Drinks are from Belhaven Brewery and Inverarity Morton and until now, LWP was known for being a gastro-pub. However, at the beginning of February 2023, they’ve taken a new direction with their menu, going for a more laid-back, pub grub kind of vibe.
David Vacek, the Little White Pig’s Operations Manager, explains: “The gastro-pub menu was great but we wanted to simplify the menu so that the staff didn’t spend hours prepping the various elements in the basement kitchen.”
The menu offers: Bits & Bobs – priced at £6 each, (Monday – Friday, 12 – 3 pm, choose any three for just £12); three different type of Burgers, including a mushroom one - £13 or double up for £5 (Monday– Friday, 12 – 3 pm, choose any burger for £10); and four different types of mains. And on Fridays and Saturdays, there’s a special, giving the kitchen a chance to get creative.
We try Haggis Bon Bons with Turnip Pickle (a bit disappointing – too dry), Hot Honey Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Ranch (hot, spicy and delicious but very sticky so you’ll need more than the one lemon wipe and a good supply of napkins) and the Arancini served with crispy onion and truffle mayo (pronounced as “a winning dish”).
My fellow diner opts for the 8oz Blackened & Smoked Denver Steak, with Peppercorn Sauce and Frites (£20) – devoured with no problem. The smoky medium-rare tender steak is cooked perfectly and declared “a nine out of 10”.
I choose the special, which we all heard as a 6oz T-bone Steak, and perfect for sharing! But when the food is presented, we realise we’d misheard- what is actually a beautifully, cut tender 16oz T-bone with marrow gravy (thick and unctuous and full of flavour) with a bowl of buttered kale and fries. We still manage to do it justice though.
For dessert we share a dense chocolate and ale cake, salted caramel and whipped cream, which is a lovely discovery and I have a scoop of their homemade rhubarb sorbet, which is the perfect palate cleanser.
All in all, we had a great evening but if I have one niggle, it would be to request not to sit at the table by the stairs. It’s directly below the door so it's very chilly when anyone enters or exits.
A stone’s throw from St Andrew’s Square in Dublin Street, this little gem of a neighbourhood bar/restaurant is worth venturing off the beaten track for. Keep your eye on their social media for one-off ‘events’ and food offers. And if you’re looking to host an event, check out their large, basement event space Noir, with its own entrance. More New York than Edinburgh, it’s a flexible space that can be hired exclusively or by different areas for smaller groups.
(K. Teakle)
The Little White Pig – 26b Dundee Street, Edinburgh EH3 6NN – 0131 556 3096
Photo credit: Steven Sharp
