Cobbles and Sandstone
In June I was lucky enough to go to Edinburgh for the International Anthrozoology Conference. I was staying near the University away from the old town so I fond myself doing a lot of walking. Walking requires energy, and energy is replenished with food.
Apart from the few days I spent at the conference, I tried to explore the city as much as could because I’d never been to Edinburgh before. Absolutely stunning.
In a week I walked nearly 40kilometres.
On one wander I happened upon a small, discreet cafe on The Royal Mile. It was surrounded by shops selling Tweed and tourist tat. The rickety wooden seats and tables out front is the only obvious clue there was anything behind the ancient facade.
I looked at the menu and there it was. Eggs Benedict with bacon. The smoked salmon option was offered as Eggs Royale, and the vegetarian option was Avocado EB. I opted for Royale given my location.
Toasted breakfast muffins topped with Smoked Salmon, poached eggs & hollandaise sauce.
Can I forgive the ampersand? I’m not entirely sure I can, given there was absolutely no space restriction on the menu, and it wasn’t block printed.
I also ordered a flat white coffee. I learnt on my last trip to the UK that ordering a Latte results in a ridiculously weak, overly milky imitation coffee. Flat white it was for the desired result.
It was hot, creamy enough to be called a Latte in Australia, and tasty. Hinting nuts and a good roast. I was amused by the chipped saucer and teaspoon that Uri Geller had clearly spent too much time with. The coffe was good. Being in the UK in Summertime, it didn’t matter that it was afternoon, the sun was up until nearly 11pm, so it would be well through my system before bedtime.
My Benny arrived. Classically British. No frills, No fancy, and No Fuss.
A slice of barely grilled tomato the only garnish, not even a token spring of parsley.
…and packet sauce which appeared to be somewhat curdled. Which meant it had been heated slightly.
I was hungry and this was the first EB I’d had in a while. It went down better than expected. Despite its bland appearance and sparseness on the plate, it was tasty. Perhaps the warmth of the day, the feeling of being on holiday, I wasn’t but wherever I go somewhere for work I take the opportunity to kid myself, the hustle and bustle of the busy street filled with tourist and locals, or maybe, it really was that so simple it worked.
Also, the eggs were cooked to absolute perfection.
After eating I sat and watched the world go by me. The I wrote some poetry, note on the EB, and enjoyed the shade. It’s nt until I’m back there that I forget how beautiful Britain is on a warm sunny day. Yeah, it’s lack of air-con on a 28 degree day suck balls, but the history and architecture makes it worth it.
I followed
a bumble bee
through a gate -
lush silence
in the city centre
Would I go back: it’s unlikely I’ll get there again, but if I found myself on the Royal Mile again, I would.
Location: Luscious Cafe
Address: The Royal Mile. 261 Canongate Edinburgh Scotland EH8 8BQ
Website: Facebook
EB Price: 11.50 (GBP)
