Paul Kitching’s 21212

This has to be one of the most exciting Michelin starred restaurants around. 21212, located in Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace, officially opened on 20th May 2009. It has not taken long to get that first star.

Paul Kitching had previously held a Michelin star for Juniper in Manchester, for eleven years before moving on to start his own dining experience, 21212.

The gourmet sample menu is simply brilliant. A quite staggering quantity of ingredients are used in each dish to create something spectatcular. A taste explosion every time. The highest culinary skill is used to great effect and manages to deliver astounding food that is also a lot of fun.

For instance, here is one of the starters – Beef Steak With Chips & Onions, Mushrooms, Egg & Streaky Bacon, Beans, Tomato Ketchup, Broken Blue Cheese & Pecan Tart, H P Fruity, Garlic & Parsley Butter….That’s got you thinking, hasn’t it?!

The five course gourmet menu consists of a choice of two dishes on the starter, main course and dessert courses, which is why the restaurant is named 21212 (with soup course and cheese course making up the 1’s). The above listed starter is one of two, with Chinese Style Fish the other, complete with a plethora of supporting ingredients again.

The menu at 21212 is a modern French style of cookery, the dishes are a composition of flavours that enhance the whole dining experience. His dishes are intricate, feminine and vibrant in colour and they are delicately assembled with a build up of flavours that are memorably exciting.

The starters are followed by a soup course and then its back to two dishes for main. May I whet your appetite with this appealing dish? 21212 Lamb Curry, Assiette Of Best End, Braised Flank, Kebab & Merquez Sausage, Banana & Cucumber Confit, Currants & Peanuts, Celeriac & Sticky Rice `Coleslaw`, Basil Leaves, Saffron, Yoghurt & Onion Soubise Sauce. Oh my word!

Facilities include, a 38 seater restaurant with open kitchen, drawing room, private dining and four luxury bedrooms. The listed Georgian townhouse over four floors is light, spacious and airy.

The 5 course 21212 Gourmet sample menu is £65. It is also a chance to try the most unique and inspirational food around.

I will leave you with one of the deserts and this really is quite special – “Layered Pears & White Chocolate, Ginger Sponge & Pistachios, Yoghurt & Cottage Cheese, Crabbies Ginger Wine & Vanilla Anglaise, Served In My `Little Russian Doll` Demi Tasse”

For a most amazing dining experience, Bookings can be made on reservations@21212restaurant.co.uk.