Review: Goose73, a wine and gastro bar on Broughton Street

Goose73 is a new wine bar on Broughton Street, which is a popular area for Edinburgh locals in the know to look for good food and a competitive one.

I had dinner at Goose73 before it was even a week old; the day I had dinner at the bar was the same day they took photographs of their food for social media and publicity. As a result, this review is not of the well-practised and established flow of a settled gastro bar but of one when things are a bit rough, energy is high, and enthusiasm is strong.

Except! I didn’t see any wrinkles, problems or blemishes in the service or the food. Goose73 felt like a wine bar that’s been running for practised ages. My “It’s a new venue” warning is still wise, but it may be unnecessary.

Goose73’s food

I started a debate while in the Goose73 team. Oops. Sorry! “Is Goose73 a wine and tapas bar?” I asked, “Is this Spanish food?”

One thing was clear, “No, it’s more Italian”. They offer cheese boards, salami boards and mixtures therein. There are smaller plates of salt and chilli squid, pate, olives and a range of gourmet bruschetta. 

There’s dessert, too, which means Goose73 is more than just a wine bar with nibbles; that menu has affogatos and tartufos. Ah, here’s a wriggle – the online menu still has the lorem ipsum in place for the descriptions, but I can assure you the printed menu in the bar explains the food clearly. 

The boards are big enough for two, but I had one for myself and easily had room for dessert. That’s not to say I felt the board was small; I’m a big eater, and if I had been there just for post-work drinks and other plans, I’d have happily shared. 

I actually got two boards; one loaded with a variety of breads, all fresh and tasty. The meat was plentiful, topped with the occasional exciting veggie, and I had two types of cheese. Importantly, the bread to cheese/meat ratio worked.

I had one of the affogatos for dessert and an espresso martini to add even more class to my night out. I have to say, Goose73 does feel classy.

Goose73’s vibe

I first popped my head into Goose73 on Wednesday night when it looked empty. I paused outside to snap a photograph of their gorilla (not a goose), read the menu and lingered enough for the diligent staff to notice me and move towards the door to lure me in. I asked about opening hours and discovered they are open until 11 pm. Lovely!

That Wednesday encounter was a good one. I wasn’t expecting a newly opened venue on Broughton Street without a social media presence or any press coverage to have anyone in. Still, I liked the attentiveness of the staff and their willingness to be helpful.

I, as promised, came back the next day and was remembered. That’s a good sign; I like people-person people (even if I’m not one myself!).

At the bar, I discovered without rancour that I had different opinions on controversial subjects to the bartender, started that internal debate as to whether the word ‘tapa’ was appropriate for their food (I don’t think it is; some of the menu is small plates) got a free sample of carnival biscuits from the kitchen and created confusion by asking whether the brand was “Goose 73” or “Goose73”. Hey, if they can cope with me, they can cope with most people – and they managed with me with smiles.

On my Thursday visit, I was at the bar because Goose73’s tables were happily busy. They had a whole backroom spare, but I was glad for the bar where I could plant my solo butt and ask my awkward questions.

Service was quick, although I didn’t order anything hot, but I did get that cocktail which was speedily and well made.

Things to do around Broughton Street

There’s plenty to eat in Broughton Street, and it’s just off the city centre, making it a great starting and ending point for a night out. 

Goose73 is within the St James Centre and John Lewis tennis ball throwing range. It is where you could hit up that upmarket shop with a wedding or anniversary spree in mind and then retire for posh drinks. 

For entertainment, it’s nearly as close to the Edinburgh Playhouse and the National Portrait Gallery, plus many indie galleries as you might find taking part in NT Art Month. 

Transport is also wonderfully easy, with Broughton Street both easy for taxis and near many taxi ranks. It’s by the York Place tram stop and Waverley Station for trains. 

Overall

Upmarket without being posh, classy without being classist and offering good food without being snobby; Goose73 is a good wine bar.

I would gladly take clients to Goose73, quiet friends but not ‘the lads’ (I have no ‘the lads-style’ friends, but you know the type), work mates but perhaps no one I didn’t want to see me eat with my hands. 

There’s nothing cheap on the menu but, thankfully, nothing terribly overpriced on the food menu either, and you’ll find something. The drinks, though, are what they are, and if you go for a rich, obscure wine, then that’ll cost what you would expect. 

Goose73 isn’t one for vegans, but I liked the place!