October 2010

Wish you were here . . .

Portobello beach may not have a blue flag but it does have its own charms and ‘The Espy’ is one of them. It sits proudly on the esplanade looking outward. The chef and owner are both Australian and although it’s not exactly ‘Bondi’, the Espy does have its own ‘Iron Man’ competition on national Australia day January 26^th). There are photos online and get this, they even produce ‘Espy’ Frisbees.

It’s a very popular bar and despite being large it has a comfy, cosy feel due in part to the ‘shabby chic’ décor. Mr Bite and I plonk ourselves on a very squishy sofa and a jug of water pimped with lemon and mint is presented; a nice, attentive touch. I also clocked the blackboards advertising cocktails; Portobello sunset, Espy margarita and Porty breeze.

We start with pints of the guest ale ‘Celtic Trap’ and a mezze of dips with hot flatbread (£4.95) to nibble on. The trio of dips consist of home-made hummus (very nice texture but could have done with a bit of paprika and/or lemon for zing), a beetroot tzatsiki and jalapenos and sour cream. I discover that the last three combine to make a very satisfying and tasty mouthful.

For main courses I choose haddock and chips (£10.95), because I can never resist when I am beside the sea,  and Mr Bite chooses  the ‘Porty’ burger with blue cheese and bacon (£9.95). My ‘fish supper’ is #everything I  could wish for; hot, flaky haddock coated in fresh, crunchy batter, salad, lemon wedges and mouth puckering  tartare. The hoppy, golden ale is a good foil that cleans the palate nicely.  Mr Bite’s burger is a mammoth offering of lean meatiness. He comments that the cutlery is a tad ‘agricultural’; I would call it quirky or vintage. Dessert is a good blackcurrant cheesecake to share and by this time we are good for nothing, well and truly replete.

The Espy’s website is a delight; bold, colourful and funny and it has lots of info about live music slots and seafood nights, the latter happen every second Thursday. 

If I lived in Portobello I would be a happy bunny indeed to have such a great bar on my doorstep and count me in for that   ‘Iron-Man’.