Strolling along Rose Street in the Spring sunshine we spotted the Souvalki Greek Kitchen. The white and blue exterior looked inviting, so we ventured in.
As we had just been on a walking tour in the Royal Mile we were peckish, but only wanted a main.
It was early in the week and before 5.30pm so there were plenty of tables. The interior was bright and we picked a table in the inner part of the spacious restaurant, up a flight of stairs.
To save time, as we had another engagement, I plumped for a chef’s special. A safe choice normally. I did fancy traditional moussaka with sliced potatoes, aubergine, minced beef, tomato sauce topped with bechamel sauce. The description looked good and what could go wrong with a moussaka cooked in a Greek restaurant? Sadly, No moussaka was available on the night, in a Greek restaurant!
So, the chef’s special it was and my pick was makaronia thalassinon, linguini pasta with squid, prawns, octopus, mussels, tomato sauce and white wine.
I finished the food, but it was a struggle.
My partner had another traditional Green dish, souvlaki. She was not impressed. We did not linger. Disappointing in the extreme, and I grudged the overall cost, £46.90.
We the first order in so there was no competition for service so no excuse there, and I was also shocked at the short time between order and delivery. There may, of course, have been a reason for that.
However, I informed the waiter of our feelings. He just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.
Later, I checked the restaurant website. It claims it brings the heart of Greece to Edinburgh.
What’s more, the owners also claim: “We set out to create a place where simple, fresh ingredients come together in perfect harmony.”
Really, well, there was not “perfect harmony” here. We came hungry and left unhappy.
Souvlaki Greek Kitchen (pictured), 43 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2NH.
