Far east fusion at Izzi
I had a very enjoyable dinner at Izzi, on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road, a couple of Fridays ago. This restaurant is fairly narrow, but is surprisingly deep. Its main difference being the Japanese/Chinese hybrid of its menu choice. We hadn’t booked, but a table for two was available at around 7pm - although by the time we left it was fairly busy, so at weekends I would recommend (as with most places in Edinburgh) booking a table before hand.
Th menu was fairly large and split between the Japanese and Chinese sections. For starter I had tuna hosomaki (£5) and my dining partner, not being an eater of raw fish, had the avocado hosomaki (£3.70). This was all brought on one plate and was very nice indeed - I’d rate it slightly above Sushiya on Dalry Road for the hosomaki, but I find both excellent.
For mains the Chinese section tempted me into sweet and sour chicken that proved a quality dish which tasted just right - not too ‘gooey’ and using whole, good quality pieces of chicken. Definitely a standard above most Chinese takeaways. Although at £8 it wasn’t the cheapest dish when you take into account the boiled rice I ordered to accompany it that cost £2.30. So £10.30 for my main course in total. My dining partners Chicken Teriyaki was impressive too, especially the delicious onions and the little shredded cabbage and dressing it was served with.
The sticky(ish) rice was traditionally served in a large bowl that you spoon into your own smaller bowls along with helpings of your main course. I was struggling to finish - so it’s a hefty sized portion Izzi deliver. House white wine was £3 per glass, while Coca-Cola was £1.30 for only a very small glass; I wish that restaurants like Izzi would stop serving soft drinks in such ridiculously small glasses like this.
The service at Izzi was very friendly and accommodating, although there was a slight corridor feel to our table as waitresses and patrons kept walking by the side of our table - this can’t be helped though, it’s just the shape of the property. The kitchen is located toward the front of the restaurant so you can peak at your dishes being prepared, and definitely hear (and often smell) the wok in action!
I like Izzi and will definitely be back. Normally, I’m a person who either goes out for a Japanese meal or out for a Chinese meal and dismiss many of these so called fusion restaurants as ‘jack of all trades’ and ‘master of none’. But Izzi executed both well, with the two cuisines dishes exhibiting high standards of quality and taste. On the downside, and I guess what might prevent persons from becoming regulars at Izzi, was the relative high price for some of the dishes. It ain’t the cheapest, but is definitely one of the better restaurants in Edinburgh for its category. Recommended.
Note: Izzy have a website , but it looks broken at the time of writing.
OK, I’m tempted now. I’d love to sample more ‘upmarket’ Chinese/Japanese food than my usual takeout experience.
But I admit to having been kind of put off Izzi by the scary little varnished (preserved somehow? Aspic?) food items in the window, although those are a lot more low key now than they used to be . . .
Just had one of the best meals I have had in Edinburgh for ages, started with tuna hosomaki made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up then followed by the rolled beef with spring onions which i had the pleasure of seeing my dish being created(well worth the open kitchen) which looked on the small side for a main but I left very satified and will return with glee in the future.