Lunchtime at the Café Royal, leaving presentation back in the office to Ed Aldridge. Evening quick meal in the Olive Branch, where I ate Sea Bass. The meal was very nice, then it was back to the hotel for an evening in.
Category Archives: Edinburgh
Mai Thai
The feeling of Internet withdrawal symptoms set in today, so went to the Mai Thai for supper and to access the Internet. The Mai Thai Restaurant is a short walk from the centre towards the parliament. Easiest way to find it is to walk down Cowgate, and Holyrood road. When you reach the newspaper building, (on the right), and the Tun, (on the left), turn left up the alley between the Tun, and the Pizza restaurant. The Mai Thai is on the right. On entering, I was asked if I had a blog. The owner had been browsing the Internet, and was looking for sites that mentioned the Mai Thai or linked to his site. They had found my site, and were trying to work out who the blogger was.
The Mai Thai has two distinct sections, a large dining area with modern furniture, a light and airy feel to the room. It can cater for large parties, or romantic meals.
The other area, is a large bar wi! th pool table, TV screen showing football, wireless broad band, and a couple of PCs. There are various modern tables and sofas where you can sit and drink, or eat a meal. Décor is modernistic, with large paintings on the wall. I like to eat here, its informal, I can watch the TV, or work in peace on my laptop while eating. I am never disturbed, other than having my glass refilled.
I ate one course tonight, and it was the duck. I ate this last time when I was with Rosemary. It is absolutely gorgeous. It is braised sliced duck breast served with a thick spicy sauce. I don’t know what it is called, but it’s my favourite.
Edinburgh
5th August 2006
Back at home, our field had been mown, and turned into hay. Today it was baled and carted away.
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Flew up to Scotland from Luton. The airport was in absolute chaos at the security. At least 30 minute queue. No idea what would happened if there were some form of high security alert.
Stayed at the Apex City this week. It has been a long time since staying there. Ate at the Petit Paris.
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Tonight I ate at the Mussel and Steak, quite a good meal of Monk Fish. I just love watching the TV screens, which show the chefs working in the kitchens live. Must admit I never see my food being cooked
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Tonight it was the Petit Paris again, where I had a beautiful steak.
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Didn’t feel like going out, so stayed in at the hotel, rather a mistake, the meal was a bit lack lustre.
Why is Edinburgh so cold
This morning flew to Edinburgh from Luton for a five day stay, allows me an extra hour in bed. Luton was in absolute chaos; the checking hall was totally full. Start of the holiday season I thought, but apparently Easyjet had a problem with their booking system. They delayed all their flights by over an hour to ensure passengers were able to make it to through to departures. Even so someone did not make it.
Flying up I was able to see the coast line from North of the Wash, round Norfolk, Suffolk, and down the Essex coastline. This was while flying over Northampton. On arrival at Edinburgh, found my laptop was not in the overhead lockers, so I rushed out of the plane, barging past everyone, and managed to find the culprit who had taken my laptop. He had accidentally picked the wrong case, though the ones left in the locker seemed very different to mine, and he had still not noticed when he put papers into to bag. In future I sh! all take more notice of what people are taking out of the locker as they leave.
Ate in the hotel today, sitting at the bar.
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Another sunny day, but not very hot.
Had supper at Time-4-Thai. I have eaten there before for lunch with the other bank people. The waiters and waitresses are very attentive. Had a mixed platter of starters followed by a green curry.
Had a call from Mary and Ed, met up with them at the Bank Hotel. They were sitting outside drinking wine, with 3 others from the bank. Couple of them were staying in the Raddison hotel. Have not bumped into them.
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Woke to a very cool day. Arthur’s seat totally covered in cloud, and the cool easterly wind blew al day. The sun broke through later in the day, but it remained cool all day.
Project lunch was with my colleagues at Zest, Indian restaurant next to the office.
Stayed in today at the hotel, eating a small supper of very rare Tuna, and a! plate o f chips
Edinburgh and the Mai Thai
3rd July 2006
Up early and back to Edinburgh. What a change, Edinburgh was freezing cold, cloudy and miserable. By all accounts the South is still as warm as before. Hotel had allocated me a room on the wrong side of the hotel, so unable to pick up the free broad band from the Mai Thai.
Ate at the Mai Thai, very nice green curry.
4th July 2006
Another cloudy day, with low cloud obscuring Arthur’s seat. This evening ate at Zest, where I had a very entertaining evening. The waiter became very animated about Portugal and football. The restaurant is Indian run and the waiter was from the Goa, which has very strong Portuguese connections. He also was a Roman Catholic. I wonder if he has met Richy.
5th July 2006
There was a loud clap of thunder part way through the day. The sun actually came out at one stage in the evening. Watched France win against Portugal at the ! Mai Thai. Very scrappy game as the French held on to their 1 – 0 lead, at one stage all the Portuguese were in the French side, including the goal keeper in a last ditch attempt to save the match. The Portuguese constantly diving and arguing for fouls spoilt the game. They should have been yellow carded. Oh and had some very nice Dim Sum rolls, followed by a curry at the Mai Thai.
6th July 2006
The day has started off sunny, and remained fairly hot through the day. Visited the Mai Thai, yet again, and had a red curry and Jasmine rice. It was very good, washed down with a few Krony. Spent a few moments talking to the owner. For me the Mai Thai is an excellent venue, free internet access, a posh restaurant (if needed), a bar where you can drink, eat and surf, TV to watch the games, and relatively cheap beer, though I need to get them to serve some real ale.
7th July 2006
Today was the final day at the bank for a week.
England Sweden match
Today there was a lovely blue sky. So I walked to work with no jacket. Stupid, this is Scotland, and the weather changes. Walked back with no jacket in the rain.
Watched England draw 2 all to Sweden at the Mai Thai. Wish all those Scots would shut up and support a British team. Last week they all had Trinidad and Tobago shirts, this week they were all walking around in Swedish shirts. I think I will join that boycott and not come here, well unless they keep me in a job.
Scotland and Holyrood Hotel
Very early up this morning, 4.30 to catch a plane to Edinburgh from Birmingham. Bit delayed leaving, and traffic control at Edinburgh cause a few circuits.
Booking agency rang to say my hotel was over booked, so was being moved to Holyrood hotel, which is a bit of a trek down the hill to the Scottish Parliament, so will not be doing Petit Paris this week.
Instead I ate in the Mai Thai, which has free Internet access, a bar, and several wide screen TVs.
Edinburgh
Back in Edinburgh for 3 days and 2 nights. The sun has at last decided to shine, and on Tuesday evening people were even dining out on the streets. In fact with the ban on smoking I think there were more people on the street then in the pubs.
Paid my usual visit to the Petit Paris where I indulged in a three course meal, but no wine. Free wine in my hotel room afterwards. Such a good customer at the hotel I get free drinks.
Tuesday I went to McKirdy’s Steakhouse on Morrison Street. Never been there before, was recommended in some magazine we get. Not cheap, but very good steaks. I had fillet steak with haggis and a whisky source. Ed ate a large fillet. Just managed to get our order in before two huge crowds of people.
Afterwards stopped off for a pint in a pub on the way back to the grassmarket area, in the area known as the pubic triangle because of the number of lap dancing clubs. Very good selection of beers, including some beers flavoured with fruit. Some very drunk mature Norwegian nurses from a conference attempted to pick both Ed and I up. Hastily retreated to Whistle Binkies to listen to a band.
Edinburgh
Back in Edinburgh for 3 days and 2 nights. The sun has at last decided to shine, and on Tuesday evening people were even dining out on the streets. In fact with the ban on smoking I think there were more people on the street then in the pubs.
Paid my usual visit to the Petit Paris where I indulged in a three course meal, but no wine. Free wine in my hotel room afterwards. Such a good customer at the hotel I get free drinks.
Tuesday I went to McKirdy’s Steakhouse on Morrison Street. Never been there before, was recommended in some magazine we get. Not cheap, but very good steaks. I had fillet steak with haggis and a whisky source. Ed ate a large fillet. Just managed to get our order in before two huge crowds of people.
Afterwards stopped off for a pint in a pub on the way back to the grassmarket area, in the area known as the pubic triangle because of the number of lap dancing clubs. Very good selection of beers, including some beers flavoured with fruit. Some very drunk mature Norwegian nurses from a conference attempted to pick both Ed and I up. Hastily retreated to Whistle Binkies to listen to a band.
Petit Paris
Another sunny, but cold day in Edinburgh. My room looks towards Arthur’s Chair, and I saw the sun rise around the side of Duddingston Loch. Times like this I wish I had my camera with me.
Petite Paris for the evening meal, not seen the waitress there for a while, must ask where she is. Could be working in their other restaurant which opened this year.
Had a full meal:
- Cream of Carrot Soup
- White Sausage on mash and tarragon gravy
- Creme Brulee
- Pichet of Vin rouge