16 FOOD AND DRINK
CROSSWORD
OF ALL THE AREAS in Edinburgh,
Fountainbridge is probably the one
which has changed the most in recent
years. Following the closure of the
breweries, it has rapidly transformed
into a residential area, packed with
new flats. As in other areas of the city
(such as that around Salamander
Street), a whole new area of the city
has emerged with new streets and
squares engraved onto the city map.
One potentially interesting coffee
destination is the mysterious Main St
Beanery at the junction of
Fountainbridge and Gilmore Place.
This place has been closed for a long
time but still seems to be being looked
after and kept ready. But, ready for
what? This long period of mothballing
has prompted all sorts of colourful
theories online. Shortly before the
festive period, a Christmas tree
appeared in the window, which again
suggested that it might reopen. But as
yet, there is no sign of espresso
pouring through the portafilters at this
Mary Celeste of a place.
Fortunately, just a few yards away is
undoubtedly the top coffee spot in the
area. Though small, The Coffee Cave is
very much open and has quickly built
up a strong reputation since starting
business in May 2021. The place is
easy to miss, wedged between Hank’s
Sandwich Bar and Grow Urban. Don’t
miss out. On my visits there, I’ve been
served really well made coffees which
have been rich and flavoursome. As
they should, their cortados really pack
a punch with a satisfyingly thick crema
colliding with the textured milk. Just
the type of coffee that people need in
the early morning - many commuters
will pass by The Coffee Cave on their
way to Haymarket Station. It’s also
ideal for those wanting to follow the
canal-side walkway which offers one
of the most interesting ‘active travel’
routes in the city. Once a backwater, it’s
increasingly busy. Take care as you
pass under the bridges - you wouldn’t
want to see your skilfully brewed
coffee knocked from your hand into
the water.
The coffee served by The Coffee
Cave is roasted by Linlithgow-based
Black Dog Coffee. Their coffees
include the Kambo which has notes of‘dark chocolate, caramel, honey and
slightly floral scents’. Black Dog and
The Coffee Cave have been working
together to bring the customers ‘a
variety of seasonal coffees, so the
selection we have available is grown
and harvested at specific times
according to its location, to ensure we
deliver the best possible taste to you.’
These words are certainly borne out by
the positive feedback they’ve
consistently received.
The Coffee Cave is takeaway only,
selling a selection of sweet treats (such
as a raspberry and coconut macaroon)
alongside the coffee, as well as offering
Black Dog beans for home brewing.
They also serve savoury snacks, with
their black pudding sausage roll a
seeming favourite. Noted by myself
and several other customers is the
service offered by the baristas; warm
and welcoming. As Fountainbridge
becomes an increasingly popular area,
there’s little doubt that the coffee scene
will expand. The Coffee Cave has set a
high standard for others to follow.
The Coffee Cave
158 Fountainbridge EH3 9RXSmall space is already building up a big coffee reputation
CAFÉ SCENE: The Coffee Cave By Charlie Ellis
A little bit of RIO in your life
EDINBURGH food lovers can
now mark their calendars as RIO
Brazilian Steakhouse announces
its arrival to the capital city this
month. The popular Brazilian
Steakhouse offering an
authentic Brazilian Churrasco
dining experience will open its
doors on George Street, within
the historic Assembly Rooms
building in a 150-cover space
formerly home to Jamie’s Italian.RIO will welcome guests to
enjoy “exquisite cuts of meat
carved tableside in a traditional
Rodizio style”, while watching
skilled chefs prepare authentic
dishes from a central sushi bar.
As is traditional there is an
unlimited gourmet salad bar
lining the walls with an array of
imported cheeses, meats and
Brazilian flavours for diners to
choose from.ACROSS
1 Cyber fraud — mashing
chips (anag) (8,4)
9 Name of eight Roman
Catholic Popes (5)
10 Shows off (7)
11 Snare (4)
12 Preferred (8)
14 London’s oldest professional
football club, established
1879 (6)
15 Carefree (6)
18 Wake-up bugle call (8)
20 Need (4)
22 Grown without synthetic
additives (7)
23 Kind of birch tree,
producing rotresistant
wood (5)
24 One of those annoyingly
slow motorists? (6,6)DOWN
2 Tack in sole of boot (7)
3 Drop to the sea bed (4)
4 Not meant seriously (2,4)5 Rainwater spout ending in a
grotesque figure (8)
6 Alcoholic drink made with
apples (5)
7 Bad luck — mute invaders
(anag) (12)
8 Diverse (12)
13 Landed estate in Spain and
Latin America (8)
16 Gibberish (7)
17 Even-tempered (6)
19 One who does not eat or
use animal products (5)
21 They came bearing gifts of
gold and frankincense and
myrrh (4)SOLUTIONS
A new type of
brew on tap