Review: 3 Blind Mice, Edinburgh

Things are starting to ramp up in the centre of Edinburgh. We’re a mere week away from the start of the Edinburgh Festivals and the Royal Mile is already teeming with tourists as I weave my way towards the relative calm of Blackfriars Street.

I’m headed for 3 Blind Mice, a traditional wood-fired pizza restaurant that is the brain-child of a trio of friends who have since added to the vibrant dining space with a cosy cocktail bar downstairs. Sadly, The Burrow is closed when I visit on a Tuesday evening but it is cause to return to experience the ever-changing cocktail menu and the Banksy artwork that is hidden within.

The décor at 3 Blind Mice is pleasingly eclectic. I’m immediately struck by the huge photograph by Glasgow-born photographer David Yarrow that hangs pride of place in the restaurant, and there are lots of other artistic gems to discover too. But really I’m here to tell you all about the food, so I’ll crack on with that.

The menu is simple, split into sharing, think olives, bread and charcuterie; pizzas, obvs; dips and salads & sides. The pizzas here are Romana-style and there are some classics on the menu to satisfy the purists. I plump for the aubergine, with a rich tomato sauce, a mild sheep’s ricotta cheese, mozzarella, aubergine that hit that rare spot between mushy and overly crisp and a generous helping of sweet cherry tomatoes (£16.50). My sis chose the other pizza that had been on my radar, the mushroom and porcetta with a creamy porcini base, mozzarella, lots of mushrooms and Italian pork (£16.50). I’d be hard pushed to pick a favourite, but was more than happy to swap a few slices around. The bases were perfectly thin and crispy. Exactly what you’d expect from a wood-fired oven and a great pizza dough.

Choosing from the selection of tempting sides was tougher. Resulting in me being told in that unique way only a sibling can to ‘just pick a side why don’t you!’ Ruffled, I go for the patatas bravas and a heritage tomato salad (both £6.50). As it turned out the decision made under pressure was a great one, The tatties were cut into thick wedges, crisped to perfection and smothered in a tomato and chilli sauce that I can only describe as banging. And just in case that wasn’t enough sauce there’s a lovely wee pot of garlic mayo on the side to cool things down. I do regret not having also chosen the aubergine fries and the burrata which comes with a basil pesto and tomato gazpacho, but I have made my peace with it and pledged to to return and rectify rather than wallow.

The wine list is small but perfectly formed with some lovely Italian options by the glass, carafe or bottle and there are plenty of cocktails available upstairs if the bar isn’t open. My spicy marg could have been spicier and I’d have preferred it to be made with fresh lime, rather than cordial, but there are few places where you can enjoy a cocktail for £10 in the city centre these days, so perhaps I’m expecting too much.

Puddings carry on the Italian influence and I’m delighted to see Seadas on the menu (£6.50). This Sardinian delight sees two semolina pastries filled with pecorino, lemon and orange served with a tart lemon sorbet and drizzled in honey. It’s the perfect summer pud.

The restaurant is full as we venture back out into the throng. Many of the diners are tourists which is hardly a surprise given the location. Situated just off the Royal Mile, in the height of summer, the friendly staff at 3 Blind Mice are unlikely to be twiddling their thumbs. The excellent reviews on Tripadvisor, full tables and diners waiting by the door are a justified reward for the great food and welcoming atmosphere that makes this a really fun place to eat.

3 Blind Mice, 19 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh EH1 1NB, 3blindmicepizza.com.
The Burrow,theburrowbar.com.

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