La Concha

Deanhaugh St., Edinburgh

visited 16/3/10

This place is in competition with Rafael's, virtually next door and with a similar way of doing things. La Concha is Italian, with a lovely warm but elegant room and a great-looking menu: limited but you want to try everything. We were the only diners on a Tuesday evening, so it was hard to tell what the ambience would be like on other nights.

I had calamari to start with which, strange to relate, were not quite as fresh and tender as the ones I had had at notorious party spot and non-foodie-heaven Vittoria the other night (don't ask). They came with a lovely hot/sweet chutney, which was spot on. I also tried someone else's butternut squash ravioli which excellent--silky pasta and nicely flavoured squash, all light and tasty.

As it was free-range I went for the saltimbocca but I didn't think it was great. The veal and prosciutto were both too dry and faintly chewy. Someone else’s venison was very properly cooked, however. We shared some puddings--a lovely chocolate tart with liquorice ice cream (the liquorice hits you right at the end, very good) and a rather dull (and not exactly Italianate) apple crumble.

House wine (Sicilian) was good.

I don't think I chose the best options at la Concha, but on the whole I think I'd go to Rafael's if in search of a small, friendly basement Mediterranean restaurant in Stockbridge.