Majestic Mile

It started out a bit dull and overcast this morning but brightened up around lunchtime. I headed up to the Royal Mile for a wander around, I took this image at the junction of North Bridge and The Mile just as one of the tour buses was going through the junction.

I haven't been up the Royal Mile for a while and I spotted that the Tron Kirk was being used to host a small "craft market" so I popped in. It's rather nice inside and good to see it being used as it is normally closed up and unused most of the year except around the festival when it has been used as a Fringe venue/cafe/bar.

After wandering up and down The Mile for a bit I headed downhill to the Cowgate to investigate OX184 a new bar and grill opened by the same people who own Holyrood 9a, the Red Squirrel and The Southern.

All three of their existing bars are fairly similar in their selection of beers and food (mostly burgers), so I was intrigued as to what this new bar would be like as it's very close to the Holyrood 9a (the other bars are fairly spread out around town). OX184 are specialising in Flame Grilled and smoked food as well as craft beers and Whisky, they also seem to be aiming at the late night drinking/party crowd (it IS in the cowgate after all) as they are open until 3am and serving food until 2:30am.

I was impressed, it very open and airy (almost like a big barn) with modern tables and chairs as well as benches to sit at.Upstairs is a bit more intimate with smaller tables for two and comfy looking booths. They have 12 taps of draught beers available, most of which were Tempest beers as they are their "House Brewery" and had a Meet The Brewer night for the launch a couple days ago.
 
The food is fairly varied with chicken, sausages, pork and even lobster available.  I went for the "House Sausage", which is a large pork and beef sausage "made to their own recipe" and "smoked over applewood", I also had a side order of homemade fries and "burnt end beans" and then I could not resist having a bit of Key Lime Pie for dessert. It WAS all very delicious although not exactly cheap including a pint of beer this totaled £20  

Prices broke down as follows:-
Sausage        -  £7.00
Beans            -  £3.00
Fries               -  £2.00
Key Lime Pie - £4.50
Pint of Beer   -  £3.80

You can see some pictures I took of the bar and my food here.