Clerk's Bar

The idea of one day living in Edinburgh has always been the dream for me. Some people want to climb Everest, others want a different pair of shoes for every day of the week - I just wanted Edinburgh. I never had a rational explanation for it, the closest I could get is that my Dad's never ending, as yet unexplained fascination with the city rubbed off on me.

When moving suddenly and quite unexpectedly became a reality, I was both completely overexcited and completely terrified. Terror that it wouldn't live up to my expectations, excitement that, well, it would! One of the things that most excited me was the prospect of some really good food (shocker). Not to put down the Frozen North, but after four years in a pretty small city, I was well versed in all of the affordable yet delicious options out there.

So far, I've struck lucky with eating out, very lucky. One of the first places I stumbled into was Clerk's Bar. It specialises in slow cooked meat and craft beers, and I've been back three times. In three weeks. The food is that good (their Monday night quiz is a good one too!)

On my first trip I basically fell through the door after climbing Arthur's Seat on just a bowl of weetabix. Spoilt for choice by the menu, I was pleased that there was a good variety of food ordered by the table, and I got to have a little nose at each thing.

First up, a burger, which comes with onion rings and salad anyway, but a hungry climber also topped it with cheese, bacon and pulled pork. Personally I think I would have died from the sheer volume of meat if I'd have eaten it, but it got a big thumbs up from the person who had to actually eat it, and that's all that matters!

I opted for a small portion of ribs and some sweet potato fries, and I'm not sure which bit was better. There was heaps of meat on the ribs and it fell off the bone as soon as you started to pick them up. The sauce was tangy and, happily, not overwhelming. The fries were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and there's a high chance that I could happily live off them for the foreseeable future if I had to.

Although the both the pulled pork (below) and chicken burritos hit the spot after our energetic afternoon, it has since been concluded (after rigorous taste testing) that actually, the beef is the one to go for.

With it's cool decor, mouthwatering food and a beer collection that gets the boys very excited, I'm not surprised Clerk's is packed out every time I go in. It's got a fantastic atmosphere. But, really, top marks go to the staff, who are possibly some of the nicest I've ever encountered.

You can find all of this goodness at: 

74-78 South Clerk Street

Edinburgh