16 FOOD AND DRINK
Café review: Kilimanjaro By Charlie Ellis CROSSWORD Compiled by David Albury
ACROSS
7 Relating to the eyes (6)
8 Horizontal clue on crossword (6)10 A thousand thousand (7)11 Nimble and supple (5)
12 Without feeling (4)13 Educate (5)17 Anger (5)
18 Imperial measurement of 1,
yards (4)22 Coral island surrounding
a lagoon (5)23 Marsupial animal (7)
24 Poorly defined photograph (6)25 Protein found in cereals (6)DOWN
1 Inactive, sleeping (7)
2 Morally worthy or beautiful (7)
3 Area of fertile land in a desert (5)
4 Scrape with a nail (7)
5 Sign on to computer (3,2)
6 Pale and wan (5)
9 A communicable disease (9)
14 Make something last longer (7)
15 Very hairy (7)
16 A portion of something (7)
19 Dance of Latin American
origin (5)
20 Faithful (5)
21 Heats to very high temperature,
causing evaporation (5)
KILIMANJARO has been a popular
coffee spot for about 18 years. Based in
the Southside it is regularly teeming
with students. It’s definitely one of
Edinburgh’s liveliest cafes, with seats at
a premium. Kilimanjaro started in
2004 as part of a network of specialty
coffee houses set up by coffee pioneer,
Jon Sharp. His coffee shops were part
of the original speciality wave in the
city. Press Coffee and Thomas J. Walls
are two of the others, also quite near to
the University.
One frustration that people often
have with coffee shops in Edinburgh is
how early they close. Especially now
that cafés have become such a
common place to work and study (and
even conduct Zoom meetings). This
frustration is particularly common
among those from many continental
European countries, where cafés
remain open well into the evening.
There was some evidence of a trend
towards more ‘continental’ opening
hours. However, the double shocks of
Covid and Brexit have created a
significant shortage of baristas in the
city. Many café owners have thereforehad to reduce opening hours.
Kilimanjaro is one of the few
independent cafés in Edinburgh to
open into the evening, generally
closing at 8 p.m.
Largely using somewhat battered
reclaimed furniture, Kilimanjaro has a
casual feel. Physically, the café consists
of a wide, open area to the front, with
large tables ideal for groups. Towards
the rear there is neat diner style
seating, suited for pairs and couples (it
seems a popular spot for first dates).
These seats also make ideal spots for a
bit of secluded study and reading. For
those who work best in a general
‘hubbub’, Kilimanjaro is an ideal place- less so for those who require
tranquillity in order to focus. In better
weather, there are a few tables outside
where you can sip your coffee al fresco
in one of the liveliest areas of the city.
Opening at 7.30am during the week,
they are busy from 8 in the morning
most days right through until the
evening. But it’s not just the long
opening hours and the proximity to
the university which attract people to
it. Kilimanjaro also serves excellent
coffee, usually using beans by specialty
coffee pioneers Square Mile Roasters,
based in East London. They usually
use Square Mile ‘Red Brick’ espresso,
which has deep, lingering fruity notes
and a sweet finish. It combines well
with milk, making their cortados and
flat whites particularly tasty. In my
experience, Kilimanjaro does an
excellent job of maintaining quality,
even at very busy times. This is not
something which all cafés are good at,
even some highly rated independent
ones. Making good coffee is not
something which can be rushed. It
requires focus and precision, not a
slapdash approach.
As well as coffee, Kilimanjaro serves
a range of baking. With its early
opening time, it’s also a popular place
for cooked breakfasts with plenty
vegetarian, vegan and gluten free
options. Later in the day they serve
soups, sandwiches, and panini. 18
years on from its founding,
Kilimanjaro remains a deservedly
popular coffee location.
Kilimanjaro Coffee
104 Nicolson Street EH8 9EJLively hangout on the Southside with a casual feel
Anyone for a Negroni?
A NEW CICCHETTI and cocktail
bar will bring Tuscan flavours to
Edinburgh’s New Town.
Ciao will be a stand-alone
cicchetti & cocktail bar at Rico’s
Ristorante on North Castle Street.
The new bar will celebrate Italy’s
well-known cocktail - The Negroni- as well as the country’s more
informal dining style with
Cicchetti served all day with an
affordable lunch menu.
A classic Negroni may be more
familiar (equal parts gin, Campari,
and sweet vermouth, with an
orange slice or twist for garnish),
but other effervescent versions
will be a party starter before a
sophisticated dinner or the perfect
foil for generous Italian bar snacks.
Ciao will provide guests with an
assortment of Italian aperitivo
style and crafted cocktails,
including a full negroni list with a
variety to choose from.
Set to open in November, Ciao
promises to breathe life into the
capital’s food and cocktail scene.Ciao at Rico’s | 58A North Castle
Street, EH2 3LU
http://www.ricosristorante.co.ukANSWERS7 Ocular, 8 Across, 10 Million, 11 Agile, 12 Numb, 13 Teach, 17 Wrath, Across:18 Mile, 22 Atoll, 23 Opossum, 24 Grainy, 25 Gluten.1 Dormant, 2 Sublime, 3 Oasis, 4 Scratch, 5 Log in, 6 Ashen, 9 Infection, Down:14 Prolong, 15 Hirsute, 16 Segment, 19 Tango, 20 Loyal, 21 Boils.Latte in the day