I donโt like being wrong, though I often am.
For example, I was trying to describe the location of this new cafe to an acquaintance. Itโs on The Meadows, I said, before giving her the full address.
Technically, thatโs Bruntsfield Links, she replied. How I bristled. Donโt tell an old Edinburger how to suck Scotch eggs, I thought.
I blame low blood sugar for my irritation, but it turns out she was right. Itโs quite near the putting green bit, so it would've served me right if Iโd been hit in the head by a golf ball.
Time to eat humble pie, at this box fresh cafe. Itโs in the former premises of Castello, and is owned by the team behind the excellent LeftField restaurant, which is on the corner, just a few doors along.
They havenโt changed the look of the double-level space, with its green views, too much, apart from giving it a lick of paint.
Thereโs also the word Margot painted on the window, with a lovely lavish loop on the gโs tail. I wish my signature looked like that, instead of an ECG chart.
Iโm still not sure who theyโve named it after. I meant to ask, but got distracted. Maybe Barbie-star Robbie, or Fonteyn. I doubt itโs my favourite of all time, The Good Lifeโs Leadbetter
The menu features a good selection of brunch and lunch friendly options, which you order up at the counter. (Nobody told us that, so we were waiting expectantly, like baby birds in the spring nest, until the penny dropped).
On another day, I might have gone for the croque Margot (ยฃ12), with pancakes, eggs, spinach, ham and bechamel, or the sourdough with Rhyze mushrooms, miso, sesame and broccolini (ยฃ9).
However, as Iโd just been to my Sunday morning double exercise class sesh, I went for what I imagined might be the most filling of options, along with a restorative glass of their own LeftField rhubarb soda (ยฃ4)
The pulled beef brisket, gochujang mayo and purple slaw sandwich (ยฃ11) was the correct decision.
It was a burly and feral meaty sourdough doorstop, with subtle heat from the Korean condiment and crunch from the finely chopped cabbage. The side salad was good too - rocket, but well-dressed with loads of salt and lemon, which made it as addictive as crisps, and with pale strips of mooli and red onion pickle on top.
My pal had gone for the white onion tart-tatin (ยฃ9) - a small-ish coppery tile of puff pastry, topped with caramelised and sticky sweet onions. It came with their take on romesco sauce, but with lots of vinegary capers added to the terracotta pulp. And there was more of that rocket, with thin slivers of pickled radish on top.
Weโd also ordered the soup of the day (ยฃ6.50), which was a spiced butternut squash. Thankfully, it didnโt have the dreaded thick and baby-food-ish texture, but was smooth and spangly hot, with herby oil on the top and two slices of well-fired sourdough, plus a cube of butter on the side.
There are a couple of sweet dishes on the menu, as well as cakes up by the window, with bostocks, cookies, pecan brownies and scones galore. There was even a whole cake, about the size of a fascinator, for ยฃ15. I did briefly consider it.
However, we couldnโt not order the hot option of pain perdu (ยฃ9), which was utterly heavenly. There was a thick slab of buttery brioche, which was toasted until tortoiseshell, as well as half a tender poached pear, an ocean of sticky toffee sauce and a blob of whipped creme fraiche.
I am filing this one under Favourite Dishes of the Year. Please NEVER take it off the menu.
Their flat whites (ยฃ3.30 each) and cakes are lovely too. My friend went for the raspberry blondie (ยฃ4) and it was a sturdy beast, rather than a sugary frippery. It could probably keep you going up a munro or two. The apple and sage cake (ยฃ4) was more up my street, with a loose crumb and tang from the fruit.
So, itโs just a shame that this fab cafe doesnโt serve humble pie.
If youโre hoping to visit, itโs on Bruntsfield Links. Not The Meadows.
