January 12th 2025.
To be completely transparent, I have very limited knowledge about Peru. You could probably write down everything I know on a small post-it note and still have enough space to jot down a reminder to buy bread and milk. So, imagine my surprise when Peru seemed to follow me throughout my day. It all started when I dozed off during a screening of Paddington in Peru at the movie theater with my son. And then, to top it off, I had the pleasure of visiting The Bonnington, a local establishment that had recently been taken over by Carlo Carozzi. Some of you may know him as the owner of 'The Peruvian', a successful street food venture at Edinburgh Street Food.
The Bonnington is situated on the corner of Bonnington Road and Newhaven Road in the Leith area. Carlo gave the place a makeover late last year, with a focus on cocktails. The bar now has a cozy cocktail area and a dining room with comfortable booths. They serve small and large plates with a Peruvian influence.
We started our meal with a classic pisco sour. It had been a while since I had one, but the blend of Peruvian grape spirit, lime, sugar, and egg white on the rocks was just what I needed. We enjoyed it with some homemade, salty pork scratchings and pickled mussels on toast while we perused the menu. I'm a big fan of sharing plates, so I was tempted by the salt-baked parsnips with pear, blue cheese, and hazelnuts, as well as the chips with truffle mayo and Isle of Mull Cheddar. However, my dining companion, Mr. B, is not the best at sharing, so we opted for small plate starters – a flavorful coronation fried cauliflower for me and crisp and meaty monkfish cheeks with homemade tartare sauce for him.
As we sipped on our drinks, we debated which of the three large plates to choose from. I decided on the veggie option – a perfectly tender Hokkaido squash and green beans in a fiery Makhani tomato sauce served with a flatbread. Mr. B, on the other hand, went for The Bonnington Cheesesteak sandwich and a generous portion of crispy chips. He couldn't stop nodding in appreciation as he devoured the perfectly tender steak smothered in melted cheese.
After our satisfying meal, we were struggling to decide on dessert. We took a moment to admire our surroundings and take a peek at the bustling cocktail bar. The Bonnington had a diverse crowd on a late Sunday afternoon – young families enjoying food and drinks in the dining area, while a younger crowd kept the bartenders busy in the bar. Carlo is a familiar face in the Edinburgh cocktail scene, having worked at The Voodoo Rooms and Dragonfly. His goal is to make The Bonnington a must-visit destination for cocktail enthusiasts in the city.
We ordered another round of pisco as we contemplated sharing a creamy Meyer Lemon Crème Brulee with homemade shortbread, which would surely make my grandma proud. We left the restaurant wishing it was closer to our home, and dreaming of stopping by for a post-work Pisco to enjoy the friendly staff, delicious food, amazing cocktails, and relaxed atmosphere.
The Bonnington is open seven days a week from noon until midnight, and until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. If you find yourself in the area, be sure to check it out – The Bonnington, 284 Bonnington Road, Edinburgh EH6 5BE, or give them a call at 0131 563 2103. You can also visit their website at thebonningtonleith.com.
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