Tempus Bar & Restaurant Review

Tuesday, 6pm. Dining at The Tempus tonight. What to wear, oh what to wear? Well, it’s on George Street, one of New Town Edinburgh’s most upmarket areas, and it’s part of the four-star George Hotel. Boy, this place must be real snazzy! This evening calls for my fanciest slinky black dress, my shiniest accessories and my newest (only) pair of high heels.

Tuesday, 7:30pm. Upon arriving at the entrance and whirling through the revolving doors, it occurred to me that I might have been too quick to judge. As I made my way through the spacious bar and into the vast symmetrical dinner area, I instantly knew that I could have been wearing blue jeans and trainers, and no one would have even stared. Don’t get me wrong; The Tempus does actually seem rather posh at first glance, with its exquisite glass chandelier, its elegantly set tables, and its huge luxurious dining room. Nonetheless, something about this place made it seem comfortable, laid-back, almost appeasing. While some arrive all dressed-up in their best suits and dresses (a-hem), many just spontaneously pop up from the street wearing everyday trousers and shirts. All types and styles blend in perfectly in a utopian melting pot where everyone feels welcome. No one looked twice at the casually dressed tie-less man reading a book whilst savouring his dish, or at the woman in the pink designer suit (well alright, I did stare at her a little, it was quite a suit!).

Although The Tempus is part of the George Hotel, its guests are far from being the only diners. For a more local ambiance, best would be to go on a weekend when customers are mainly residents of Edinburgh, and some even regulars. But then again Friday and Saturday evenings can get quite busy. Hotel guests often chose midweek to enjoy a tranquil supper. The only flaw on Tuesday was the music; an amalgam of popular tunes that I would be less shocked to hear in a pub; in a four-star hotel restaurant, not so much. Then again, the volume was kept to a minimum, for the sake of conversation.

One of the keys to The Tempus’ success must be its incredibly knowledgeable and helpful staff. The waitress that was assigned to my table was very attentive, quick, charismatic and provided me with full answers to my queries. She knew the menu very thoroughly, and most probably sampled every dish, which would explain her competence in recommending the meal that best suits each liking.

The elegantly presented dishes seem small at first, but actually contain satisfactory portions, as long as a starter precedes and a third course follows. The Tempus has something for everyone, meat enthusiasts and faithful vegetarians alike. There are no particular specials, for all items on the menu are wide ranging and have that special touch. However, there are some dishes known to be more popular, according to the waitress. The most commonly ordered starters are the rope grown mussels and the oatmeal crumbled haggis (no need to explain why, I suppose). I was delighted when the waitress brought to our table fresh bread with balsamic-and-oil dip, which brilliantly accompanied my smoked salmon.

The popular main courses include the Buccleuch steak, recognized nationally for its quality. My guest indulged herself in its medium-cooked tenderness, carefully dipping each chunk into a delectable pepper sauce. The organic salmon fillet is also well liked, but I decided to explore my rebellious side, and order the unmentioned Ballotine of chicken. These three truffle-stuffed lumps of heaven, served on creamed mushrooms and wilted greens, were delicacies, especially when served with a side of mashed potatoes, as the waitress wisely suggested.

The preferred deserts are the sticky toffee pudding and the crème brûlée, which has a nice golden crust (that my guest found quite pleasant to crack) over its soft sweet interior. Nonetheless, insubordinate as ever, I adhered to the less popular chocolate truffle tart with spiced berries. Bliss! But then again, does the chocolate-fruits combination ever fail? Luca’s churned ice cream could have been an excellent choice as well, but I’ll just go directly to Musselburgh and try it fresh from the shop.

Overall, this dining experience was friendly, relaxing, and absolutely finger licking. The bill, on the other hand, was none of those things, but that was all the Buccleuch steak’s doing. There are more economical ways of eating at The Tempus; one could make it out of there with only £20 less in the bank, but those who have big appetites might not leave with satisfied bellies.

Tuesday, 9pm. Ahhh feels good to take off the heels!
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Tempus Bar & Restaurant Description

The Tempus Bar & Restaurant is a conveniently located on George Street, one of Edinburgh’s finest areas for an evening out on the town. A varied selection of fresh meat, fish and vegetable-based dishes are served every evening, and sometimes even at lunchtime in the lounge upon request. The Tempus is also highly reputed for its enormous assortment of wines and champagnes, which take up half the menu. Their modern British cuisine is created from ingredients solely provided by local producers and farms. The dining room’s vast tables and booths can welcome numerous guests, which makes this an excellent location for celebrating birthdays, graduations, wedding anniversaries and even hen parties! The Tempus was voted Best Bar and Lounge at the Scottish Hotel Awards in 2009.

Customer Reviews for Tempus Bar & Restaurant

Average (based on 1 votes): 1 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid Edinburgh and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Tempus Bar & Restaurant.

“The food at Tempus Bar and Restaurant was absolutely delicious, and the portion sizes were perfect. They have a wonderful variety of food for everyone's taste. I went during the week when it was pretty quiet, but that didn't stop the waitress from being extremely attentive and polite. In fact, it gave us a little more time to talk with her and get some of her helpful knowledge and facts about the food. The inside of the restaurant is really stunning and the lighting provides a nice posh and relaxing mood. The layout doesn't provide the most privacy if you are sitting in the middle as people on the sides face inward to you, but if you're on the sides then it's much better. Overall it was a great night out on George Street. I would recommend getting a bit dressed up, but you don't have to go all out if you don't want to.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Thecla McMillan, Vancouver, BC (1 years 9 months 26 days ago)

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Modern British
• Group: (Independent/Freehouse)