Review on The Kitchin
'From Nature to Plate' is the mantra behind Tom Kitchin's appropriately named restaurant in a former whisky distillery on Leith waterfront. He's a local boy who has done the rounds and worked with some of the best in the business including Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse and Pierre Koffmann (some cutlery and plates from La Tante Claire has even found it way into the dining room). Success has come quickly, and The Kitchin now has a Michelin star to its name.
Trappings aside, the dining room puts on a cool face with shades of grey, colourful pieces of blown glass and hand-printed wallpaper - plus a window opening onto the chefs' domain; a shelf of weighty cookbooks provides a clear statement of intent. There's also a conservatory-style bar where you can nibble on sliced saucissons, steamed edamame and vegetable crudités.
The food is a marriage of seasonal Scottish produce (from game to langoustines) with classic French technique, and it's not hard to spot the influence of Kitchin's mentors in the natural flavours and unfussy meddling on the plate.
Starters might include rustic terrine with toast 'soldiers' or hand-dived West Coast scallops with sautéed broccoli and crispy pancetta. The concise menu follows on with - say - lamb (roast loin with a confit of red onion, Szechuan pepper and lemon zest) and halibut (seared and served with ginger tomato chutney and herb beurre blanc). To finish there might be a gratin of red fruits or marinated prunes with spiced bread ice cream. Keenly priced wines.
The Kitchin is also featured in: Michelin Guide, Good Food Guide, AA Guide
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Modern Scottish / French
Chef
Tom Kitchin
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 2.30pm Tue-Sat
Dinner: 6.00 - 10.00pm Tue-Sat
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card
