I’m starting to believe that the more cups of tea you drink, the more British you become. If that’s the case, I’m about 60-70 bags more British since arriving here 22 days ago. I’ve always liked tea (and love a glass of sweet tea home in Atlanta) so it’s not much of a learning curve. Cath and I were Anglophiles/Scotophiles at an early age thanks to our mom’s proclivity for watching British TV on PBS when we were growing up (if we had had cable, we would have been entirely different people).
So, even though this transition period has been hard (I had quite a mean spurt of blues last night — missing my family and friends), there are so many things that more than make up for it in this lovely country of tea and crumpets and cheery pubs!
Matt and I stumbled upon Roseleaf in Leith our first week in town. You can just make out their green pub sign behind my head in these photos:
Outfit details: Madewell jacket and jeans • thfited blouse • Frye boots • canvas tote from a Japanese mag bought in San Francisco’s Japantown
Now why was Roseleaf such a site-for-weary-traveler’s-eyes?
Well, to start, we didn’t realize it was such a popular place until we stumbled in on a Saturday afternoon and all the tables were reserved. Never fear! The very kind Scottish barman cleared a teeny table for us (below: not our teeny table):
We got to share our perfect-for-two table with a fringed lampshade lamp and these two jolly trash bin (me thinks?) salt and pepper shakers:
We started with some tea/drinky poos:
And then we had a gander at their food menu — oh my!
Can you guess what I got? (Like my subtle highlighting of the menu?) And this is what the Roseleafer looked like in person:
I promise the vegetarian haggis (lower left corner) was delicious especially mixed around with my potato pancake, egg and tomato!
Matt was slightly more reserved than I and went for the potato stack: potato pancakes, bacon, egg — also delicious (and a great suggestion for those who just had a slightly nauseated feeling when reading “vegetarian haggis”):
We no longer live just a few minutes walk from Roseleaf (huge sigh!), but I will journey out there as often as I can. Look they even bring you your bill in an old tobacco tin – loves it!
——-
Dear Kitcath,
I am enamored of your hat, and do want one very much like it. Though I’m still concerned that brimmed hats are wont to blow off heads in Edinburgh’s gales. I actually haven’t seen too many ladies with cute hats on here, and I’m guessing that’s why. Hoods, yes. Umbrellas, yes. Dapper fodoras, non. Will keep you posted.
Also, thanks for trying to cheer me up last night! I ended up going out and buying two mags: British Vogue (Rhianna cover) and a BBC Food Mag. The latter might seem like a strange choice, but I really need to start wrapping my head around British recipes. What does 400 ml of something look like?! Also, it came with a magenta spatula, so I was sold.
Miss you terribly! Will take you guys to Roseleaf when you’re here for Christmas!!! Yipppeees!
xoxoxoxoxo,
Larbar
omg that breakfast looks massive.and is making me hungry.
looks like you are having a fantastic time over there. i can’t wait to see blog updates when the asian cajuns reunite over the holidays 🙂
O.M.G. Yes, we will definitely have to go to Roseleaf – that place looks magical! It’s still a little too warm in Atlanta to drink hot tea, but I have to start preparing my stomach for it. Those ceramic trash bin salt and pepper shakers freak me out!
Yup, I have a Westie! She’s an absolute, 100% b. I swear my dog rules the house; what she says happens within a matter of seconds.
If there’s a Uniqlo over there, you should stop by and pick up some of their Heat Tech items. I don’t know if they’re necessarily warmer, but they’re thin enough to layer under blouses and sweaters. I wore their thin colored tops under everything during the ridiculous Seoul winter and layered their Heat Tech leggings and tights under more leggings and tights so I could actually wear skirts and dresses. (Pants can be a drag when you have to wear them everyday, and it sounds like you’re feeling the repetition.)
Roseleaf looks like a dream. Drinky Poo’s? They’re talking my language over there! I’ll take your word on the veggie haggis. Your plate (skillet?) looks like heaven to me. My eyes bulged at the sight of that super yellow and HUGE egg yolk!
Happy Weekend!
♥ laura
the blog of worldly delights
Massive Scottish fry-up, looks very blues chasing.How would a mostly vegetarian, glutten free diet hold up in Edie? A somewhat depressing but necessary thought. Haggis is made with oats, methinks?
There are lots of menus here with gluten-free options, Bunkie! So get ready to eat when you come to visit 😉 xoxoxo, Lar
PS: Gotta love a place with a non ironic “Drinky Poos” on it’s menu. Life can still be wonderfully silly.
Love reading your Scotland updates. Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures. I like the bill in the old tobacco tin,I think the Europeans are the best recyclers/re-users!
We miss you!
Thanks so much for reading my updates, Cheryl! I miss you too! I hope you had a wonderful time in Paris!
I’ve heard British food isn’t the greatest, but this looks YUM!! Sorry to hear you’ve been having the blues ;( That’s natural, but I think it sounds like you have the best attitude to deal with it!
I love afternoon tea! This is a lovely post – can’t wait to read more about your adventures in your new home.
Mmm, Roseleaf looks adorable and delicious! And your outfit is awesome. I adore the Fryes!
this looks adorable – what a perfectly cooked fry up. makes me want to reach in with my virtual fork and smush up that perfectly orange yellow egg yolk.
Fryes are the best! I just bought a pair in the cognac colour and I have been wearing them daily.