bijou bistro

just around the corner from where i live is thislovelylittle bistro. i love to go there for a good old sunday breakfast which is always delicious and full of flavour. the restaurant has such a cosy and relaxing feel to it that it is great for any occasion weather it be a catch up with some friends over a coffee or a romantic meal with the other half. they have seasonal menus too so there is always something different to choose from and you can tell that the chef obviously takes pride in his dishes as each one is plated to perfection and doesn't look like it has just been shoved on the plate like some places. if your ever in the leith links area give this place a try - you won't be disappointed.

had alovelymeal here. moules marniere starter with fresh home made bread, belly of pork then chocolate fondant with ice cream, all utterly delicious. great service and value too.

bijou - a neighbourhood bistro. this cute little eatery looks just the ticket on a night that would suit the opening scene of macbeth. as the wind propels me through the door i am more than ready for the very decent glass of malbec that i immediately order.

an equally windswept bb arrives and we order our meal; everything listed comes in bijou medium or large portions which gives you control over how much you both eat and spend.

bb started with 'bijou' home-made fishcakes (£4.75) with roasted garlic and chive mayo and salad and i opted for bijou wild mushroom, shallot and gnocchi fricassee with parmesan crunch (£4.95). i can't see past mushroom gnocchi. the slippery little fungi complement the more resistant pasta pellets every time as long as it is cooked as perfectly as bijou's. peppery seasoning, spinach and the really cheesy parmesan crisp complete this not entirely bijou plate of food. bb was similarly pleased with her fish-laden cakes. thumbs up!

for next course i had a medium portion of vegetable and gorgonzola tagliatelli with herb crumbs (£9.95); and a second glass of that malbec please! the tagliatelli is just ok. the broccoli is cooked perfectly al dente but more cheese is needed with the pasta and there are way too many peas. bb has chosen pot- roasted pork stovies from the specials board (£9.95, medium). she thinks the dish lacks seasoning and depth of flavour; i agree but still consider it a good plate of food.

desserts are a definite return to form. bb has a selection of homemade ice-creams in a brandy snap basket (£4.50). she chooses vanilla, chocolate and peanut butter scoops and raves about the latter. the creams have finesse; the flavours have been kept nicely balanced so as not to overpower and the texture is silken. the basket has a nice 'snap' and is lacy, buttery and flavoursome. i have a scoop of lemon curd ice cream along with a huge slab of chocolate cheesecake (£4.50); chocolate base andlovelydense gooey cheesy texture.

we have outdone ourselves and agree it is well worth seeking out this homely little bistro. the chef actually reached the second round of the masterchef a few years back and it shows.