Taisteal is a family run neighbourhood restaurant at 1 Forth Street in central Edinburgh. Its name means travel or journey, capturing chef owner Gordon Craig and Lucy’s idea of combining Scottish produce with flavours and techniques encountered around the world.
The cooking takes elements of fine dining into a relaxed room, with à la carte, early dinner and tasting menus. Scottish salmon might meet yuzu and nori, while chicken wrapped in kataifi pastry or hand-dived Orkney scallop with South Indian curry illustrates the kitchen’s international reach.
Vegetable dishes receive the same attention, including ricotta and spinach lasagne or goat’s cheese waffle with onion marmalade and truffled honey. Desserts such as passionfruit and chocolate baked Alaska, banana tarte tatin and coconut parfait continue the playful combinations.
Wine, sake and Japanese inspired cocktails accompany the food, with matching drinks available alongside the longer tasting menus. Vegetarian, pescatarian and adapted tasting menus can be arranged, but allergies and intolerances require advance notice so the kitchen can plan safely.
Address: 1 Forth Street, Edinburgh EH1 3JX, Scotland
Taisteal Menu
Mid-Week Early Dinner (Sample)
2 courses for £20, 3 courses for £25. Available Tues-Thurs 5-7pm.
Cured Scottish Salmon, Wonton Tart, Avocado, Edamame, Yuzu & Nori
Carbonara Arancino, Sun-dried Tomato Mayo
Goats Cheese Waffle, Red Onion Marmalade, Walnuts & Truffled Honey
Chicken Wrapped in Kataifi Pastry, Creamed Sweetcorn, Cajun Hasselbacks, Chorizo Mayo, Chorizo Jus
Sole, Courgette, Nori Dauphinoise, Scallop Sauce, Lobster Oil
Rolled Ricotta & Spinach Lasagne, Pickled Cherry Tomatoes, Marinara Sauce
Passionfruit & Chocolate Baked Alaska
Banana Tarte Tatin with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream
Buttermilk Panna Cotta, Macerated Strawberries & Granola
A La Carte Menu (Sample)
2 courses for £33, 3 courses for £38.
Chicken Liver Parfait, Toasted Brioche, Shallot & Raisin Chutney
Teriyaki Salmon, Yuzu Cucumber, Oyster Mayo
Carbonara Arancino, Sun – Dried Tomato Mayo
Prawn Toast Croissant, Coriander Emulsion, Sriracha Mayo
Goats Cheese Waffle, Red Onion Marmalade, Walnuts & Truffled Honey
Smoked & Cured Duck, Hazelnut Satay, Edamame Beans, Sweet Potato Fondant, Shitake Samosa
Seabass, Peas à la Française, Potato Croquette
Chicken Wrapped in Kataifi Pastry, Creamed Sweetcorn, Cajun Hasselbacks, Chorizo Mayo, Chorizo Jus
Pan-fried Sole, Courgette, Nori Dauphinoise ,Scallop Sauce, Lobster Oil
Rolled Ricotta & Spinach Lasagne, Pickled Cherry Tomatoes, Marinara Sauce
Buttermilk Panna Cotta, Macerated Strawberries, Granola
Passionfruit & Chocolate Baked Alaska
Banana Tarte Tatin, Dulce de Leche Ice Cream
Coconut Parfait, Coconut Preserve Lemon Cake, Raspberry & Pina Colada Sorbet
Selection of Ice Cream with Honeycomb
Selection of Cheese from I.J. Mellis
Tasting Menu (Sample)
£50PP for 5 courses, £60PP for 7 courses. Additional courses for the 7 course menu are marked with a *. Matching drinks available for £30 (5 course) or £40 (7 course). Please let us know when booking if you would like to have the 7 course tasting menu. Vegetarian, pescatarian or any allergy/intolerances tasting menu is also available on request. We require 24 hours notice of any allergies to ensure we can adapt menus as required.
Chicken Liver Parfait, Toasted Brioche, Shallot & Raisin Chutney
Prawn Toast Croissant, Coriander Emulsion, Sriracha Mayo
Carbonara Arancino, Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo
Hand Dived Orkney Scallop, Southern Indian Curry, Apricots
Additional course for the 7 course menu.
Smoked & Cured Duck, Hazelnut Satay, Edamame Beans, Sweet Potato Fondant, Shitake Samosa
Whipped Mascarpone, Blueberry Compote, Granola
Additional course for the 7 course menu.
Coconut Parfait, Coconut Preserve Lemon Cake, Raspberry & Pina Colada Sorbet
White Wines
Prices are for 175ml/250ml/Bottle unless otherwise noted.
Domaine Montmarin, Sauvignon & Viognier
(France) A harmonious blend of refreshingly crisp Sauvignon with ripe peach characters of Viognier
Gerard Bertrand Heritage Picpoul de Pinet
(France) Deliciously fresh on the palate with beautiful notes of lemon and invigorating finish
Aristocratico Pinot Grigio
(Italy) Combination of long ripening season & low yields ensures this wine has a superbly concentrated, weighty style. Lemon zest, crisp fruit
Petal & Stem Sauvignon Blanc
(New Zealand) Refreshingly zesty and nicely balanced finish. Guava, passionfruit & underlying notes of grapefruit, blackcurrant leaf
Red Wines
Prices are for 175ml/250ml/Bottle unless otherwise noted.
Domaine Montmarin Cabernet / Merlot
(France) Merlot and powerful tannat combine for a spicy elegant wine
Bouchard Aine & Fils Pinot Noir
(France) Nose shows red fruit with a hint of chocolate and toasted notes acquired from brief period of oak ageing
Finca La Estacada Tempranillo
(Spain) Full bodied and aromatic with flavours of ripe blackberries and plums and subtle notes of oak and spice. Medium-long finish.
Corte Camari Nero d'Avola Appassimento
(Italy) Intense aroma of blackberries and blueberries with spicy flavours of black pepper, dark chocolate, wild berries & vanilla
Sparkling Wines
Prices are for 125ml/Bottle unless otherwise noted.
Taittinger Champagne Brut Réserve
(France) Lean, light and delicate with notes of peach and brioche, considerable depth and elegance with a long fresh finish
Bouchée Cuvee Reservee Brut
(France) Elegant and balanced with notes of apple, citrus and toasted brioche
Da Luca Prosecco
(Italy) Balanced and full bodied with apple, lemon and grapefruit notes with hints of acacia flowers
Dessert Wines
Prices are for 50ml unless otherwise noted.
Quinta De La Rosa White Extra Dry Port
LBV Port
Fine Tawny Port
Umenoya Yuzu Sake
Cocktails
Aperol Spritz
Prosecco, Aperol with dash of Soda
Icelandic Elderflower Fizz
Reykjavik Vodka with a dash of Elderflower topped up with prosecco
Classic Champagne Cocktail
Brandy, bitters, sugar topped up with Champagne
Espresso Martini
Kahlua, Mozart Chocolate Bitters, Espresso Coffee, Vanilla Vodka
Beers & Cider
Brewdog Punk IPA
(Scotland) Alc 5.4
Harvieston Bitter & Twisted
(Scotland) Alc 4.2%
Harviestoun Schiehallion
(Scotland) Alc 4.8%
Bellfield Lawless Gluten Free IPA
(Scotland) Alc 4.5%
Fine Wine Selection
Puligny Montrachet, Louis Jadot
(Cotes De Beaune) Well defined & rich with crisp acidity. Floral &open nose with notes of white flowers, acacia & orange
Chablis Premier 1st Cru, Mont De Millleu
(Chablis) Nose is very fresh, lively & mineral with fruit, green apples. lemon, underbrush & field mushrooms
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc
(Stellenbosch) Aromas of lime, white melon & apple fruit on the nose complemented by layers of citrus & herbs on the palate
Pouilly Fuisse
(Beaune/France) Enjoyable Chardonnay grape,light & aromatic pear & citrus, balanced, smooth & refreshing
Sake
Komachi Sakura Futsushu
Subtle aromas of white flowers, white asparagus & young rock melon. Medium bodied and medium finish with a refined texture.
Kuncho Honjozo Suzume
Easy drinking sake filled with intense oat, cereal and lactic aromas. Soft, clean finish,
Kuncho Junmai
Traditional fruity Junmai with mild aromas & delicious rice sweetness