Badger & Co - a feast fit for Toad Hall: new chapter for literary themed Edinburgh restaurant

Cranachan Teacake

Badger & Co has started a new dining chapter at its famous Castle Street venue that celebrates the best local and seasonal produce. 

While still focusing on the pies and elevated pub classics that have secured its success, new Head Chef Scott Campbell has revamped the restaurant’s offerings to focus more on dishes made from scratch with local provenance and seasonality, as well as adding a small plates menu to give diners greater flexibility. New Scottish supplier offerings are as diverse as Wagyu from Fife, Blackthorn sea salt from Ayr, and Highland Clava Brie.

Badger & Co takes its name from one of the main characters in the classic children’s book, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, who was born at 32 Castle Street in 1859. The venue contains various quirky features in tribute to its namesake fairytale, as well a rather luxurious finish to the furnishings in keeping with its grand Georgian home. 

To start we choose a couple of small plates: a delicious plate of Scottish Smoked Salmon with a punchy glaze of Leith-based Woven whisky, caviar, shiny crème fraiche, dill oil and focaccia crackers; and the decadent, cheesy Baked Caramelised Onion with truffle cheese fondue, crispy leeks and house focaccia.

For main we select the succulent Ayrshire Pork Tomahawk with n’duja and red pepper glaze based on our server’s recommendation, and the meaty Steak and Peppercorn Pie, which gains extra taste points for being a full pie rather than just a lid of pastry, and for the delicious bone marrow gravy.

From the ‘For the table’ menu, we go for chips and a delicious combo of spring cabbage with whipped feta, crispy cavalo nero and pecans, though it is to be noted that both the mains come with veg on the side already.

It seems the chef has had particular fun with the dessert menu. A genius combination, steeped in nostalgia, the Cranachan Teacake contains raspberry and whisky jam, marshmallow, raspberries, rose honey and whipped crème fraiche – think a boozy, liqueur version of the Tunnocks classic. The Sticky Toffee Tea Party is equally good and an excellent example of the STP genre, with Earl Grey date puree, salted Blackthorn caramel sauce and clotted cream ice cream.

With an enviable location, a warm welcome and a refreshed menu that showcases the best of Scottish produce, booking for Badger & Co is essential. As part of the Signature Group, the restaurant is also part of the Crave loyalty scheme, with frequent special offers and discounts, making that Cranachan Teacake taste all the sweeter.

Badger & Co - Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3HT -  www.badgerandco.com