Scotts Kitchen — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

🚨East Asians and Overweight White Individuals May Not Be Seated at Window Tables🚨

I visited the restaurant around 10 a.m. There was only one other party present, so the place was quite empty. The receptionist guided us to a table at the back of the restaurant.

At the time, I thought nothing of it. However, I was taken aback when I saw white customers who arrived after us being seated at the window tables. I recalled an article mentioning that Asians are often not seated by the windows in European cafes and restaurants. This made me wonder if we were discriminated against because we are Asian. Recognizing that this could be my own paranoia, I calmly observed the restaurant’s seating patterns.

The common characteristic among those seated at the window tables was that they were all white. I began to suspect that perhaps Asians are not allowed to sit by the windows.

Then, I noticed that some white customers were also being seated at the back. They were overweight.

It dawned on me that the restaurant wasn’t discriminating solely based on race but was instead not seating customers who didn’t align with the restaurant’s desired image at the window tables.

Upon closer observation, I identified the features of those seated by the windows: they were clean, dressed in calm-colored and appropriately sized clothing, not overweight, and white.

Even white individuals who were overweight or dressed in eccentric fashion were guided to the back. While our attire and physique were no different from those seated at the windows, we were not white.

I felt ashamed for entering this restaurant. Despite being uninvited or undesired patrons, we had imposed upon the staff to serve us. I recalled the slight hesitation on the receptionist face when we first arrived.

In my country, there are restaurants that select their clientele, but it’s made clear through their appearance and atmosphere. I failed to realize that such practices could exist in a place with such a casual ambiance.

Unfamiliar with the UK’s social structure and culture, I admit I don’t know how to choose dining venues here. I plan to stay in Edinburgh for a while, but I will not visit this restaurant again. This decision isn’t due to any issue with the quality of the restaurant but because we are unwanted or unexpected.

By the way, the food was delicious, and the staff’s demeanor was excellent. They treated us equally without any discrimination. I am sincerely grateful for their service.

However, that isn’t the main issue. If you decide to visit this restaurant, please consider whether you are the type of customer they...

I had brunch here with a friend on 2 Oct. The food was good, but the service was very disappointing.

A lady with short blonde hair (dressed in black) took our order. We ordered the Scott’s Breakfast and a carrot cake. After waiting a long time, the cake still hadn’t arrived, so we asked her about it. Instead of simply checking or confirming, her first reaction was to question who had taken our order. I said “the lady with red hair” because I didn’t recall at that moment, but later realized it was actually herself who had taken the order and forgotten. Her tone felt more like doubting us than helping.

Later, after she served the Scott’s Breakfast, I couldn’t see the cutlery and asked my friend where it was. She wasn’t far away and immediately turned around and asked “is there any problem?”, in a way that felt defensive rather than helpful. After she pointed out the cutlery and we said thanks, we were just about to start eating (we hadn’t yet realized we needed an extra set). At that moment she said, “oh you’re sharing, sorry I didn’t know, I’ll bring one.” Again, her tone felt preemptive/defensive instead of friendly, as if she expected us to accuse her of something.

Every other staff member who served us has left a good impression. But this particular lady made us feel uncomfortable...

We visited Scotts Kitchen as a group on a busy day and were pleasantly surprised to be seated almost immediately despite the rush. The atmosphere and interior were fairly standard – nothing particularly memorable, but comfortable enough for a casual meal.

The menu was nicely concise, making it easy to choose, though as tourists, we would have struggled to understand some of the dishes without the helpful explanations from our server. Their knowledge of the food was impressive, although surprisingly, they were unable to recommend a wine pairing for our mains.

To start, we shared bread and chorizo. Unfortunately, the bread was a major letdown – overly dry and not enjoyable.

The main courses, while small in portion size, were flavorful and well-prepared. A particular note: the mashed potatoes felt more like a garnish than a real side, which was disappointing given the otherwise good quality of the dishes.

The overall pace and feel of the evening reflected the busy service – efficient, but we couldn’t shake the sense that we were being rushed out a bit.

Despite these issues, Scotts Kitchen shows promise, and we’d be open to giving it another try on a quieter day if we return to Edinburgh. There’s potential here – just not fully realized...