A pig in a poke: Work Related Stress 2

Thank you for the feedback on the last article. I think other people's experience can be hugely helpful.

After my breakup, I was a bit of a wreck but decided to do something about it. The doctor advised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) courtesy of Health In Mind. I was referred to a place in Boomtown. A nerve-wracking experience and in my first meeting everything came out in a rant. We set one meeting per month.

I take time off, come back and immediately have to hea
d off on a business trip. Loneliest hotel stay I have ever had. It was a difficult trip and I learned that I don't have the mental/verbal skills to handle aggressive situations. To top it off I am off I am late for the return flight because the taxi driver gets lost.

At work a few issues are reported. More meetings, where I am told that "I'm not just some idiot boy off the street..." but they "feel like they can see the wool between my ears...". What do I want to be I'm asked? How should I know? I want to make my own decisions. I'm told that it doesn't matter how good it looks as long as it works, which in some cases it hadn't. And that environment that was just created for testing? You are responsible for it and it isn't working. Fix it.

I met with the therapist and decided to work on Assertiveness. Each month she sets me tasks to do. I practise at work and with friends. Things start changing. At work, it seems to get a lot harder at first then easier as time goes on. In my social life I learn it's best to tell people what you are thinking or feeling. It's tough but I do it.

My friends and I decide to go to Amsterdam for a week. It turns into one drunken trip to get over a breakup. Good times! On the way home I'm sitting next to a couple who are so cute it's untrue. I decide that I won't go away until I get that again. How times change.

One Friday afternoon, an issue is reported and I investigate with some help. "This is really badly written" I am told. Irony hits me as the work is not mine to complain about and it was the opposite of what I was told. It works but doesn't look good. I start laughing, hysterically and can't stop, much to the annoyance of the people around me and the person trying to tell me off.

My final meeting with the therapist I decided to talk about all of the relationships in my life so far. We spend the next hour going back over them and she says she can see a pattern in these relationships. I haven't pursued relationships that I wanted. This is something different from assertiveness. She referred me to further councillors but I didn't have the inclination to follow them up. She asks me what I would like people to say about me at my funeral. Fairly morbid but I said "He was kind, generous and never judged." What are are my long-term goals? To be good at my job and to have a comfortable home life. What have I always wanted to do but been afraid to attempt? Going travelling alone or with friends. What would you do if you had 6 months to live? I would move out of my parents and go travelling, visiting places I want to go to.

Things seem to be improving!

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Grey Horse

GREY HORSE, DALKEITH ROAD

Pint of Lager - £2.90
Average is the best way to describe this small boozer, situated just up the road from Cameron Toll. Certainly not as 'family friendly' as advertised on its website, there was a slight edge in the air and more than a few sweary drunks exchanging very loud insults across the bar, albeit in a banterous way.

The positives are in the seating, it is adequate and comfortable and the four large screens make it ideal for watching sport, as was the case last night. Although, I cheered just a bit too loudly when Motherwell got their second goal, attracting a bit of unwanted attention. The usual jukebox and fruit machine are on display although the latter sits in the far corner, in such an awkward place, right in front of the toilets.

A good pint was had, and at less than 3 pound, its cheaper than you'l get in the city centre. The Grey Horse is somewhere I'd recommend for a fleeting visit but not much more.

6/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Salisbury Arms

SALISBURY ARMS, DALKEITH ROAD
Pint of Lager - £3.25
Walked into the Salisbury Arms to find the place absolutely heaving and the poor barmaid receiving flak from an angry customer. Despite this, she remained in good spirits and positive as she served up my drink. Unfortunately it was not the best and had a particularly heavy taste, a step down from the Grey Horse.

Inside the Salisbury, it is very spacious and there are various tables, chairs and sofas spread neatly around. Tables and chairs are also found outside although were empty on this chilly night. With no music playing and a single television sitting high up in the heavens, its the perfect place to meet up and chat with friends and family without any distractions. However, if your looking for entertainment then you may well be disappointed. No jukeboxes or games machines here. The restaurant area is found in the back and also very well presented although the only thing I've ever had here was a decent burger and chips two years ago, so can't really give an expert opinion on the food.

If your looking for somewhere to catch up, in a relaxed environment, then this is the place although I hope you get a better Tennents than I did.

7/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Clerk's Bar

CLERK'S BAR, SOUTH CLERK STREET
Pint of Lager - £2.95
American style, alternative bar found at the top end of South Clerk street. Was reliably informed by David that this used to be a 'dive' however I can confidently say that those days seem long gone.

We were immediately greeted by enthusiastic bar staff upon entry and served with a cheap, deliciously poured pint. The interior is cool, spacious and spread over two floors with extra tables and chairs downstairs for busier times. We settled into one of the comfortable booths by the window, with pillows at hand and a massive TV screen perfectly angled in front.

There was a 'Feast for a Fiver' menu on offer with plenty hot snacks such as Fish and Chips and Hot Dogs on the list. Thursday night is karaoke night and was shortly about to begin before we left. We were encouraged by the bar staff to take part and politely declined but it did look like a lot of fun. A quiz night was also advertised for Mondays at 9pm.

The pub seems very student friendly judging by the amount of youngsters present and this may put off the older generation. I also felt the toilets were particularly small, given the size of the place, and could easily get very cramped on a Friday or Saturday night. These are the only minor gripes I have though as this was by far the best pub of the night.

8.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Grapes

THE GRAPES, SOUTH CLERK STREET
Pint of Lager - £2.40


Gonna surprise a few folk with this one but I actually feel quite sorry for The Grapes. It receives a very unfair amount of negative press, much of which I feel is exaggerated. I have been in several times and never experienced any trouble, always receiving good service and last night was to be no different.

Lets get one thing out of the way first, the punters here are very much of a low class background, many of them the slavering drunk type, long term retired or permanently unemployed. However, they all seem genuinely harmless and indeed, one of them made his way over from the bar to shake my hand and introduce himself. This is something you would be extremely unlikely to get from a stuck-up toff on George street.


The pub itself is split into two main sections with the regulars usually found tucked away in a corner to the left and a rear area with a television and seating. The colours in the place are terrible, a hideous mixture of brown and yellow and in desperate need of a fresh lick of paint. I don't know who was choosing the jukebox songs but couldn't help but laugh when "Frosty the Snowman" came on. Yes, really.

This is the sort of place you could imagine where folk drink after closing hours and generally take the piss. However, the bar staff were strict and in control, barking at everyone to finish their drinks as 11pm approached and promptly refusing any late orders. At £2.40 for a pint, and a decent one at that, you can certainly do worse than pop in here, even just for one.

Keep your expectations realistic, though.
5/10

A tour of Britain - Blackpool Prom Chippy

Positioned prominently near the Blackpool tower on the promenade, this chippy was different from the hundreds of others around it by having a clean sharp façade and brushed aluminium décor common to a lot of chip shops these days. It was obvious it was trying to distinguish itself as most of the other chippys are dilapidated around it and look as if they have been the same since the 80s.

The chips were chunky and crisp and the battered cod light and fluffy served in a quality cardboard box. I found it delicious but could only eat half my chips at the tomato sauce (and brown sauce) was served in tiny packets and not added with a bottle resulting in a tiny amount.

At £5.75 this was more expensive than the average £2.99 in the area and this pays for the quality of the product but because of the sauce issue I would go to another chippy next time in Blackpool of which there is lots to choose from.

6/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Radical Road

THE RADICAL ROAD, WILLOWBRAE ROAD
Pint of Lager - £3.50

Upon entering this bar/restaurant we were met with a stark realisation. It was completely empty. Deserted tables and chairs and not a member of staff in sight. However, a lone barmaid appeared and directed us to the pub section down the corridor, and that was where the fun began.

A large, L shaped area is what we found, with a cinema like TV screen and mini dance floor on the far side. The walls were beautifully decorated with memorabilia from times gone by, signed football shirts, hundreds of beermats, shelves with rare whiskies etc. There was a friendly feel to the place that I hadn't felt in other recent establishments.

No suspicious glances or gormless faces here. What really made the night was the pint of lager, ice cold and perfectly poured, it went down an absolute treat, I almost had to remind myself that I was only allowed one.

Downsides? Well I suppose the only one is the politics. This is very much an SNP/YES campaign boozer and makes no qualms about it, with posters and messages galore. This is not necessarily a bad thing but if you are a supporter of the other sides then you may well feel a bit like an atheist strolling into a christian church.

That aside though, I found this a warm and pleasant place and would not hesitate to go back any time.

8.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Sheep Heid Inn

THE SHEEP HEID INN, THE CAUSEWAY
Pint of Lager - £3.25
I try not to do any research prior to visiting a place but it is almost impossible not to know about the Sheep Heid, reportedly one of the oldest pubs in Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots was apparently a regular visitor here back in the day, where she no doubt took many selfies with her various husbands. OK, perhaps not.

This pub has the proper 'village' feel to it, isolated and very old fashioned. I reckon it almost has the perfect layout, split onto three very different sections. The bar and restaurant area are at the front, candle lit and well presented, a pretty barmaid was overseeing most of what was going on, albeit very little on this Monday night. The pint I received was fantastic again, more than matching the Radical Road pub from earlier. In the middle of the Sheep Heid, there is a large beer garden, with some of it protected by shelter and comfy seats situated within, perfectly catering for all seasons.

But the star attraction has to be the skittle alley found at the back. Unlike modern bowling joints, you have to replace the skittles after every shot but this just adds to the fun. It was fully booked when we arrived but the kind group of American tourists asked to join in, and what a night we had. If I am going to be a perfectionist, then the only downpoint was the phone reception, which was very poor and the WiFi seemingly unaccesible. This will disappoint some but on the other hand, this is not a place to be sitting playing on your phone, its a place where you should be having fun and socialising.

The best pub on the journey so far and hoping to visit again in a couple of weeks for my birthday.

9/10

A quest to find the perfect fish and chips - Barracuda

Barracuda, Northfield Drive, Edinburgh
Price: £7.10 (Supper)
Shortlisted by the Evening News as number 5, I was expecting great things.  I was not to be
disappointed with the nicest fish I have had so far.  It was the size of a shark!

The shop was a little difficult to find and isn't that noticeable from the road, but it is well worth a visit.  The staff were quite good chat and were most amused by our efforts to photograph everything.  I noticed that people drove up to the place, so it must be the best local shop.


My chips were good but not quite as good as l'Alba Doro, which has had the nicest chips so far.  The haddock was huge and I am not convinced it wasn't combined with a shark!  If I could take the chips from l'Alba Doro and put this fish on the top, I think this would be an 8-9/10.


On average:
7/10

In Search of the Perfect Fish and Chips - Barracuda

BARRACUDA, NORTHFIELD DRIVE

So in an attempt to make up for the horror show of the St Andrews takeaway on Sunday night, I thought I would visit this little chippy next to the Radical Road Pub. The shop is bright and colourful and has that 'fresh look' feel to it, backed up by an extensive menu where there is surely something for everyone.

The shop assistant was friendly and full of banter, enjoying a laugh at David as he tried to take pictures inside.

My fish was the biggest I had ever ordered, resembling more of a small shark and barely fitting inside the box. However, it was, for the most part delicious and incredibly filling, well worth the 5 minute or so wait. Yet again though, the chips were a big let down, not an ounce of crispiness about them, just soft, soggy and very unenjoyable. If they can sort out the chip malfunction, then this place has huge potential.
7/10

A pig in a poke: Work Related Stress

I have seen a few people, recently speaking about issues they have been experiencing at work, so thought I would share my story. I was meaning to post this at the end of mental health week but there was a lot of research to do. I'm mainly going to focus on the emotional journey rather than anything else. It might not be comfortable reading but if it helps at least one person then it will be a success.

"You will get a salary increase of 70%. This will never happen again. This position will come with increased responsibility. Congratulations!"
You get an overwhelming feeling, initially thinking have I been underpaid by 70% or why such a big increase? Thinking about it now, I realise that this was the moment where I should have stood up and said "Excellent, what training courses am I being sent on?" It doesn't filter in and you go back to your desk, happy but bewildered.

Fast forward a few months and you discover just what that increased responsibility means. An error report comes in from a customer about a test site saying that they can type any weight without limits on a form on the website. The immediate response is to be told that this is a "schoolboy error" with no proper investigation made into the context. Feeling rather foolish, you fix the problem but state that this check was not asked for, only to be told that you should anticipate what the customer will do.

Just before going off for Christmas you get sent a link to a training course that you think looks pretty good and immediately get told, it's just for information - you won't actually go on the course. Feeling quite disappointed, you carry on.

A few months later it is finally decided to put the site live. Despite my best effort there are quite a few problems reported. I get called into a meeting to discuss the site and each problem is my fault. When I try to suggest it was a team effort or that you didn't actually work on that particular bit of code, I am told that you are not being a team player. You have to accept responsibility for some things in life.

Each new problem rolls in and communication breaks down a little in the team. People set impossible to meet deadlines without making clear what they are asking for with the assumption that if you throw enough time at something it will surely work, please? After a while I became deadened by the amount of issues we had experienced going live. It became more and more difficult to care. Everything was because I had been sloppy and not checked this or that.

Eventually, it is demanded that I email progress reports of what I have done each hour. I feel like I am constantly being watched, someone waiting for me to fail so that they can stand above me and say "I knew it!"

In team meetings, I describe the issues that I have been facing. I am told that the customer is thinking of cancelling our contract. Everyone else at the table is going to be fine. I am not. I'm still feeling numb. After a few meetings like this it changes to see will start having to let people go. It would be my fault if the more junior members couldn't stay.

The immense pressure fluctuated out into my life. I became disinterested in what was happening. My girlfriend, who had her own demons, started going out without me. When I was out, I wouldn't say much. I withdrew. I saw her in photos with friends and became distrustful. What was once a good relationship was taken over by our individual issues. We both stopped communicating.

Eventually we split.

It was the right decision.

In Search of the Perfect Fish and Chips - St. Andrews

ST ANDREWS, PORTOBELLO HIGH ST
Thought a nice fish and chips from here would cheer me up from my disgusting hangover but boy, was I wrong. Similar to Giovanni's last week, the chips were soggy and tasteless, completing lacking in any crispiness or flavour. 

The fish was also very disappointing, far too much oil and I don't what the batter was made from but I eventually stopped eating it, such was the taste. Even the brown sauce was poor. 
For a well furnished shop with friendly staff and reasonable prices ( it was less than 6 quid) this place has the potential to flourish. However, until they start producing quality food, there will be many more disgruntled customers like myself.4/10

The Galleon

THE GALLEON, PORTOBELLO HIGH ST
Pint of Lager - £3.00
Not only is this the worst pub in Portobello, this is the worst pub of my entire journey so far.

Dark, gloomy and unwelcoming, and that's just from the outside. As I politely asked for my usual pint of Tennents at the bar, the spectacled barmaid did not utter a single word, not even the price of the drink I was ordering. The inside is small and dank and in serious need of some tlc. What looked like some leftover Xmas decorations were hanging lifelessly underneath the far ceiling, only adding to the air of depression. A single television sits high on the far wall, but at such an awkward position that I can't even recommend coming here for the footy.

The only saving grace was my drink which was actually ok, and not overly expensive. As for the patrons? The pub was near empty apart from a group of middle aged men huddled in the far corner. They occasionally seemed to make funny noises at each other every so often and laugh hysterically. Whether the language they were speaking was English or not, I genuinely couldn't tell you.

3/10

In search of the perfect fish and chips - Giovanni's

GIOVANNI'S, NORTHFIELD BROADWAY

One of those familiar places you've passed your entire life but never actually been into, this chippy in Piershill was highly recommended to me. Ultimately, however, it turned out to be a big disappointment.

The chips were the worst I've had on the journey so far. Soft, soggy and tasteless, in fact so bad that I left around a quarter of them without finishing and that is a rarity. The fish was better, clearly a different recipe used and this resulted in a pleasant taste however, it was lacking in freshness.

This is probably explained by the fact that it was sitting ready to serve when we arrived at the shop. I always prefer to wait for fish to be cooked from scratch, even if it does take up to 7 minutes. The shop itself is very clean and well presented, and the staff provided fast and friendly service with smile. Until they sort out the chips though, I cannot recommend this place in a hurry.

5.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Broadfields Bar

BROADFIELDS BAR, NORTHFIELD BROADWAY
Pint of Lager - £3.20
With this situated literally next door to the Scottie, it made sense to pay a visit, despite the slightly intimidating look. It wasn't a particularly good start, an elderly gentleman smoking outside just gave me a gormless look as we entered, despite my friendly smile and "Alright mate?" quote.

It wasn't too much better inside either. The small interior was scattered with very drunk punters, none of whom seemed in the least bit welcoming and whose vocabulary didn't expect much beyond "fucking this and fucking that". The young barman almost seemed to hesitate as I ordered my pint, however he did serve up a rather good one.

Don't want to kick this place too much as it was fairly well furnished and the usual jukebox and TV screens were prominent. The back wall was well decorated with horse racing portraits from time gone by and the seating areas were comfortable. However, it seems people from Piershill generally don't take too well to outsiders and for that reason I'm pretty glad I won't be needing to go back.

4/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Scottie

THE SCOTTIE, NORTHFIELD BROADWAY
Pint of Lager - £3.25
Excellent bar service but unwelcoming patrons was the tale of this large bar/restaurant. When ordering a pint of lager the barmaid realised it was flat and kindly went downstairs to change the barrel and my resulting drink was a clean, tasty pint of Tennent's. This was key as other places are quite content just to serve you what they have and not bother about the quality.

Inside, the Scottie is very large, a living room style decor greets you upon entering with a fireplace and large bookcases accompanied by comfortable seating on the left. The bar is one of the biggest I've seen and runs almost the full length of the building, a huge selection of drinks and snacks on show. I also thought cigarette machines were extinct but in here you'll find a vapour menthol one which is handy for the smokers or those on a mission to kick to kick the habit.

The only let down inside was the clientele. Not at any time did I feel on edge but we received more than a few suspicious looks and glances in our direction, particularly from a group of gentleman near the far exit who seemed bemused as to why we were inside. Don't care that I'm not from the area, it is a public place and open to everyone.

A minor niggle for an otherwise impressive experience.

7.5/10

A quest to find the perfect fish and chips - Giovanni's

Giovanni's, Northfield Broadway
Price: £6.50 (Supper)
A professional looking shop in the east end of Edinburgh, not an area I am frequently in.  I was very impressed with the newly laid out shop with some high-quality screen showing the prices.  There were mixed reviews on Google and it was rated number 7 in Edinburgh Evening new's Chip Shop of the Year.  I was sorely disappointed with it.

The staff were quite courteous although understandably a little apprehensive about taking photographs in the shop .  It didn't take long for them to serve up, which I think is responsible for the poor quality of food, however it was served with a smile as opposed to last week!

The chips were quite soggy and I wouldn't rate them highly.  I think since the shop is newly opened after refurbishment, the oil needs to be cured for a while before becoming good so I will have to revisit in 6 months when it is more established.  The fish was quite nice.  Nothing to write home about but an improvement on the chips.  Ultimately though, I couldn't finish the meal as I was put off so much by the chips!

On average:
6/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Last Drop

THE LAST DROP, GRASSMARKET
Pint of Lager - £3.60
Supposedly one of the most 'haunted' pubs in Edinburgh, there is certainly nothing scary about this place inside. It is in two parts and serves as a ( fairly expensive ) restaurant during the day and is welcoming and friendly. Large booths are scattered around and the pub is lavished in old fashioned decor, candles and 1500's paintings, retaining that slightly haunting and old school feel. Outside seating and tables are available for those who wish to sample the beautiful Scottish weather.

The disappoint came in the drink, which left a slightly bitter taste at the end and for the price, I would have hoped for better. But a decent start to the day, nonetheless.


7/10

Ryan's Pub reviews - The International Bar

THE INTERNATIONAL BAR, BROUGHAM PLACE
Pint of Lager - £3.00
A small, cosy pub situated on the edge of the Meadows, it has all the essentials you need inside i.e pool table, jukebox, fruit machine, large televisions. More of a 'standing' pub, where patrons huddle around the bar area, the seating is fairly limited and the locals slightly clique.

It also has that common problem of the pool table being that wee bit too close to the bar, resulting in minor inconvenience. However, its one of the cheaper pints I've had in Edinburgh thus far and a very good one at that, the elderly barman serving was a very pleasant gentleman. Would serve as a good pre-drinking venue for those wishing to venture to the nearby Cav nightclub.

7.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Earl of Marchmont

THE EARL OF MARCHMONT, MARCHMONT CRESCENT
Pint of Lager - £3.40

Found this boozer completely by accident whilst wondering around in a heavy downpour near the meadows. It certainly acted as more than a shelter and was indeed the best pub of the day. Priding itself on being more of a wine/ale establishment, it still serves up an excellent pint of Tennent's.

Though small inside, it is very well furnished with excellent seating and the cool touch of a double faced seated bar right in the middle. The young barman was very charismatic and helpful, directing me appropriately back towards the Royal Mile and North Bridge area.

And a special mention for the 'waterfall' style taps in the bathroom, they are just awesome.

8/10

In search of the perfect fish and chips - Castle Rock

CASTLE ROCK, GRASSMARKET

Hadn't been to this chippy in over a year but the smart refurbishment and seven minute wait for the food put me in a confident mood. And I was not to be disappointed.

The fish was delicious and perfectly cooked, suitably melt in your mouth stuff and accompanied by equally fantastic chips, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. By the end, I could easily have ordered another supper, such was the quality.

The shop interior is impressive also, with bars at the back to allow for indoor eating. Only slightly disappointing service and the fact I have had better fish elsewhere (Port Seton and Dunkeld) stop it from being perfect but this is the best I've had in Edinburgh so far and will take some beating.

8.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Robbies

ROBBIES, LEITH WALK
Pint of Lager - £3.10
A relaxed, chilled out boozer at the mid point of Leith Walk. Very large and spacious inside, with an array of comfortable seating, several large tv screens and a games machine.

The clientele were friendly and despite getting busier as the night went on, the atmosphere remained pleasant. Good service and a pleasant pint at a fairly cheap cost made this a good start to the night.

7.5/10

In search of the perfect fish and chips - Tailend Takeaway

Outside of the shop 

TAILEND TAKE AWAY, LEITH WALK

Been to this chippy a few times and it usually never disappoints but last night was a different story. The fish, while decent as always, was coated in overly crispy batter and diminished the taste while the chips were soggy and nothing like the delicious ones served up in the L'Alba Doro last week. To be fair, this was the only time its let me down, and there is an unwritten rule about never eating fish on a Monday but still, a business should be consistent for its customers. What really lets the Tailend down though is the staff. They are as miserable as sin and look as though a smile might cause them extreme pain and torture. The icing on the cake was when David was refused access to the toilets in the restaurant section as it was for "customers only" despite him having just spent 15 pounds in the take away moments earlier. Shameful

* Edit: I have been informed by one of my friends that the reason you avoid fish on a Monday is because they add lime to freshen the frying process and extend the life of the fat. Adding a thicker batter hides the taste but creates a browner colour instead of golden. It also destroys the chips as the acid goes through the potato and makes them soggy inside.

6/10

A quest for the perfect fish and chips - Tailend Restaurant

Front display

Tailend Restaurant - Leith Walk
A pleasant looking Restaurant and Fish Bar halfway down Leith walk.  I was expecting very good things from here as I had been told that it the fish was freshly caught.

Just before we went into order our dinner, we met one of the brilliant locals who gave us a rendition of Simon says, upon learning that our friends name was Simon.

Interior

The interior of the place was very clean and sporting the drinks cabinet and an ice cream cabinet.

Just before I went there I had been working in the garden so my hands were a little muddy.  I asked to use the facilities, whereupon two confused looking waitresses told me, rather rudely that the toilets were for customers only.  I replied that I had just ordered food and this was then changed to restaurant customers only.

Not to be deterred by their lack of customer relations, I set about my meal.  Fish n chips with salt and vinegar.  The chips were mediocre, the last quarter were very crispy and  it was impossible to eat with a fork.  The fish started out quite well as it was also crispy but then it turned out to be a little burnt.  At a total cost of £7.50 for a can of Irn Bru and the meal, I would expect a bit better in terms of service and food quality.

* Edit: I have been informed by one of my friends that the reason you avoid fish on a Monday is because they add lime to freshen the frying process and extend the life of the fat.  Adding a thicker batter hides the taste but creates a browner colour instead of golden.  It also destroys the chips as the acid goes through the potato and makes them soggy inside.

On average:
5.5

A quest for the perfect fish and chips - l'alba Doro

l'alba Doro, Henderson Row
A sudden adventure to Stockbridge after my friend's date bailed.  We had a pleasant jaunt down from Princes Street.  The exterior of the shop is very well presented.
 The interior is also very well presented and the staff were very friendly.  They seemed very eager to impress, although this could be because we told them that we were doing chip shop reviews.

The chips were without a doubt the best chips I have had so far.  From what I understand the potatoes are the highest of quality.  My fish was also excellent, although Ryan did not enjoy his as much as I did.  From what I understand the food is not fried using traditional vegetable oil.  It is fried using rapeseed oil, which I think gives it a very different flavour.

At £6.90 for a supper, it is on the more expensive side but for the quality, the friendly staff and the fact you can sit in and eat, it is well worth the price.

On average :
7.5/10

In Search of the Perfect Fish and Chips - l'alba Doro

Outside of the shop

L'ALBA DORO, HENDERSON ROW


Spacious, well presented chippy with sit in bars and award recognition's covering most of the far walls. However, the fish didn't quite live up to the billing, the 2-3 minute wait seemed a little too fast to be cooking it. The chips were fantastic though and the friendly service made it an enjoyable night out overall.


7/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Orchard

THE ORCHARD, HOWARD PLACE
Pint of Lager - £3.60
First night back doing the pub trail and it was a good start. Came across this huge bar/restaurant when leaving the chip shop down the road. Right in the heart of Canon Mills, it is spacious and diverse, with a huge range of alcohol on show and two large televisions on opposite walls.

The pint itself was fresh and tasty,and well worth the price. Two weed smelling jakeys came in halfway through to put a slight downer on the experience but can honestly say its good to be back.

7.5/10