I don't remember how I stumbled across Noto when I spontaneously planned to go to Edinburgh. But I did write a note saying crab butter so I know why I saved it. I visited the place the night before and was able to get a table for lunch the next day (this was on a weekday by the way).
At lunch, the person who served me is my new favorite person. She was so kind and knowledgeable and helped me to make decisions on what to get. Especially since the dishes are presented as tapas, she helped me decide what might be too big or small.
Let me tell you this now. I hope that north sea crab, warm butter with sourdough is back when I return. Because that is a super dish. There was enough crab that I could get pieces in each bite, the butter was salted and warmed to the extent that the flavor lasts in your tongue especially with the herbs added. I debated just eating it with a spoon when I ran out of the sourdough.
I also ordered the belly laugh farm kale, wakame seaweed, cashew salad to have an easy green to digest. I also had the burnside KFP', partridge, hot sauce because it is Christmas time and "patridge in a pear tree " was stuck in my head when I read the menu. The salad was light and crunchy due to the cashews. The partridge was gamey (as expected) and was adequately saucy.
I also had a few drinks on the side, a glass of champagne and the clover club which was classically sweet with the raspberry and fluffy with the egg whites.
There was an easy vibe when I ate. Not too pretentious but a great place to take yourself or someone special. I would beeline to this place next time I'm in Edinburgh and try for dinner and the other dishes (but will order the crab). read more