First Coast Restaurant — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

We had our 2019 Christmas dinner here. The place is really easy to find, but it was a pain to park in the neighbourhood - although there were many side-roads, they were mostly marked up for permit holders only. The restaurant was tastefully decorated - the rusty stone walls were highlighted with stunning paintings of imaginative colours reflecting various landscapes; the beautiful lighting made the restaurant feel very cosy. I had the Thai panang beef, cashew salad noodles as my starter. The presentation wasn't spectacular, especially the beef, but seasoning was perfect - lemon juice, fish sauce and cashew cried out the Thai nature of this dish; the chilli spice gave it a nice kick, but not overpowering. It was a very good appetiser. My main was the Brazilian seafood stew with coconut and lime (as shown in the photo). Again, plating wasn't amazing, but the taste was! Seafood was cooked perfectly - the prawns were very tender and plump, and absorbed all the coconut and lime essence, bringing that tropical breeze; the mixed vegetables were so fresh and added layers of flavours to the seafood. I chose the frozen chocolate and orange parfait for my dessert. The parfait married the chocolate and orange flavours in a very interesting super-soft gummy-like texture, so it tasted refreshing, luxurious but not too sweet or heavy. With the orange jelly on the side, I just couldn't stop digging into it. My colleague's clotted cream and lemon curd mousse with cardamom shortbread also looked very delicious. I didn't often enjoy all three courses when dining out, but I just had such a great experience at First Coast Restaurant. I would have given it 5 stars if parking was easier on...

First visit. This was with a group of 7 on a Saturday during an early December. It was fairly busy and space was at a premium.

We got a nice table close to the kitchen but located in the 'runway' for waiters and washroom users. This saw on occasion a chef with fresh carcasses passing right behind the seats in the aisle, or a waitress with a full plate of clearings/dishes. This required constant awareness of myself as a guest knowing who is behind me, carrying what, so I don't make any sudden movements with my arms or chair. This impacted my fun time being with friends ever so slightly.

The food was very tasty, but the preparation and delivery was some of a let down.

I had a starter of minced beef and onions, well prepared, a bit small.

I ordered steak, medium rare. It was cooked medium. The charcoal taste was nice. I wanted roasted potatoes instead of fat chips. (the roast potatoes were on the menu for a pork belly dish, so they did have them) This was rejected as the steak dish comes out with either new baby potatoes or fat chips according to the waiter. No gravy or sauce available. But we were provided with ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard. As the steak was a bit dry, I'd have preferred it if there was a gravy/sauce available, but hey-ho.

For afters, I selected a cheese course. The blue cheese was lighter than it looked to my annoyance, but still with the right amount piled on the oatcake, very pleasant.

In all I was pleased with the flavours, and I can see that if it was a little less busier, they'd would be able to address some the issue I mentioned above.

Currently, I cannot recommend going here, but no...

We have dined at First Coast for many years which has always been excellent. After our visit on Saturday we will never be back. We received a First Coast voucher as a gift. It was sitting on the table and while we were eating a waitress came up to and said "I'm sorry but you can't use that voucher anymore as we are new management" she walked away! When the bill came we questioned why the voucher couldn't be used as it was still First Coast. Surely if new owners have taken over a business they must honour the voucher that was bought in July. She was adamant that it wouldn't be the new owners. She gave no explanation who would be liable for the money spent on the voucher. She basically shrugged her shoulders. Not our problem.This went on for some time with everyone in the restaurant hearing. Which no doubt ruined their evening as well. In the end we got the bill deducted the voucher amount and told her that's what is getting paid! She stormed away and came back "as a gesture of good will we will honour it on this occasion." I gave £100 voucher as a gift to one of our friends which hasn't been used yet. I would like management to response on how to get my money back. Also a response in the way this was dealt with in front of all your customers. What was meant to be a pleasant evening was a unpleasant...