Clouds & Soil (New Town)

• This is a region of the capital that is chock a block with bars and restaurants of varied styles and cuisines
• One of the area's venues that appears to be in a constant state of reincarnation is the impressive Georgian townhouse at 4 Picardy Place
• Crossing the venue's threshold we were greeted by
• So we popped our heads into the ground floor bar which was certainly stylish
• If not exactly bursting with punters to be directed up the staircase to the first floor
• Grandiose Georgian rooms which have been tastefully decorated in sage green and decked out with oak flooring
• An equally stylish bar area is nestled at one end of this space
• The interior is fantastic with a downstairs bar where you can sit and have a drink if your early or just fancy stopping in for a cocktail
• The restaurant is upstairs and stairs are pretty winding
• The dining room is laid out very well and makes good use of the space without everyone being crammed in
• Overall it was a great night out and we will definitely be back
• It so happened that I hadn't but I was quickly on the scent and how happy I was that there happened to be an itison voucher available at just that time
• The deal was for two starters and two mains for a brilliant price and I definitely felt that there was some serendipity at work
• We didn't get a chance to try it out until well after the fringe had tidied itself away and the dust was beginning to settle
• When we arrived our table wasn't yet ready but we were happy to wait in the ground floor bar area
• The bar was fairly stacked with used glasses
• Doesn't offend me at all but is just testament to the fact that on this particular night the whole place seemed drastically under staffed
• The two waitresses were lovely and attentive throughout the course of the meal
• On this occasion we were both so enamored of the duck dish we both had to go for that
• The roulade filling was delightful and filled with flavor
• The duck was served with roasted veggies and chips
• All of which were perfectly cooked
• An interesting surprise was the addition of jewel like blackberries
• The servers were really lovely and absolutely trying their best
• We both agreed the food was let down by the service
• The service was let down by the management
• Drink selection is good however any time I've been in recently they were out of draft beer
• I had cocktail which is good and the staff is nice
• Something is missing and that is not just the draught beer

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