Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • The Spanish Butcher, Edinburgh

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Steak
    • Decor: Modern, dark
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: They subbed the Scotch Tomahawk for the Galician prime rib since they were out; still absolutely delicious! The portion would have easily fed three people, so we definitely overate (even without dessert). Sourdough included. Only comment is that the salmon starter needed more “base” (e.g. more bread) to balance the flavours.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Sunday Roast for Two to Share

    • Starters: Hot smoked harissa salmon creme fresh, pickled fennel, crisped leeks & Beef and marrow sliders, truffle cheese, harissa aioli
    • Main: 1.2kg Scotch Tomahawk served with the classic roast trimmings

    Price

    • Final bill: £113 including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • April 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Thamel Edinburgh

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes, only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): The aubergine side dish and paratha were decent enough.
    • Decor: Vibrant, sienna coloured walls that pop out even from the outside.
    • Service: Fast and efficient.
    • Other thoughts: Disappointing given the hype.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Papadam
    • Starter (shared x1): Chicken Momos
    • Mains: Jara’s Nihari Gosht and Manchurian Chicken Chilli
    • Sides: Kavre Ko Bhanta (aubergine), Tandoori Paratha, traditional naan and steamed rice

    Price

    • Final bill: £69 for two pax, no drinks

    Date

    • April 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • RAI Restaurant London

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Nigiri sushi; made fresh in front of you and placed directly onto your hand.
    • Decor: Modern, with Japanese influence.
    • Service: Good. Points knocked off for being too aggressive in selling add-ons.
    • Other thoughts: The homemade sake (i.e. moonshine) at the end was a nice touch!

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Counter omakase – 9 courses

    Price

    • Final bill: £68 for one counter omakase – 9 courses + £15 Lobster nigiri add-on, both including 15.0% service charge

    Date

    • March 2026

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • La Sauvegarde de la Marne Restaurant Pédagogique, Reims

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes, close to the Pommery champagne house
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Beetroot carpaccio
    • Decor: Simple
    • Service: Good enough
    • Other thoughts: A teaching restaurant with amazing value for money. I would skip dessert as the raspberry was rubbery, but for +€1 you really can’t complain.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Starters: Beetroot carpaccio with pears, walnuts and feta & rabbit terrine
    • Main: Pork loin and lentils (Lentilles et saucisses de Morteau)
    • Dessert: Cheese & Raspberry cream cake (vacherin framboise)

    Price

    • Final bill: £21 for two pax (€12 for three courses)

    Date

    • March 2026

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Mister Nata

    Verdict

    5/5: Lives on in my mind

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Pastel de Nata (that’s the only thing on their menu!)
    • Decor: Small walkway with only enough space for two customers to either quickly munch their pastries on tiles as plates, or to takeaway.
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: The pastries are on food warming pads that serve the dual purpose of keeping the pastries warm and marketing these delicious treats to the world through scent!

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Apple & pear pastel de nata

    Price

    • Final bill: £3 for one pastry

    Date

    • March 2026

    Clarissa Ching

    ,

  • Maki & Ramen, 1 Leith Street (St James Quarter shopping centre)

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes, for an early lunch
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Steak Tataki Ramen
    • Decor: Modern Japanese
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: There’s another brunch located just 2 minutes walk away on 37 Leith Street. This branch opens earlier at 11am (vs 12pm).

    Dish(es) savoured

    • BLACK GARLIC TONKOTSU: Our tonkotsu with a twist – 8 hour broth infused with black garlic oil creating an even more intense flavour for a decadent experience.

    Price

    • Final bill: £16 for one ramen only, including 10.0% service charge

    Date

    • January 2026

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Lannan Bakery & Pantry

    Verdict

    5/5: Lives on in my mind

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Pastries, especially their cinnamon croissants
    • Decor: Modern cafe vibes
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Fantastic bakery but not worth the 1.5 hours average waiting time. Recommended to try your luck at c.2pm on a weekday with bad weather.

    Baked good(s) savoured

    • £3.50 Canelé de Bordeaux: Traditional canelé with whey, brown butter, and cognac
    • £6.00 Bostock: Croissant loaf with almond frangipane and seasonal jam
    • £5.50 Custard Slice: Creme fraiche custard and blackcurrant icing with spelt puff pastry
    • £4.00 Cinnamon Bun

    Date

    • October 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Project Canelé

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Yes, only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): Canelé
    • Decor: Modern cafe vibes
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: The canelé’s crust tasted burnt, and the chouquette was dry rather than fluffy

    Baked good(s) savoured

    • £3.25 Canelé: Caramelised crust, soft custardy interior. Flavoured with vanilla and hint of rum.
    • £3.95 Chouquette (x5): Five pieces of light choux pastry bites topped with crunchy pearl sugar

    Date

    • October 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • Sotto Enoteca & Trattoria

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern trattoria with terracotta exterior
    • Service: Charming and attentive, knows their stuff
    • Other thoughts: Their set menu changes every month, and is available 12-2pm every Wed to Sat.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Set lunch £18/£22/£26

    • Antipasti: Gamboncello di Maiale e Mele: Ham Hock Salad, Compressed Apples, Mustard Dressing
    • Antipasti: Zuppa di Ceci: Chickpea Soup, Cavolo Nero, Garlic and Herb Crostini
    • Main: Spaghetti alla Carbonara: Guanciale, Pecorino, Egg Yolks
    • Dolce: Torta Del Giorno
    • Dolce: Gelato Pistachio

    Others

    • Focaccia, Trapanese Pesto

    Price

    • Final bill: £30 per pax including 12.5% service charge

    Date

    • October 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • Captain’s Darling

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Sirloin roast beef
    • Decor: Dark modern gastropub
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Perfectly cooked sirloin roast beef with a hint of smokiness

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Haggis croquettes, smoked Dunlop cheese, pickle, brown sauce
    • Sunday roast: Dry aged sirloin roast beef served with roasted carrots, broccoli, beef-fat roasted potatoes (oil-roasted with hispi steak), Yorkshire puddings & gravy

    Price

    • Final bill: £36 excluding service charge

    Date

    • September 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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