I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide
Then I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side
I said, "Hey Carmen, come on let's go downtown"
She said, "I gotta' go but my friend can stick around"
It's a big, exciting world out there - so much to see and do and explore. And this is a big part of my decision to embark on the whole chef career thing. But I have to admit (and anyone who knows me won't be surprised by this), I'm probably at my happiest just sitting on a coach, with several cold beers, a huge bag of Ched-a-corn, facing a massive TV. I just love it. And with this current setup, who wouldn't?
Sadly though, we have fuck all in the way of channels here (by North American standards anyway) and no DVR, so nothing can be recorded. But it is a great spot to spend a good 8 hours or so. Having said all that, the point of this post is to provide a little look at the city of Edinburgh. Even though I'm usually knackered after the 5 days/80 hours of life in the kitchen, I can occasionally drag my ass out of the house and attempt to re-integrate with the civilized world. And this generally involves me, a few newspapers & magazines, and pints. So here are a few of the watering holes I like in this fine city...
Underdogs is a pretty low-key, unassuming place -
They don't have a great selection of beers - and no draught - but it's decor I think is very cool. It's just a whole bunch of old couches and chairs spread around a couple of large rooms. It's like you're drinking in a used furniture store - which I find pretty groovy -
It's a good place to read. You'd totally be at home wearing a cardigan and holding a pipe. And their pork scratchings are "ace" (yes, that's just pretty much deep-fried pig skin) -
For something a bit more lively (sometimes a bit too lively), and if you can handle all the old people there, The Cafe Royal is one the classic pubs with a lot of history and that distinct "British" feel.
It's in a bit of a touristy spot in New Town so it can get rammed pretty quickly but the great selection of pints makes up for it. Some Old Engine Oil with of course, crisps -
But if you're looking to chat up some fit birds, this is not the place. For that the better place would be Element (although I've never talked to a woman once there). It's on Rose St. which is a lovely pedestrian street that runs through New Town. Bit more of a bar/lounge type place. I didn't bother to snap the inside as I usually sit outside regardless of the weather -
The other notable thing about this place are the George-Costanza-approved doors on the bathroom stalls -
This next one is sort of becoming my local - The Roseleaf. It is literally across the street from where I live. I can get there in 30 seconds. And you can't beat that proximity. Most British washrooms are disgusting so it's actually quite feasible to come home and use my own which is just swell.
Like, I could almost take this photo from my couch.
And what better to go with a few beers than some live music! This guy sits in the same spot playing the exact same song over and over late at night in New Town. But I think it's brilliant -
Then I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side
I said, "Hey Carmen, come on let's go downtown"
She said, "I gotta' go but my friend can stick around"
It's a big, exciting world out there - so much to see and do and explore. And this is a big part of my decision to embark on the whole chef career thing. But I have to admit (and anyone who knows me won't be surprised by this), I'm probably at my happiest just sitting on a coach, with several cold beers, a huge bag of Ched-a-corn, facing a massive TV. I just love it. And with this current setup, who wouldn't?
Sadly though, we have fuck all in the way of channels here (by North American standards anyway) and no DVR, so nothing can be recorded. But it is a great spot to spend a good 8 hours or so. Having said all that, the point of this post is to provide a little look at the city of Edinburgh. Even though I'm usually knackered after the 5 days/80 hours of life in the kitchen, I can occasionally drag my ass out of the house and attempt to re-integrate with the civilized world. And this generally involves me, a few newspapers & magazines, and pints. So here are a few of the watering holes I like in this fine city...
Underdogs is a pretty low-key, unassuming place -
They don't have a great selection of beers - and no draught - but it's decor I think is very cool. It's just a whole bunch of old couches and chairs spread around a couple of large rooms. It's like you're drinking in a used furniture store - which I find pretty groovy -
It's a good place to read. You'd totally be at home wearing a cardigan and holding a pipe. And their pork scratchings are "ace" (yes, that's just pretty much deep-fried pig skin) -
For something a bit more lively (sometimes a bit too lively), and if you can handle all the old people there, The Cafe Royal is one the classic pubs with a lot of history and that distinct "British" feel.
It's in a bit of a touristy spot in New Town so it can get rammed pretty quickly but the great selection of pints makes up for it. Some Old Engine Oil with of course, crisps -
But if you're looking to chat up some fit birds, this is not the place. For that the better place would be Element (although I've never talked to a woman once there). It's on Rose St. which is a lovely pedestrian street that runs through New Town. Bit more of a bar/lounge type place. I didn't bother to snap the inside as I usually sit outside regardless of the weather -
The other notable thing about this place are the George-Costanza-approved doors on the bathroom stalls -
This next one is sort of becoming my local - The Roseleaf. It is literally across the street from where I live. I can get there in 30 seconds. And you can't beat that proximity. Most British washrooms are disgusting so it's actually quite feasible to come home and use my own which is just swell.
Like, I could almost take this photo from my couch.
And what better to go with a few beers than some live music! This guy sits in the same spot playing the exact same song over and over late at night in New Town. But I think it's brilliant -
And I did tip him a fiver for recording the video (it almost blew away!).
So there you go - a little slice of Edinburgh. Time for a beer....
P.S. - The title of this post is taken from the name of a so-so British sitcom. Don't bother downloading...
