Comments on: Roseleaf bar/cafe, something different for Leith

By: John Smith

John Smith — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:00:41 +0000

The Roseleaf is quite a pleasant place to sit and have a drink but sometimes the idea of ‘informal dining’ is taken too far: there needs to be some boundaries between staff/customers. The food was OK, but nothing great; not of a very high standard and in most cases overpriced. The menu changes so regularly that its difficult to keep track of whats going on: the atmosphere is a bit to crazy. The food is often overcooked, either too much or too little on the plate: they can’t seem to get it right. Staff don’t show much respect to customers. Agree with the above comment - fairly unpleasant (overall).

By: RLB

RLB — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:59:32 +0000

John B is about right. It’s a lovely bar, a little bit different but ina nice way. We were in a large party and clearly the staff and kitchen couldn’t cope. The food was very average, it says on the menu that it takes 20 minutes to cook a burger, not sure why but mine certainly tasted like it had been cooked for twenty minutes, dry and grey inside and fell apart when you cut it. the (male) waiter serving us was cheeky bordering on fairly unpleasant.

By: John B.

John B. — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:56:38 +0000

Rose Leaf is very hit and miss - the owners have clearly put a lot of effort and attention to detail into creating a pleasant environment, the decor is imaginative and charming, and most of the staff are extremely charming too but, when guests at my hotel ask for bar recommendations, I tend to suggest Sofi’s because it is a safer bet, a couple of the Rose Leaf staff are spectacularly rude and, if visitors are only in Edinburgh for a few nights, it is not worth running the risk of ruining an entire night. One specific barman has come up a lot in the feedback I was getting, so, we had no choice but to remove Rose Leaf from our list.

Again, the vast majority of the Rose Leaf staff are extremely nice but there are a couple who just don’t get it and, as someone with a lot of experience in the hospitality industry, I would guess that this is because the owners are not paying attention to the experience that customers are having when they, the owners, are not on the premises.

This is a very common mistake in new businesses; it is tricky to stop younger male staff going off on power trips and inexperienced owners tend to make the mistake of thinking that staff always act as they do in front of you. It takes a certain amount of guile to work out which of your staff are spoiling your reputation and, then, a lot of effort to help inexperienced bar staff to understand that customers are easily offended and unlikely to return if you humiliate them, even slightly.

For now, Rose Leaf has a lot of potential, but they are haemorrhaging a lot of good will, I would love to see the owners pay a little more attention to the customer experience, particularly at night, I think they are really onto something but they need to pay more attention, small details like this can destroy a business.

By: elaine

elaine — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:37:23 +0000

On reflection, why did the moderator allow such offensive language from KM into a bar/cafe review? Constructive feedback is fine - sheer rudeness is not necessary.

By: elaine

elaine — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:31:07 +0000

I had a fantastic party with 16 friends in Roseleaf on 19th Feb and the staff were amazing. Always on hand, keeping an eye on empty glasses etc but not hassling or pushing us in any way. We sat on for a while after we finished eating and they were happy to leave us. Food was good, especially the cullenskink.
Its a fun place - serving cocktails in china teapots with china cups.

In contrast, Kerry McDonald sounds disgusting and I suggest no one pays any attention to the rude comments he/she has made.

By: Steven

Steven — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:13:41 +0000

The Roseleaf is a great spot that i visit maybe once a month. The staff are freindly and helpful. I would suspect Kerry McDonald has a hang up about something. An endering quality bad mouthing a place.

By: KAY

KAY — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:48:44 +0000

I loved Roseleaf. There were 11 of us, all girls and we were given fancy hats for the madhatters tea party. Made our weekend. Thanks again x

By: ola stypula

ola stypula — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:35:22 +0000

I am 26 in January. I am working at the Grosvener Hotel,at Haymarket. As I live at Meadowbank this would be a more convenient place to work.

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:26:53 +0000

Staff were great, decor cool and atmospere was nice. The burger wasn’t as juicy as we expected and it came with a small portion of crisps on the side - not really filling enough.

By: Edna

Edna — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:25:04 +0000

Unlike Kerry’s comments I have been in the Roseleaf a couple of times. First time with 5 members of my family age ranged from 8-81 years for food which was fabby went out there way to accomadate my daughter’s portion and what she would like to eat. Went back just last week after we had been at pic’s for a drink with hubby and my daughter again the staff were very friendly. My daughter got a free cake with her juice and the quirky cups, saucers and plates are great. My daughter loved the old type writer they have just as you go in (had a good laugh about it as no computer when I was her age), and yes we will be back again… go give it a try sure you will love it.