Travelling D.
Google
A short Walk from John Lewis and St James shopping mall down Leith walk.
Spry offers a minimalist setting with white walls, black-and-white artwork, and shelves of bottles on display. Seating options include modern Windsor-style wooden chairs and a mix of low ankle-height tables, small round tables, and higher bar seating. The lighting is subdued, with spotlights highlighting walls rather than tables, complemented by four globe pendant lights. The open-plan bar doubles as a kitchen, allowing diners to watch the two chefs at work.
Food:
The starters stood out with exceptional flavors and presentation:
• Chicory Salad: Delicious, with an intense walnut flavor, though the raspberry was less prominent.
• Beetroot Tartare with Smoked Eel: A well-balanced dish.
• Cured Sea Trout: Outstanding, with a beautifully light aerated tartare sauce atop pickled gherkins.
• Cured Halibut: While the dish was small, the Arbroath smokie cream paired with crispy potato strands was excellent.
The mains were a mixed bag:
• North Sea Crab with Jerusalem Artichoke and Leeks: Beautifully balanced and flavorful.
• Braised Beef with Bread Pudding: The meat was decent, but the pudding was dry, and the overall dish lacked vibrancy.
• Celeriac Lasagna with Cumin: The cumin was overpowering, detracting from the dish.
Drinks:
The cocktails were well-crafted but very small for the price:
• Olive Oil Martini: Tasty but minuscule.
• Negroni Bianca and Americano: Both enjoyable but portion sizes left something to be desired.
Service:
Long waits between courses were frustrating, especially for mains. The restaurant’s approach of serving all starters at once could be reconsidered for a more relaxed and staggered experience.
Value for Money:
While the food was undeniably delicious, portion sizes (for both food and cocktails) were underwhelming for the high price point. Seating was also uncomfortable, detracting from the overall experience.
Final Thoughts:
Spry delivers some exquisite dishes and creative cocktails, but the small portions, slow service, and uncomfortable seating make it poor value for money. Improvements in portion sizes, pacing of service, and comfort would elevate the experience.