Summer has finally arrived, and it’s time to start revisiting all those little beer gardens and restaurants with views over beautiful green bits of Edinburgh. I visited LeftField recently which has a stunning view over Bruntsfield Links. What a place to enjoy a gold glass of wine when the sun is shining.

LeftField is a neighbourhood restaurant that focuses on great steaks, seafood, puddings, and drinks. It’s an informal, relaxed and friendly kind of place, and if you do like your wine they offer natural and biodynamic wines, some of which you can have by the glass.

We were going alcohol free the night we were there so opted instead for a refreshing jug of elderflower cordial. Out the back was Chef Patron, Phil, and in the front was the other half of the partnership Rachel who looked after us very well.

Having recently won The List’s Readers Award, expectations were high…

I chose the Pumpkin Seed Hummus to start – this was one of those dishes that was so much more than the title suggested. Simple ingredients elevated by perfect cookery and seasoning. Who knew hummus, butternut squash, feta and a couple of crostini could taste so good. A great start!

My friend ordered the Chicken Liver Pate, again a classic and simple dish that was made to feel special with good ingredients and a light, modern presentation. The red onion marmalade and focaccia were a delicious vehicle and garnish for the smooth paté.

It was always between the chicken and beef for mains so it was just a case of who would get which. I passed the decision over and she chose the LeftField 6hr Short Rib of Beef, this was a gelatinous hunk of meat that had been slow cooked until it shredded apart. Definitely one for if you arrive with a bigger appetite, I was surprised to look over and see just a clean bone left on the plate – it clearly went down well!

I had the Chargrilled Chicken which was marinated in thyme, garlic, and lemon. It was beautifully presented and would have been a really healthy choice had we not had two lots of chips and a huge portion of onion rings on the side (by the way, the onion rings are epic and well worth the calories!).

What ensued after this can only be described as sheer gluttony, facilitated by the lovely Rachel (yes, we are going to lay part of the blame at her door!). We couldn’t decide which two desserts to try from a shortlist of three, so Rachel insisted on bringing all three.

It all started with a Flourless Chocolate Cake – these can be dry and heavy, not this one, it was denser than a normal cake but not unpleasantly so. It was accompanied by crème fraîche and an orange oil/.

We moved onto a Lemon Tart with strawberries, elderflower, and gin. Basically all my favourite things on one plate. The pastry was thin and crispy and the macerated strawberries were full of flavour, the syrup that had been produced was the sort you’d happily lick the plate for.

Last but not least was the Eastern Mess, an eastern take on the traditional Eton Mess with flavours of rose, pistachio, and raspberry. A delicious tangle of sweetness which finished us off completely.

We loved LeftField, all the dishes were fresh, flavoursome and beautifully presented. The vibe was relaxed, the view was fantastic, and the soul music was the icing on the cake. No complaints, this one is a winner in my eyes and somewhere I would personally return to.

LeftField
Location: 12 Barclay Terrace, Edinburgh, Eh10 4hp
Price: Starters £6-£7, Mains £12.50 – £26
Good for: Great food, informal vibe, beautiful views
Foodinburgh Offer: Complimentary glass of wine, beer, prosecco, soft drink