Fig & Thistle — Restaurant in Scotland

Nestled in a quiet corner of the neighborhood, this cozy restaurant is a true hidden gem that combines delicious food with extraordinary service. From the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for a special evening. Parking in the area can be a bit tricky, but our experience started on a high note when Philip, one of the staff members, went above and beyond by stepping out of the restaurant to personally guide us to a nearby parking lot. This level of attentiveness set the tone for the evening.

The ambiance inside was warm and inviting, with a charming, intimate feel that made us feel right at home. The menu offered a variety of tempting options, but we decided to start with the Grilled Goat’s Cheese, Fig & Onion Tartlet, paired with a spiced pear and balsamic dressed salad. The tartlet was a delightful blend of rich, creamy goat's cheese perfectly balanced with the sweetness of figs and the tang of balsamic. The spiced pear added a refreshing touch, making this appetizer an absolute standout.

For our main course, we opted for the locally sourced Pepper-Crusted Isle of Lewis Salmon Fillet, served with a fragrant Malaysian coconut curry, green beans, and basmati rice. The salmon was cooked to perfection, with a crispy pepper crust that complemented the tender, flavorful fish. The coconut curry was rich and aromatic, with just the right amount of spice, making each bite a burst of flavor. The green beans added a fresh crunch, and the basmati rice was the perfect accompaniment to soak up the delicious curry.

Throughout the meal, the service remained impeccable. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, ensuring our glasses were never empty and that we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. The genuine warmth and hospitality from Philip and the team made the evening even more memorable.

Overall, this neighborhood restaurant offers a dining experience that is truly a cut above the rest. From the exceptional service to the thoughtfully prepared dishes, every detail is carefully considered, making it a place we will definitely return to. If you’re looking for a cozy spot with outstanding food and service that goes the extra mile, this is the...

My daughter is coeliac and I’m GF so I did a bit of research before booking this restaurant. I called to check the burgers were definately GF and was assured they were. I also noted dietary requirements on the booking. We placed our order for 2 burgers only to be told that there were no GF buns. We decided to go ahead with the order as we had a theatre booking later that evening and it would have been awkward to find another restaurant. The waitress advised she would arrange for some “extra chips” with the burger. When the food arrived it was almost comical the tiny burger had been hidden between 2 bits of little gem lettuce it looked like it was hiding its embarrassment! The burger was dry and tasteless the chips were at least hot but if that was extra I’d hate to see a normal portion. When asked if everything was ok with our me I said no. No effort had been made to try and elevate the bun less burger. Maybe a bit tomato, onion, cucumber would have been a start. £17.00 for a dry burger a small bowl of chips and a handful of leaves was awful. We spoke to the manager who was unaware they had ran out of GF bread he offered a discounted price and a dessert. We felt he was lacking basic knowledge of what coeliac disease actually us as he offered vegan icecream having just ordered a burger we are not vegan ! I feel the chef and management need to review their food intolerance options. I fear the chips were also fried in the normal frier where gluten products are cooked as later that night my daughter had some mild side effects from having eaten gluten. A bit more education in the kitchen I think. In the end we were given 10% of the bill and our drinks free but it still felt very steep at £30.00 for an awful meal. Waiting staff were very nice and we felt sorry for them having to bring out such a pathetic...

*2024 update: Food was average this time, and I was disappointed, especially given the above-average prices. Crispy chili chicken salad was nicely seasoned and good, but the salad was prepped so that pieces of veg were considerably longer than mouth (a no-no in fine dining) and served on a slate - I don't know anyone that enjoys the sound or sensation of cutlery on slate... Spoiled the experience. The beef burger with cheese and bacon was small, served in a flimsy brioche bun (what's the obsession with serving burgers on brioche??) and the portion was small, especially stingy on chips (which were good). The burger was on a par with a decent pub meal, no better (slightly dry and overcooked, small-ish). The Biscoff and chocolate cheesecake had no chocolate on or in it, unless a tiny undetectable amount in the base. No chocolate flavour at all. Definitely gone downhill since I last visited a few years ago. Also 5 different people served us, even tho the restaurant wasn't busy - the benches in the window seat have the back at 90° to the seat which is very uncomfortable, and the table was cramped for 4 diners. The overall experience could be improved easily. Food, service and dining environment all have plenty room for improvement.

2018 = 5* (has gone downhill massively) oA restaurant with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and excellent food. The standard menu and the specials all sounded excellent and everyone I was with thoroughly enjoyed their food. A good range of options using local produce creatively. The service was excellent: prompt and friendly. Even the coffee was exceptionally good. I'd have no hesitation in recommending this...