Each month we chat to a different local in the city to find out their top tips on discovering Edinburgh. This month we caught up with Pam Reichhartinger-Lawlor, a food blogger and Instagrammer who celebrates and explores the art of home bread baking and #slowfood.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Edinburgh has been my home since moving to the UK from Austria over 10 years ago. I love how the city is both compact in size yet vibrant in nature and value its closeness to the rough wilderness of the hills, glens and lochs of Scotland. I guess, you should also know that I’m passionate about #realbread and blog over on The Bread She Bakes. Whether you live in Edinburgh or are just here for a visit, I recommend that you check out some of the many superb neighbourhood bakeries around the city, for example Breadshare in Portobello and Leith, Bakery Andante in Morningside, Falko in Bruntsfield or The Wee Boulangerie on Clerk Street.
What are your favourite places to eat and drink in the city?
My favourite places work with seasonal and local ingredients. I particularly love The Gardener’s Cottage, Edinburgh Larder, Lovage Restaurant and the exceptional dinner events put together by Buck and Birch.
Any little hidden gems in the city you would recommend to visitors?
There are plenty of hidden gems in Edinburgh, but seek out the guys at Alplings who bring traditional cooking from South-Tyrol (including dumplings and Strudel) to Edinburgh. Check their website to find them at a market close to you.
What haven’t you done yet but would like to do?
I can’t believe I missed it again this year but I’d really like to join one of the full moon dinners at the Secret Herb Garden, a beautiful place right next to the Pentlands with great guest chefs coming from restaurants such as Timberyard and Aizle.
Describe your perfect day in Edinburgh!
My perfect day in Edinburgh would be a day of sunshine, with no wind or gusts. I’d get on my bike, cycle through Bruntsfield and The Meadows for a brunch at Earthy Causewayside. I’d spend some time wandering around the Royal Botanic Garden, taking a peek at their immaculate Edible Gardening Project.
I’d then head to Smith & Gertrude for some top notch vino, with a side of matching cheeses, followed by a stroll along the Water of Leith from Stockbridge to Dean Village along the Water of Leith Walkway.
I’d finish my day having dinner at The Ship On The Shore, sampling the delicious seafood Scotland has to offer.
You can follow Pam on Instagram at instagram.com/thebreadshebakes
