Surprising Finds Closer to Home...

So after venturing to neighbourhoods/districts further afield earlier this week, I decided to take things easy today. Did a bit more packing, and took a stroll through South Clerk and Clerk Street.

This is the road I've been taking for months now to school, and I've seen it so often that I'm almost sick of it. Yet despite always being in a rush to get to my lectures (late-riser that I am), I've frequently been surprised by the appearance of 'new' shops along this seemingly all-too-familiar route - it's enough for me to slow down and take a closer look.

Of course these stores aren't new. They've been there all along, but are generally overlooked as I walk briskly past them, head down. However every now and then, some of them suddenly come to light thanks to a casual glimpse or head-turn at just the right moment.

My walk today also surfaced more outlets which have managed to remain hidden for a whole 5 months...

1. Engine Shed Cafe, St Leonard's Lane

Okay fine, so this isn't on Clerk Street but it is situated along St Leonard's road which is just parallel to the former! This is also an alternative route I take to school - favoured, because there are less traffic lights and vehicles, and the road is downward sloping (hehe). At the same time, I've always thought it was a bit of a quiet street with not all that much going on for it.

Took a sidestreet today, and found myself on St Leonard's lane. Walked a little further and found The Engine Shed Cafe.


The second floor houses a cheerful little cafe, which used to be linked to a now demolished railway station (hence the industrial-sounding name). It's a large and airy space with high ceilings, and plenty of windows which flood the place with natural sunlight. The Engine shed cafe offers fuss-free self service dining, canteen style - the menu is written on a blackboard next to the serving counter and includes a host of organic and vegetarian dishes including Moroccan vegetable stew with cous-cous, and home-made hommus dips with oatcakes.

One interesting feature about the Engine Shed Cafe is its commitment to hiring staff with learning difficulties. The cafe aims to train and empower these individuals by giving them work experience, and equipping them with practical and transferable skills. I think it's a good concept, and I would encourage you to come with an open mind, plenty of patience and a big smile for the staff!

I had a large bowl of carrot and coconut soup with a fresh roll - an unusual combination but tasted quite good. To top it off, I ordered a chocolate cake which was really nice! They have quite a selection of sweet treats on the counter including raspberry flapjacks and carrot cakes, some of which are vegan-friendly.

In general, you can come here for nice, healthy and simple meals at reasonable prices (paid 3.50pounds for the entire thing). There's also a bakery on the first floor, which produces a selection of breads, some of which are suitable for yeast or wheat free diets. And finally, the Engine Shed also sells a range of tofus and oatcakes! Mm, vegetarian food has never sounded so good.

2. The Himalaya: Charity Shop and Cafe
South Clerk Street

So this ranks as one of the more unusual charity shops I've seen thus far. You're immediately hit by the cloying smell of incense the moment you enter. The front of the store stocks a host of exotic-looking products including Buddhist prayer beads, hand-made jewelry from Tibet, fine silk scarves and Indian-style cushion covers.

But this is not just a place to pick up quirky Asian curios. The Himalaya also appears to be quite a socially and politically conscious enterprise. According to a sign in the shop, the proceeds go toward a variety of charitable causes which help children in the Himalayan region. The shop also features photographs of the Dalai Lama, and sells a variety of 'Free Tibet' t-shirts.

There's also a cosy sort of cafe round the back, and a basement space where various activities are held including yoga and massage workshops. An interesting place definitely worth checking out!

3. Anteaques, Clerk Street

So there are a handful of stores in Edinburgh which specialize in unusual product pairings. Elvis Shakespeare along Leith walk is one, selling second-hand music and books. And now I've found Anteaques which is closer to home!

It looks utterly quaint. A shop that combines teas and antique furniture/curios! I'm already intrigued.

Sadly, Anteaques only opens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays! (more intriguing) So I haven't managed to go in and have a look around yet. Will pop by tomorrow or the day after, time-willing!


By way of personal reflection, my various new 'discoveries' along the one road in Edinburgh I should be most familiar with has been enlightening. It just goes to show that you can live in a place for a fairly long time, and still be surprised by something new everday. If anything, these past few weeks have taught me to really get off my bum and get out there, and start exploring what's around me.

It's this kind of energy and curiousity which I hope I'll bring back to Singapore. Admittedly, most of my time since growing up has been spent in school, at home or in nearby recreational areas with friends like the mall or the cinema. School holidays usually see me going abroad for vacation with the family; hanging out in the same-ish shopping / eating / drinking districts with friends or just chilling at home. So I guess I can't say confidently that I really know Singapore inside-out.

Edinburgh is about 1/3 the size of Singapore, and I've only just begun to scratch beneath the surface in the past few weeks - and I have to admit, it's only happened because of the amount of free time I have now, and the force with which I'm pushing myself to see things before I leave. And even then, I'm still encountering new things everyday, even in places which I think I've seen enough of.

It really leads me to wonder: at what point does Time stop being an important factor when deciding how well you 'know' a place? Living in Singapore for 21 years, but having a mere fraction of the energy I have now to explore, how much have I left undiscovered in the place I call 'home'?

Food Finds: Curry in a Mosque & Desserts at a Bohemian Cafe

I find it a little surprising that I managed to spend 4 hours in the library today finishing some readings for my Medieval History course. This harkens back to term time, during that dreaded 4-hour interval between my classes. I mostly passed the time cloistered up in the library because the winter weather killed any desire to venture out.

I sandwiched two eating trips between my 4-hour reading marathon. I'm determined to put to the test my current bland perception of food in the UK (outside of London). I'm happy to say that a possible conversion *might* be underway...but we'll see what the following days /weeks bring!

In the meantime, very happy to have sussed out two, relatively inexpensive food stops just a stone's throw away from campus.

First up was lunch at The Mosque Kitchen.

Yes it is literally a mosque, and you can't miss the towering minaret if you're walking along or around Potterow. Don't feel intimidated or uncomfortable if you're not there to worship; just head to the back of the compound and you'll find a cavernous tented dining area. There is a menu of halal curries, kebabs and vegetarian dishes for as low as 3 quid which is really a bargain in Edinburgh.

I ordered a chicken curry rice for 3 pound 50. You get a pretty substantial mound of steaming, fragrant basmati rice and a generous dollop of chicken curry. This meal also lasted me all the way to dinner-time, and even then I was still a little full - they aren't stingy with the rice.

As for the gravy, it is quite mild - spice fans may be disappointed. However the chicken meat is moist, juicy and satisfying. It is also possible to combine the meat with other side dishes I believe, and still fork out about 5 pounds which is relatively good value.

Of course you have to realize that the plastic cutlery, self-service and no-frills dining (outdoor seating, communal tables, plastic chairs) also contribute to the low price. But nevertheless still worth a trip I feel, if you want decent, reasonably-priced food. They also have a vegetarian menu for those interested.

Cheap and good - it's no wonder I saw so many students patronizing the place. But they weren't the only ones either!

So do come down sometime if you're on the look-out for budget-friendly and healthy-sized portions. All your money also goes straight to the Mosque and its various religious/community activities. Doesn't that make you feel good?

Balanced my savoury encounter at the Mosque Kitchen for something sweeter and lighter at The Forest which online 'zines like The Skinny had been raving about. The Forest is located along Bristo Square.

This is certainly one of the most unusual places I've stepped into. The cafe is a dingy-looking but kooky hideaway full of mismatched, second-hand tables and chairs. Food-wise, I just ordered a fruitjuice and brownie (still full of curry) which was not fantastic. The brownie was a bit hard and sweet in a very cloying sort of way. However their regular dishes might be better - they do a wide range of vegetarian meals.

What stands out about this place though, is really...the place itself. The Forest is a non-profit set-up run by volunteers - which might explain the average food. It not only houses a cafe at the back with a stage for live gigs, but also a surprising amount of space in the front, encompassing two whole rooms - one seems to be an extension of the cafe with an assortment of squashy little sofas huddled around small tables. The other room is currently an empty, white-washed space which appears to have multiple uses based on the owner's whims - workshops and exhibitions have been held at The Forest before so I'm assuming that's what the extra space is utilized as.

There are also plenty of random flyers stuck up on the walls advertising everything, including flats for rent. The Forest also seems to have a very liberal policy toward supporting local musicians - any band wishing to play at The Forest can just call ahead to book. Aspiring artists are also allowed to sell their CDs and distribute promotional material to the crowd. A list of gigs for the week is written on a chalkboard within the cafe area. Apart from live bands however the programme also includes other things like film screenings, and the rather unusual sounding "drunken" jazz/opera.

The people themselves also give The Forest a rather eccentric, quirky vibe. Sitting in the cafe, I got the distinct air of being temporally displaced to an earlier era as androgynous hippy-like characters sporting guitars sailed in and were greeted by effusive hugs from the smiling staff. The music was momentarily paused as a proud member of staff announced that 'David,' who had just arrived, had successfully completed his final year exams - news that was greeted by loud applause from the cafe-goers.

You get a very laidback, chilled out vibe at The Forest - anything seems to go here. Just sit back, relax in their poofy sofas, and enjoy the (rather loud) music. You could probably vegetate there for hours, and never feel pressured to leave or order anything. Definitely worth checking out just for the unusual atmosphere.