Located on Dublin Street, Little White Pig has a unique offering for the centre of Edinburgh. Still very much a part of the sophisticated New Town, there is a trendy elegance about the venue and an interesting cocktail menu, with weekly specials created in-house. However, being positioned on the edge of the centre of the city, there is also the friendliness of a local bar where dogs are welcome.
This impression is confirmed in the décor, which combines a slightly industrial feel from bare wood and metal features, with colourful, mismatched chairs, bright cushions and intimate lighting.
The seasonal and locally sourced food menu also provides a range of options, whether you are looking for a pub classic like a burger and chips, or something a little more interesting.
I begin with plump Shetland Mussels with white wine, leek and mustard sauce, which can also be ordered as a main, and am pleasantly surprised by the addition of an enormous wedge of Company Bakery sourdough to soak up the delicious sauce.
For my main course, I stick with seafood and have the Pan-fried Fillet of Cod, cauliflower puree, potatoes and salsa verde. The cod is perfectly cooked, but it is the cauliflower puree that takes things to a whole new level, perfectly complementing the meaty fish and adding a savoury depth to the dish.
My guest opts for the Arancini, a special for this evening, and Beef Short Rib with chanterelle mushrooms, champ mash and red wine jus, which I understand is a very comforting, tasty plate of food, so tasty in fact, it is inhaled before I can try it.
It is a pleasant place to sit and ruminate, watching groups of friends enjoying rounds of cocktails and good food together, while the staff share passing chat with regulars and well-behaved dogs welcome the occasional pat on the head.
The venue also has a cosy downstairs bar called Noir, which can be hired for private groups or events, and takes on a new feel during the week with a student night and live DJs.
I could easily have declined dessert and felt the better for it, but the rich and smooth Chocolate Delice with baileys custard called to me, and was well worth the calorific intake, though I did feel slightly bad that I couldn’t finish the generous portion.
Content and unable to eat another bite, these little piggies go home. (D. Spencer)
Little White Pig - 26B Dublin St, Edinburgh. EH3 6NN - T: 0131 556 3036
E: reservations@littlewhitepig.co.uk