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What’s the vibe?
Vinette is the chic new opening from Stuart Ralston, the chef behind Noto, Tipo, Lyla and previously Aizle. On chic Broughton Street, the calm and cool Vinette feels a million miles away from the bustling city centre a block or two away – chic, elegant, but not at all stuffy.
Welcoming too are the prices, which offer a choice between a very reasonable à la carte and an incredibly good value lunch set menu. Is Edinburgh trying to cement itself as the best place for a set menu french bistro style lunch outside of France? Perhaps so. Granted I can only name four restaurants serving this style of menu offering a set lunch menu, but given the relatively small size of Edinburgh it feels significant. Vive la France, Vive la Vinette!
What should I order?
The competition for french bistro style steak frites is fairly fierce in Edinburgh and the Flat Iron at Vinette is a decent new addition to the roster. Crispy fries and lean steak cooked to perfection, plated up alongside a generously sized ramekin of choron sauce, a lightly tomato-ey bernaise. The cod schnitzel is perfectly crispy and comes with a zingy tartare sauce.
But the best thing on the menu? That’s the burger. It was recommended to us and we were genuinely blown away. IMHHO (in my humble hamburger opinion) it is the best burger in Edinburgh.
Starters-wise, the duck hearts are a traditional and delicious option. We got stuck into some smoked trout rillette which came with cucumber and toasted sourdough and was equally well received. As a general rule, I am a fan of almost all nibbles, but anything with crisps is always going to top my list. The housemade potato chips with cream cheese and smoked trout roe were truly a perfect opener to the meal. Pair that with a glass of sparkling or like me, go for the Vinette Martini, and you’re off to a flying start.
What’s nearby?
Vinette is perfectly placed, almost the centre of town but removed from the noise and traffic at the top of Leith Walk and York Road. Broughton Street is a picturesque hill with cobbled streets shooting off in each direction. Its Georgian buildings are now occupied by independent restaurants, flower shops, and some very nice Edinburgh pubs.
Time Out tip
Grab a pre-or-post-drink at Vivien, the team’s cocktail bar directly underneath Vinette – it’s an intimate, late-night space focussing on cocktails, natural wine and bar snacks.