Step into Spring with a new menu at The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen
Carrie Mitchell discovers the new Spring menu at The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen
For Sunday roasts, The Printing Press in The Principal hotel is one of my go-to’s but now the clocks have gone forward, I’m looking for something a little lighter and brighter to match the days. I’m delighted to discover that in addition to those hearty roasts, their new menus are packed with seasonal dishes full of fresh colour and flavour.
For dinner, book a table in the grand dining room to the rear of the bar where gleaming dark wood, art deco chandeliers and a chic checkerboard floor provide an elegant setting for a meal to match.
New menu highlights include artfully assembled starters with Scottish provenance such as Orkney crab and leek thermidor tart, £8, and Rabbit bridie with medjool date and curried carrot, £7; mains feature a stunning pan-seared venison with caramelised celeriac, spinach and brioche herb crumb, £19, and veggie-friendly options like the new Ricotta gnocchi with beetroot, goat’s curd, watercress pesto and pecans, £13. While desserts like Savarin cake with lime and pineapple, £5.50, and Raspberry and almond tart with pistachio ice cream, £6 are zingy and light, leaving you plenty of room for a few after dinner cocktails next door.
If it’s a light weekday lunch you’re looking for, there’s an impressive set menu which you can enjoy in the Editor’s bar overlooking sunny (hopefully) George Street. This menu changes each week so I can’t predict what will be on offer but when I visited, we tucked into starters of pickled mackerel with beetroot, fennel and dill, and a divine celeriac and pear soup (so good I’ve even attempted to recreate it at home), followed by roast hake fillet with puy lentil and red wine jus and Herb Crowdie, garden pea and young broccoli orzo pasta then a blackcurrant panna cotta with pistachio and lemon to share.
With two courses for £15.50 and three for £21; it’s amazing value and never more so than right now, when you can also enjoy a complimentary bottle of house wine to share when two people order three-courses from the Let’s Lunch menu. The offer continues until 24 April so plan a midweek Easter treat now to take advantage. I will be.
To book, Tel: 0131 240 7177 to book or visit printingpressedinburgh.co.uk. The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, 21-25 George Street EH2 2PB.