Number Seven - Edinburgh, City of

My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. We arrived for lunch at 1.00 pm and found only 5 people in the restaurant, including us and a table of 3 others. Despite there being 3 staff members on duty, they were not busy and spent their time chatting at the reception. It took 40 minutes for our lunch to arrive. I ordered the 2 course lunch for £15 and requested for one of the starters to be made into a main course, which was promised to be no trouble. However, I was served with only 3 small slices of smoked salmon and a small amount of frisee lettuce. When I mentioned that this was insufficient for a meal, I was offered extra salad, which arrived 5 minutes later in the form of a bowl of lettuce with minuscule amounts of tomato and cucumber, as well as a roughly chopped red onion, with very little dressing. The desserts were passable, but it took a total of 2 hours to receive our 2 courses, leaving no time for coffee as our parking meter was running out. Overall, the experience was appalling. I had suggested this restaurant for a birthday celebration and felt embarrassed by my choice. The staff were dismissive, the atmosphere was lacking, and the food was mediocre. I will not be returning.

The charming restaurant had great service, however, the food was underwhelming.

The food was good value and the staff were nice not 10 10 but def 7 or 8. This is not a five star option but if you 're looking for a nice relaxed evening without pretension then I 'd recommend it. We had carpaccio of beef smoked salmon starters both were good. Mains were sea bass goat 's cheese and walnut ravioli with asparagus and capers hubby reported sea bass was good and despite the pasta being a tad too thick the ravioli was lovely. Desert rhubarb jelly with avacado ice cream and hubby had selection of Scottish cheese. Rhubarb jelly was delish, avacado ice cream with interesting. 10 10 for not serving the cheese from the fridge only commen t would be was it really Scottish cheese , seemed like, brie dolce latta applewood smoked. The wine was nice and reasonable at £23 a bottle the house house wine was equally good (v nice surprise). It was quiet when we went only guests there until we were nearly finished our mains that said we didn 't feel awkward as the staff were nice, attentive but not overly so and even changed the cd when I complained the music was a bit funereal. The top table deal of £20 for 3 courses plus a glass of wine was well worth it and I 'd give it a go.

The food is lovely not a large choice but well presented and properly prepared. The amuse bouche starters are something different and very tasty. We've eaten here several times and never been disappointed. The waiters are actually the porters and so are looking after guest arrivals as well as serving in the restaurant, so I guess it can get slow at times when it's busy. Not an excuse; just an observation. Perhaps they need more staff for times such as these. The ambience in the restaurant is quiet and relaxing and even sitting in the window the radiators keep you nice and warm.

A person can only be patronisingly called madam so many times, I am not sensitive to such things but this particular waiter was truly dreadful. We were sitting by the window which although a lovely position was very cold, if they are to have tables so near the window then under window heating is necessary. Huge time delay between starter and main course (only 14 covers, most of whom were eating their main course when we sat down, 4 still to be seated) so much so that we were offered complimentary coffee and petit fours. The braised beef was not tender, in fact a chore to eat. When this was mentioned the aforementioned waiter didn 't quite know how to respond and was so flustered failed to offer us dessert from the extremely limited dessert menu. All in all a very disappointing experience. They need to improve the waiting staff and find a new chef.