Sunday Herald - 19th March 2006
Something for the weekend

Why? Because you deserve to be spoiled; because you do comfort on the stylish side; because you like to lounge on large leather sofas; because you love great British food; because you need to be looked after; because you want to be treated like a long-lost friend.

Postcard Potential: Set in an unassuming Edinburgh street near the Meadows, the Borough’s façade confidently but subtly stands out. The smell of fresh flowers follows you inside, where you’re greeted by a cavernous living room of rich leather and light woods. This relaxed Scandinavian feel is all through the hotel, although the odd girder gives a glimpse of the building’s past.

Fabulousness: Okay, it looks slick, feels cool and the staff are friendly and attentive. And it is innovative: want Sunday lunch? Phone your order in a few days in advance and they’ll take care of the rest. Stuck for ideas for your birthday? Be chef for the evening and cook your own dinner, under the tutelage of chef Paul Mundy. In short, any special occasion will be catered for imaginatively.

Gut feelings: Big portions of locally sourced food on an ever-changing menu. The dining room’s warm and intimate, and gets the locals’ vote: it’s booked out at the weekend. Also popular are the bar meals. Like the dinner menu, they’re made by someone who loves food.

The Mail on Sunday magazine - Sunday 23rd April
Coldfinger

Pay attention 007. The classic martini is an icy rush of gin and vermouth – stirred not shaken, as Christopher Bray reveals

Where To Go:

BOROUGH 72-80 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 (0131 668 2255) With its cool mirrored bar this is the ideal place for trying the many martinis on offer here – and, of course for honing your Sean Connery impression. Martinis start at £5.50

CHINA TANG The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London W1 (020 7629 9988) A discreet subterranean hideaway in upmarket Mayfair, this is perfect

BLANCH HOUSE 17 Attlingworth Street, Brighton BN2 (01273 603504) These days, Brighton positively bristles with hipness – and nowhere more so than at the bar of this uber-trendy boutique hotel. Martinis start at £5.50.

The List Eating and Drinking Guide 2006/7
Borough

It’s hard to believe this stylish Soutside boutique hotel was once a snooker hall. It’s had a sever image change since it was first bought five years ago, and trendy dark wood and dangling light globes in the bar make the lager-swilling Paul calf types look completely out of place now.

Last year’s takeover by sister and brother Kym and Jamie Henderson meant further tweaking to the bar and restaurant. A piano player now entertains on Saturday nights, and DJs attract lounge lizards on Fridays.

Deep leather booths in the restaurant look like oversized fairground waltzers and give snug privacy, while bar and restaurant staff gliding between tables are chilled out while remaining on the ball. The menu aspires towards – and achieves – fine dining quality, but incongruously large portions can mean good value too. Fragrant and meaty haggis parcels with Drambuie sauce are almost a meal in themselves, while mackerel pate is a creamy dollop of salty, sea flavour. Fish and vegetables are well represented among the mains, and the a la carte dinner menu features a wide choice of meat options such as venison and game pie, roast partridge and veal cutlet. The banoffee pie with cranachan cream is obviously created by a perfectionist. An all-day breakfast is a tempting offer on Saturdays and Sundays, while hotel guests can enjoy three courses at dinner for a bargain £20.

+ Pretty puddings have real flair
- Desperate Dan portions can seem at odds with more delicate dishes

Evening News Business Section - Thursday 15th September, 2005
Brother and Sister check into hotel for new career

You would be advised not to ask Kym Henderson and her brother Jamie if there could possibly be room for yet another hotel in Edinburgh.

They believe that the market in the Capital is not over-subscribed, and insist that, in their specific case, they have a viable product in a particular part of town ready for what they have in mind. Well, they would say that, bearing in mind that the new owners of Borough in Causewayside on the city’s Southside both know how to “project”.

Both are toe-in-the-water hoteliers. But Kym previously earned her living in advertising and Jamie, 36, was in corporate communications.

Borough, they claim, is one of Edinburgh’s “best- kept secrets”. It would require flashing neon to grab one’s attention on driving past. The place functioned as a snooker hall on both floors before it was acquired privately five years ago and turned into a hotel.

[Read the full article].

THE LIST - Edinburgh & Glasgow Eating & Drinking Guide 2005/2006
Borough

Behind the globe-hung bar of a chic boutique hotel, Borough’s restaurant shoots Barbarella vogue straight from the hip. Lined with intimate round booths in burgundy and turquoise leather, a galaxy of tiny conical lights twinkles from the ceiling, glinting in slinky angled mirrors above a glossy walnut floor.

Paul Munday’s food is no less impressive. There’s linguine and terrine, springbuck and monkfish, snipe and steak. A starter of seared scallops and smoked salmon comes with a handsome lagoon of tomato and coriander reduction. Unusual and refreshing, it’s still nothing compared with the glories of pan-fried pheasant stuffed with apricots as dark and sweet as molasses. Lovely crispy skin falls away from firm, pink flesh: you can practically taste the moorland, while an accompaniment of onion and apple adds spice and the Calvados sauce throws in a few creamy French orchards for good measure.

Strawberry cheesecake is properly thick and cheesy, not too sweet; its fruit fat, fresh and gleaming. There’s plenty for chocoholics too. Book the central tables for a group meal, or huddle up with your inamorata in one of those conch-like booths. Either way, Borough serves kick-ass food in sexy surroundings at fair prices – all day long.

REVIEWER’S REPORT: Tim Kopp, Autumn
Our reviewer stayed at his own expense and updated us.
Hotel Review Scotland

“I arrived at Borough on a Friday evening for a long-planned break to Edinburgh. A lively crowd occupied the lounge and restaurant, clearly enjoying themselves in a busy, relaxed and informal atmosphere. I was met at the reception by one of the staff team, the good-looking Danny, who was throughout the weekend both helpful and kind…something I appreciated as a visitor to Edinburgh (being German and resident in England)

My room, to which I was shown, was on the first level and was as stylish in its own way as was the bar. Comfortable and cosy, the rooms may be found a little small by some but I enjoyed the boutique feel of it all and the theme was consistent.
The hotel is located about fifteen minutes walk from the city centre and in an area which seemed to me quite quiet. I found that being able to return here, and shut the door after the hustle and bustle of the city centre, was a relief.

The comfy bedroom and the bathroom facilities (fabulous shower) had controllable heating and I appreciated that. One of the bedside lamps wasn’t working and I also think a fold-down table or desk would be a boon. That apart, the room was just fine.
Food was of good to excellent quality. I dined from the £15.50 dinner menu. Carrot soup; pink breast of duck with cucumber sauce; German apple strudel with ice cream – the latter so good that a staff member came over and asked me what it was that looked so good. Being German, I know my strudels.

Friendly staff left a positive impression and so much so, indeed, that I have booked a return stay for Hogmanay.