Nordic noir not an option at Sofi’s Bar in Leith

Review: Sofi's Bar

An image of Sofi's Bar from the outside (Edinburgh & Us, 2017).

So, it appears those pesky Vikings have developed a softer side down the centuries. Sofi’s homely and welcoming bar is located just off the shore on Henderson Street and is owned by Swedish couple Anna and Mike Christopherson who moved to Edinburgh over a decade ago with a firm view that they wanted to open a pub. In a recent interview Anna, elaborated: “Many in Sweden don’t have pubs so people are so lonely – they sit at home watching TV instead with nowhere to go. When we moved here we wanted people to be able to come into a bar and feel welcome even if you have never been in before.”

Sofi's won the Heart of the Community award the National Best Bar One awards for 2014. Anna Christopherson (centre) was pictured with bar managers. Image source. One of its sister restaurants Akva Bar won the 'Best Independent Pub' category 2017-2018. 

Open early in the day and till late every evening this is a space that positively implores you to pop in at any time of day. Candlelit circular tables are arranged neatly around the bar. These quickly fill at the weekend but standing room only doesn’t seem to bother their clientele. Many customers choose to snuggle up in their Backroom which is festooned with cushioned arm chairs, games and books.

Sofi's backroom with candles, books and cake stand of Tunnock's teacakes and wafers. Image source.

Friendliness of their bar staff is second to none. They are always keen to engage with their customers beyond the perfunctory service sadly found in many establishments. The music soundtrack in the background is well chosen and there is the bonus of an open mic night every Sunday between 8.00pm and 10.00pm.

Cocktails, on a midweek offer at Sofi's.

Interactive events are high on their agenda. Sofi’s won the ‘Heart of the Community Award’ in the national Best Bar None Awards. It recognised their endeavour to engage the community. These regular events include dog days, clothes swapping meet-ups, knitting and film nights, which are advertised on blackboards within as well as online on their Facebook page.

A whippet sleeping next to his owners at the dog-friendly pub.

Six Bars in Edinburgh are now under the control of these enterprising Nordic entrepreneurs. All, including Boda Bar on Leith Walk and Akva in Fountainbridge, embrace the original concept forged many years ago. Sofi’s is a splendid neighbourhood venue providing Leithers, and those lucky enough to make the journey, a ‘Swedish Midsummer’ welcome through all the seasons.

Drinks at Sofi's in Leith.

Star Rating: ****

For more information and to find out about their upcoming events, visit their website at http://www.bodabar.com/sofis.

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Teuchters Landing – Whisky galore and more

As you approach the Teuchter’s Landing pub the first thing you become aware of is the warm glow that emanates through the windows. The feeling of conviviality continues the moment you walk through the door.

The bar and gantry to the right is a feast for the eyes of any beer or whisky lover. Staff are always attentive and greet you cheerily when you arrive. 

This pub, on Dock Place, Leith, is rarely empty and as you wander through the building there are up to five distinct areas where you can choose to sit.

Reminiscent in style to many traditional English country pubs this converted ferry ticket office has small rooms and snugs aplenty and is finished at the back with an inviting conservatory area overlooking Leith Water. 

This area has an arresting painted mural along one wall that depicts many local celebrities and luminaries. 

The challenge is to identify characters, though drawn with undoubted enthusiasm, the artist appears to have recalled mostly from memory. Perhaps having sampled too many spectacular malts during the process. 

However J.K.Rowling, Ian Rankin and Oor Wullie were readily spotted. And a couple of guys in the background could have been the Proclaimers. Or just a couple of guys in the background wearing black rimmed spectacles.

Teuchters serve hearty portions of Scottish pub food but with a little more effort and finesse in the kitchen their menu could have broader appeal. The Ploughman’ Deli Board was just plain bad unfortunately. 

Their haggis, neeps and tatties were on par with what you might expect at some of Edinburgh's best eateries. They came served in a small ½ pint mug with a jug of whisky and Arran mustard cream for £5.25.

But it is the character and ambience of this venue that wins the day. A marvellous place to watch the six nations rugby and a rare treat on many a dreich Edinburgh evening. Global warming if it comes quickly enough will also allow the pretty seating area out back the chance to shine more often.

The SCAMPI Test 22/30

Service: 4

Cooking: 3

Atmosphere: 4

Music: 4

Price: 3

Inspiration: 4

To find out more information visit their website at http://teuchtersbar.co.uk/.

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Roseleaf Cafe Bar Review - Wherever I lay my hat that's my home from home

Roseleaf Bar Cafe Review - wherever I lay my hat that’s my home from home

Our friend Zara, practising sceptic and curmudgeon, is the barometer, mostly set at gloomy, by which we gauge the success of a night, or day, out. In other words can we free her from the shackles of doom that often cloud her judgement.

Today, we give the Roseleaf Bar and Café, situated prettily in the Port of Leith, a chance to shine. It’s Saturday lunchtime and with no prior reservation we learn later that we were fortunate to find a space.

The Roseleaf has garnered many glittering reviews since opening in July 2007 and falls just short of five stars on Facebook and TripAdvisor

Settling in we order some fresh fruit juices - had it been later in the day we may have chosen some of their Pot-Tails (cocktails in teapots). ‘The Coconut Crunch’ juice, which combined pineapple, coconut water and apple was a hit. The menu described one of this drink’s health benefits as ‘great for soothing nausea’ – an ideal choice for our companion who often complains of feeling sickly.

The bar, which is open all daily from 10am until 1am, has a few drinkers sampling the venue’s extensive range of beers.

It has eclectic decor with sturdy, old fashioned furniture and objects that they describe on their website as ‘random treasure which continues to blossom with new curiosities that we find along the way’.

An assortment of vintage hats hang on the wall stands which visitors can choose to wear during their stay. A group at the table next to us wear some of them and we question whether we have stumbled into a bygone era.

Below the hanging hats are art work from artists and photographers who are free to use the bar as a temporary gallery.

We order some brunch from menus folded into the middle of dated editions of National Geographic magazines, and a friendly staff member kindly helps me to choose between two vegetarian dishes.

We look at some of the photographs on display from Javier Ternero, of Seville, who has captured stunning portraits of people and landscapes from around the globe from the Andes in South America, Segovia in Spain and even a few from Edinburgh.

'On The Road' photograph by Javier Ternero as displayed at The Roseleaf. Credit: www.facebook.com/Roseleaf.Bar.Cafe.

These are interspersed with oil paintings by the Scottish painter, Charly Murray, who has drawn attractive scenes of Edinburgh and various pieces whilst on his travels.

When the food arrives, Zara and all three of her guests, each believe that their meal was the top choice on the menu and everyone can’t be right.

Zara’s recommended ‘The Roseleafer’ vegetarian breakfast and was most impressed with her ‘award winning vegetarian haggis’. The kitchen source produce from local suppliers and cook everything from scratch. Beans, roasted tomatoes, their home-made tattie scone and bread, a flat cap mushroom, wilted spinach and eggs accompanied it. Zara greedily mopped it all up.

I enjoyed the pleasant flavour of their spicy risotto dish called the ‘Rice and Spice’. Its gallimaufry of ingredients included rice, mixed beans and herbs with a fried egg, sliced avocado and tortilla crisps placed carefully on top.

Brunch was both tasty and affordable - with everyone in our group spending less than £15 for a main course and drink. The quirky décor, thoughtful touches and friendly staff provide much of the venue’s charm. Zara left with flickerings of joy on her lips. Not a bad result given that those gorgeous sounding Pot-tails will need to be sampled at a later date.

The SCAMPI Test 26/30

Service: 5

Cooking: 4

Atmosphere: 5

Music: 3

Price: 5

Inspiration: 4

To find out more information visit their website at www.roseleaf.co.uk. 

A trickle more at Treacle

Treacle's logo.

KICK off your slippers, pull on your coolest converse classics and make a run to Edinburgh New Town’s trendiest bar and eatery.

Treacle Bar and Kitchen is currently the ‘in’ place to go for a drink or bite to eat – a busy Thursday lunchtime visit indicates trendsetters are bananas about the fashionable retreat.

To reach it just follow their smiley comic style cheeky monkey logo which can be easily spotted when walking along Broughton Street.

After climbing down the concrete steps off of the street customers are met with welcoming blend of funky music and contemporary décor.

Upbeat and attentive staff offer table service. Our server wears neat high-waisted jeans and a sweet smile and attends to customers with a calmness that suits the venue’s laid-back style.

The food menu is the same all day, with a selection of breakfast options available until 12pm Monday to Friday, and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. These appear to be reasonably priced from £6 with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

The bar and restaurant's interior.

Other combined lunch and dinner items range from £9-13 and include sandwiches, burgers, pies, salads and noodle and rice bowls.

My friend enjoyed the dong po ru pork belly with brown rice, pak choi, lotus root and red chilli jam for £10.95.

I was satisfied with my sweet potato, spinach and goats cheese pie, served simply with home cut chips and salad. At £12.95 it was a fairly pricey lunch.

My lunch at Treacle.

They offer a lengthy list of curiously named cocktails at the bar, and fresh fruit juices. As it was lunchtime we opted for suki teas, my friend choosing the pink grapefruit flavoured one.

Breakfast items photographed during a previous visit.

Although we didn’t opt for a dessert – entitled ‘Sweet Stuff’, options included Belgian waffles with Nutella and smashed berries, and American style chocolate peanut butter cookies and Luca’s ice creams flavours.

This is a hip place to enjoy some food and a casual cocktail with friends, family, or your Treacle Tart!

The Scampi Test 

Score 25/30

Service: 4

Cooking: 4

Atmosphere: 5

Music: 5

Price: 3

Inspiration: 4

A view from outside.