The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
What if you could have it all? A sense of belonging, elegance, sophistication, and warmth – all in one place. Or pure luxury and homeliness as a perfect balance of the space. Whatever your definition of ‘it all’ is, Paul Kitching’s 21212 has ‘it’.
Paul Kitching’s 21212 is a five-star hotel and an award-winning restaurant in central Edinburgh owned by the renowned chef Paul Kitching and his partner Katie O’Brien. Together the pair has over 60 years of restaurant experience and continue to be leaders in the industry. Located in a Georgian townhouse with gorgeous views of the Northern part of the city, the establishment is full of character and tasteful sophistication.
Moreover, Chef Paul Kitching has been described as ‘a powerhouse of the north’ by Gordon Ramsay himself. Paul Kitching’s 21212 has been open since 2009 and held a Michelin star between 2010 and 2019. Before the big move to Scotland, Paul and Katie ran Juniper, Manchester’s only Michelin-starred restaurant. Ever since its’ opening, the restaurant has been receiving praising reviews, offering guests an elegant fine dining experience. As well as a 38-seat majestic main dining room with an open kitchen, the Georgian townhouse compromises of a drawing room, two private dining rooms and four luxury bedrooms.
As soon as you walk up the stairs and enter the building, you are greeted with the harmony and elevation of High Renaissance inspired art and décor with a modern twist. Imagine Michelangelo and The Sistine Chapel themed grandiosity: the more you observe, the more you notice. At the same time, it almost feels as if you have arrived at a dinner party in someone’s warm and elegant home. While enjoying a glass of bubbly in the drawing room, guests can bask in the quiet views of Edinburgh surrounded by opulent interior design that is felt in each and every room.
Down in the main dining hall, the ceiling is so vast it could comfortably sit a pair of giraffes. While that scenario is unlikely, the fine dining experience is enhanced by the open kitchen where the art of cooking and the hustle and bustle of chef’s expertise can be observed and admired. On the other side of the see-through fence, diners are welcomed with a choice of three, four or a five-course dinner menu with a vegetarian menu option. In fact, the name 21212 comes from a set menu chef Paul Kitching used to do at Juniper on Tuesday nights: two starters, a soup course, two mains, a cheese course and two desserts.
Firstly, the five-course culinary journey started off with an egg-based mousse bouche: the more you taste, the more delicate flavours you discover. Next up was a cheesy barley pudding with taleggio cheese and panko breadcrumbs. The balanced flavours and the warmth of the dish can light up even the grumpiest of faces. A light yet full-bodied spring vegetable soup shortly followed. Topped with a mousse, the flavourful soup was wholesome and inviting, sparking that homely feel.
And for the main event, a perfectly cooked sea trout made an appearance, with a sauce so divine it almost transports you to another dimension. For guests impartial to some cheese, the fourth course is a cheese platter and comes with a wide variety of local and European cheeses that will fire up taste buds one never knew they had. And finally, to go out with a bang, a soft coconut bombe topped with lemon meringue offered a refreshing, yet sweet winning combo.
What is more, the wine list at Paul Kitching’s 21212 is so extensive that even the famous Robert Parker Jr. would be proud. Well thought out to fit every need, the list contains gems, such as the vintage champagne Krug 2006, the Galician Caiño Albino 2019 (Albamar, Rias Baixas), or the Lebanese Château Musar 2000 (Château Musar, Bekaa Valley). Evidently, the fine dining adventure would not be complete without a glass (or three) of a perfect wine pairing.
Thus, the beautiful interior, the atmosphere, the care of the staff, and the colourful food makes Paul Kitching’s 21212 a place to remember and leaves visitors wanting it all, and more. Not only is it a high-end restaurant, but is also worth a visit for the intimate five-star hotel experience as a sophisticated place to stay.
