Michael’s Steak & Seafood Bar

Edinburgh is not short of restaurants so when deciding where to go for our one year anniversary dinner, it was not an easy choice where to go. Michael’s Steak & Seafood came to mind after i’d read a number of good reviews on Unilocal and tripadvisor, so we booked a table for the saturday night.
we arrived a bit early for our table reservation but were shown to a table right away. this was in the window right next to a flight of stairs and a bit out of the main body of the restaurant. it felt a bit isolated so we asked to move which was accommodated to a better seat in the middle of the restaurant. i know the idea was to put us in the window and make the restaurant look busier, but as there were free tables in better locations i was a bit annoyed they did this. but they moved us without a hassle so that was fair enough.
the menu is true to the name– steaks and seafood are to the fore for both starters and mains. i went with a smoked haddock and saffron potato terrine to start and the sirlion steak with chimichurri sauce for my main. the boyfriend had the queenie scallops to start followed by the rib eye steak with peppercorn sauce for a main. starters arrived quickly, pretty much just after we got our bottle of wine. my terrine was good without being amazing and the queenie scallops while good were a fairly small portion for the prize. the starter plates were only just cleared away before our steaks arrived for a main, so a bit of a rush through the meal which i hate. but the steak was cooked well and had a nice beefy taste. my chimichurri sauce was quite good but that wasn’t a lot of it sadly. i think the best part was my boyfriend’s sauteed potatoes that were really moreish with the steaks solidly average.
we were offered dessert menus which we looked over and took some time to drink our wine as the whole meal so far had only been over the space of just barely an hour. we opted for a sticky toffee pudding and walnut, almond, and caramel tart to end with amaretto liquer coffees to follow. the sticky toffee pudding was really quite good. my tart was not quiet what i expected being a pastry base filled with whole nuts mixed in a caramel type sauce. it was ok but nothing more. the amaretto coffees were quite good though.
so overall i was left a little underwhelmed with Michael’s Steak & Seafood. it was not the romantic dinner we’d hoped for on our anniversary night and the fact we had three courses, wine, and coffee we were only there for an hour and a half. the timing of each course felt quite rushed and i didn’t really feel like i could sit and enjoy my dinner. they didn’t need our table back so i’m not sure why everything was served so fast. the staff are friendly though and the price is fairly reasonable but with so many options in edinburgh i don’t think i’ll be back.

This bright and elegant establishment is very new — another venture by Michael Neave of the eponymous bistro in Fishmarket Close. Had lunch here yesterday, and look forward to repeating the experience. No ultra cheap lunch deals here, but superb food, excellent service and good value. Fish is very nicely cooked (haven’t sampled the steaks of the title) and everything is very nicely presented.
Very fresh modern simple décor, and, as with Michael’s other place, plenty of space between tables so that you are not sharing other people’s conversations.
I shall definitely be back!

I have been waiting for this place to open as I work near here. The décor did not change at all from the previous owner (Steak and Mussel) who decided to close it down after their short stint.
I ordered the queenie scallops as a starter. You get six tasty and succulent queenie scallops. These morsels are beautifully seasoned to bring out its maximum flavour.
I proceeded to have the salmon with clam and mussel casserole as main. Salmon was roasted and I love the crispiness of the skin. People used to discard skins but I think that it’s the best part. The mussels and clams were cooked separately and all of them married up just at the right time for the final presentation. Superb flavour, varied texture and pleasingly full after that.
Finally, the vanilla panna cotta as dessert. Heavenly sin on a sea of berry soup. Texture is consistent and cleans the palate nicely just to end the meal.
I am glad the menu and food here impressed me since it just opened not long ago. It’s definitely a keeper. Give it a try.

We chanced upon the maiden voyage of this delightful eatery. Friendly staff, bright tasteful modern décor, great service and food to die for. Loved the blues background music which somehow fit beautifully. A magical meal– a great start for a very promising establishment.