Gastronomic evening with a fellow foodie

This is probably the most enjoyable part of being in Edinburgh - that so many people find it worthwhile to come and visit. Even if it's just for one evening, as in the case of Wondertoes. The lovely maniac came up just to have dinner with me! I dragged her all around town to build up her appetite. A Scottish restaurant was the only option really, so we put our minds and cellphones together and booked a table for two at the Stac Polly, opposite the Lyceum Theatre. My guidebook was very complimentary, and we were very, very hungry.

The restaurant had a simple, relaxing decor - save for the saluting Scotsman figureby the bar, which was just silly, frankly. Apart from that, the enterior was a simple white with the furnishings all upholstered in the same tartan material. The short menu promised many meaty delights - we uniquevocally boycotted the vegetarian option. This was no evening for lentils.

It is good to hesitate over the menu knowing that the other party is willing to share their portion - four tastings for the price of two! I settled on fishcakes as a starter, but, alas, the dish was greener on the other side. Wondertoes picked a marinated pear wrapped in prosciutto and with a sea-salt dressing. For a moment, there was only silence as my tongue went to heaven and I had to wait for it to find its way home.

The demolition of a fishcake.

The 2005 Valpolicella we ordered went much better with the main dish. There was no point in resisting, the Scottish beef stake was calling to me. It could have just as well stepped out of the kitchen and asked to be grilled, like in the Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy. And when it arrived, it was truly perfect.

Scottish beef at its best.

The dish had so many flavours, and each element had maintained its own structure. My camera steamed up and my eyes watered. I did not hesitate to try Wondertoes' duck with rasberry sauce either - it was fantastic for the first three bites, but then became too sweet. Which was just as well, as after all this I certainly had no space for dessert. I ate more meat in that one evening than I normally do in a month.

Having dinner with a fellow foodie and two cameras.

There was only one thing that could help us digest - the warm healing glow of whisky. Merrily we progressed to Jamaica street, and the Kay's Bar. It looked so inviting, and the cushion on the windowsill was free.

Kay's Bar glows amber.

The stuff dreams are made of.

I could really get used to it. The wonderful wax-whiskered bartender managed to comnprehend what it was I was after, and, yes, soon I was holding a wonderful, beautiful, aromatic glass of Sassicaia, whisky matured in wine barrels. Oh yum. That's the one on the left of the photo. The paler, floral one sadly I don't remember the name of, but I did end up drinking that one as well. Good times.

We had an amazing evening, very gluttonous and very chatty. The only way to finish this adventure was to have a nice, relaxed breakfast before Wondertoes had to catch her bus to the airport. Fortunately Cafe Centro on George Street opens at 8am, does very nice porridge and coffe and, depending on who is behind the counter, I can chat to them in Italian or in Polish, or both. And, the big windows offer a prime opportunity for observing suited and booted office workers on the way to their cells. Sadly, I had to join that stream, bid Wondertoes goodbye and hope we can repeat this some time soon!

Cafe Centro in the early morning.