It’s not every day you find a spot that hits the right note between bustling and comfortable, but Mitchell’s in St Andrews manages just that. Linda and I chose this spot for our latest dining adventure, and the experience was noteworthy.
Walking in, we were greeted with friendly nods and smiles. The service was attentive without being overbearing, allowing us to ease into the evening at our own pace. The menu piqued our interest immediately with its array of inviting options.
Linda went traditional with steak and chips. It’s a dish that many might say tests a kitchen’s mettle, and Mitchell’s passed with flying colours. The steak was rare, just how she likes it — juicy at the centre with a nicely charred exterior. Simple, yet so easily done wrong, and they did it just right.
I, meanwhile, indulged in the meatballs, stuffed with ricotta & parmesan on a bed of creamy polenta. They were a hit; each one was well-seasoned and tender, the kind of dish that has you planning your next visit before you’ve even finished the current one. The chilli loaded fries on the side were a bold choice that paid off — spicy, indeed, but not overwhelmingly so.
The place was humming with energy, a gentle din of satisfied customers and clinking cutlery that only added to the meal’s enjoyment. It wasn’t quiet, but it wasn’t supposed to be — it was alive.
As we dined, the atmosphere was comfortably energetic, a background soundtrack to a meal enjoyed. It’s the sort of ambiance that doesn’t intrude but instead complements the dining experience — a balancing act that Mitchell’s seems to have mastered.
Leaving Mitchell’s, we carried with us the satisfaction of a meal well had and the memory of an evening spent in good company — both ours and the restaurant’s. Mitchell’s struck a chord with us, not just for the food, which was delightful, but for the unobtrusive, genuine service and the vibrant yet relaxed setting.
In St Andrews, where dining options abound, Mitchell’s stands out as a place that doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Its charm is in its subtlety and its ability to deliver a good meal with grace.
