goats cheese and beetroot ensemble. It was very delicious and the presentation was cool enough that my family and I want to re-create it at home. The prices are high, the service and ambiance is nice, however I just don't think I'd rush back ASAP. read more

This place was recommended to us and it was right near where we were staying. I didn't realize how nice it would be until we got there. We had some beef tartare which was amazing. I had the venison and I think it might be the best venison I have ever had. The food is amazing and you leave very satisfied. read more