The Witchery by the Castle
- Rainy
- First Reviewer
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 6
- Reviews
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4
- Photos
Mediocre at Best
- July 11, 2009
- Rated 1 of 5 by
chelfita from edinburgh, California, United Kingdom
I never go to the witchery on my own but I am invited about once a year. I went just last month and the service was appauling! The waiters seem like someone that would be working at an american chain, the sort that come to your table and say "hello, my name is stephanie and I will be your server tonight". I had not noticed this in the past, must be cutting costs during the hard times. I was sitting close to the loo which is RIGHT in the dining area with the word "TOILETS" written on the door in plain sight of all the diners. Very classy. But apparently I was in very close to the stairs and in the way of the waiters who CONSTANTLY bumped into my chair and kept apologizing all night. Very unprofessional. When the waiter asked me how my dish was the only thing that come to mind was that the side dish, the veggies, were very nice with a nice butter and some seasoning and they were not over cooked which is typical of british veg. The waiter then asked how my fish was. I had not even thought about the fish when he first asked how my food was because it was so average and nothing special at all, my veg was more memorable. He seemed annoyed which just confirms my initial suspicion that the wait staff is very unprofessional and belong in TGI fridays more than a "fine dining" establishment. I saw that the witchery just won some award, cant remember the name, and its shocking! Yes, it is a beautiful place but what does that matter if the food is unmemorable and the wait staff just a joke? Says a lot about what people expect in this country when it comes to going out for a nice meal......
Editor Pick
High Class - Often Underrated
- October 19, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
wolfbrother from Edinburgh, United Kingdom
No-one would argue that the setting for the Witchery by the Castle is magnificent. Sitting a stone's throw away from Edinburgh Castle down a charming little alleyway from the historic Royal Mile, you walk down candle-lined steps into a beautifully decorated restaurant and the first impression you get - whether upstairs or down - is one of earthy, accessible, quality fine dining.
The service is outstanding, as is the wine list. A massive tome of a thing, if you know your wines then you will find precisely what you're looking for in this list. With almost 1000 wines to choose from, you'd be forgiven for thinking that they've just crammed it with everything they can find, but far from it. Every option is carefully selected and staff will be happy to advise you if you need a little help ... I know I did!
The food is magnificent. I've spoken to a number of 'foodies' and read several reviews for the Witchery, and I've often heard the food labelled as overrated. But every time I've been there the food has been cooked to perfection. Last visit I had a haunch of speyside venison on a turnip and potato gratin with chocolate oil(!) whilst my wife had an Aberdeen Angus rib-eye and both were mouthwateringly good. Similarly, the desserts and coffee were first class.
It's not cheap, with mains such as those above coming in at around 27 pounds, starters hover around the 10 pound mark and desserts come in at 7.
If this is a little bit pricey then it's well worth coming in for a two course light lunch or pre-theatre supper for a very reasonable 12.95.
Quick tip: ask to see the visitor's book and have a scan through. Some very interesting names in there.
From journal Eating Out in Edinburgh
Editor Pick
The Witchery by the Castle
- February 6, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
On the other end of the scale from the famous British chip shop is The Witchery by the Castle. This is somewhere that I always, without fail, recommend to friends visiting Edinburgh if they want one really flash meal. There are other restaurants in Edinburgh that are rated higher (such as Number One at the Balmoral or Martin Wishart at the shore, which both have Michelin stars), but restaurants such as those are a whole other level of 'fine dining' and price.
The food at The Witchery is top class, with a wonderful setting, but does not have the stuffy formal setting some of the others may. And the price is much better. (So if you are looking to splash out on a £100 meal, rather than a £400 meal.)
Aside from the wonderful food and agreeable service, for me the setting of The Witchery is its best selling point. I love it as a local, but it is its appeal to those visiting the city that makes it really great, as it so nicely sums up the vibe of Scotland's capital.
The walk along the cobblestone Royal Mile leads you up the winding and ancient street towards the castle at the top. And just before you get there, in a little nook just off to your left sits The Witchery. It would be easy to miss if you weren't looking for it. From the street you can look down into the windows of it and see the giant dripping candles along the windows, giving you an idea of the setting for this fantastic restaurant.
Once inside, it is a very nice, low lit setting. It's got a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Candles flicker off the dark walls and amazingly painted and gilded ceilings. The entire restaurant is filled with tapestries and mirrors and paintings depicting the old Scottish links with France in the Auld Alliance. It is an amazing place just to see, and the food in such a setting does not disappoint.
They have a frequently updated menu (at an average of £30 per main course) full of local Scottish produce including the outstanding Aberdeen Angus beef and game. My first visit to The Witchery involved an amazing wild rabbit main course, while my friend had the Aberdeen Angus. And I must tell you, as a Texan, I am almost ashamed to concede that Angus was quite possibly—to this day—the best steak I have ever tasted. It was of incredible quality and cooked to perfection. And though it wasn't a 16-oz. T-bone, it was not a tiny portion, either. This is not a restaurant where you will leave hungry, if even the portions aren't huge.
They have an award-winning wine cellar including the Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence in 2004.
I highly recommend you have a look at their website before heading in this direction. It's very comprehensive and well done. A top class restaurant.
From journal Scotland Cuisine: It's Not as Bad as You've Heard
Editor Pick
Witchery by the Castle
- March 15, 2006
- Rated 3 of 5 by
artslover from Calgary, Alberta
The Witchery by the Castle has two distinct settings. There is the original, low ceiling, tapestry walled dining room, and the Secret Garden with its high ceiling and arched windows. Both have the same menu. Each can make for a romantic setting for dinner. Located barely a step away from Edinburgh Castle, you may want to decide which room you want before making a reservation—you will need a reservation. Despite the very high prices, it is a very popular spot.
The menu is French with a wide range of choices, and the wine list could take a year to read. We dined as a group of eight and the service was impeccable, although not particularly friendly. We had no complaints about the food—very classic gourmet French. We had typical French offerings of oysters and foie gras as starters. I had a vegetarian terrine as a main, which was colourful and flavourful. Others had lamb, beef, and shellfish. While the food was good, it was not as good as you can find elsewhere in Edinburgh. The dessert selection, however, was particularly notable: chocolate torte, vanilla panacotta, pistachio brûlée, and pear parfait. Everyone loved their sweets.
The Witchery has long been a prestige dining spot in Edinburgh. Overall, the setting is more impressive than the food given the prices.
From journal Endlessly Fascinating Edinburgh
The Witchery by the Castle
- August 13, 2005
- Rated 5 of 5 by
mrslampy from Pembroke Pines, Florida
You most likely won't get in without a reservation. It's very small, with only about a dozen tables. It is well worth it, though. The food was wonderful, service was great, and the atmosphere was very nice.
From journal Weekend in Edinburgh