Pepper

What to say about Pepper? Well, firstly I’m not referring to the seasoning that goes on food.
Pepper is a new bar connected to the restaurant Steak (enter using the same door for those who are confused as there isn’t a sign post for the bar outside, just the restaurant)
This place is top quality and the service you get from the maitre d’ just as soon as you walk through the front door makes you feel like a million dollars (or a million pounds even: P) The gorgeous, classy décor made me feel like I was in down town Chicago but the funky music kept me aware that we are still in this era. The staff make you so feel comfortable but yet important and are very attentive — so much so that they try to take the cocktail glasses before you’ve even finished so be careful and keep an eye on your glass:)
I tried to look on line to find the names of the cocktails that I tried so that I could recommend but there is no website as of yet, therefore I’ll try to describe them…
1) I tried a light and fruity cocktail with a lemon grass straw which was very refreshing but probably the most disappointing of the four as lets be honest here, if you’re spending £7 + on a cocktail you want it to be special right?
2) Next I went for the cocktail that mentions sprinkles of sherbet and it sounded like it would bring back memories of my childhood. I did not expect the sherbet to cover the entire outside of the glass though — stem and all!!! My hands were SO sticky so in a way it did bring back childhood memories but I think they either should stop serving it like this, give you a finger bowl or just put the sherbet around the rim of the glass like they do with salt on margaritas.
3) I then went onto a bourbon cocktail which made promises of smoky flavours. Boy did they deliver! This was served in a glass bottle with a cork and inside you could see the smoke swirling around the bottle — I would have loved to see how this was made!!! This sipped over ice and orange was just a sheer delight. Imagine yourself in a smoking jacket sittting on a leather seat with a cigar, that’s what it made you fee like!
4) Finally the piece de resistance — raspberry cocktail with marshmallow foam. Imagine liquidising a raspberry marshmallow and this is what you get. Truly divine! Don’t dis it until you’ve tried it.
The only thing I’d say about this place is I imagine it would be very pretentious on Friday and Saturday nights. I went on a Thursday which was fine as it was quiet so if that’s not your thing then go for a mid week treat. On the plus side they do have a pool table which makes cocktail hour even more fun and best of all it is free — the only bar in Edinburgh I know where you don’t have to pay!!!