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Witchery & the Secret Garden review Rate it
One historical venue, two dining rooms and tons of ambience. James Thomson opened the Witchery in 1979 in the Witchery by the Castle hotel. Its wood panelling, red leather and candlelit interior lending it a classy reputation; the even more romantic Secret Garden followed in 1989. Neither are cheap and the cooking perhaps hasn't kept up with the Kitchins or Kitchings of this world (see restaurant 21212). However, the food - mains might include saddle of rabbit or monkfish ossobuco - is still of a good standard and the wine list is a local legend.
Witchery & the Secret Garden details
Area Old Town
Transport Bus 2, 23, 27, 41, 42
Telephone 0131 225 5613
Open noon-4pm, 5.30-11.30pm daily.
Main courses £25.
Comments & ratings
My husband and I had lunch here in July, 2010, when visiting from Australia. The food was wonderful and the advice on wines useful. Good food in an historic location but what made it all the more special was the wonderful service. We arrived early as our return train to London was an earlier one than when I had booked. This was not a problem - we were immediately shown to our table. The Witchery is not inexpensive but gives a special experience.
I was dragged here by my ex-Wife in 1998 for an over expensive mediocre micro-dish of admittedly tasty morcels in a half-light reminiscent of someone not having a shilling for the electric meter. I returned more in hope than expectation and was carried out by the Paramedics after an attack of apoplectic proportions at the scale of the price increases and precipitous fall in quality. Go here at your common sense and wallet's peril !
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