text: Ah ye old half star debate Really I think this place deserves stars definitely not a but not ready for a yet But I want to give it positive vibes as I think that the Birdcage is a fab addition to Musselburgh If you can find it that is Be warned it is off the main drag in a semiindustrial estate it is a converted cotton mill and in the dark an absolute bugger to find first road on the left by the job centre folks I had all but given up when I saw my friend run out of her car so followed her into a pedestrian quadrant where the Birdcage sat nnIts a very modern bar and restaurant serving pretty modern dishes that are really rather unheard of in this town Balsamic roasted beetroot with goats cheese and rocket salad How on earth does that fit in with the local chippy I do not think it does but really honestly and truly not a bad thing Sadly said salad did not have the flavour I was expecting the beetroot and rocket both overpowered by the cheese and the vinegar did not carry over any flavour at all so I was a little disappointed although overall it was a pleasant salad nnMy main was a gnocchi home made by the looks of it with wild mushroom drizzled with truffle oil A little greasy for my liking but I find mushroom dishes to be generally more greasy so you can take that comment with a pinch of salt My friends angus burger and chips looked fabulous and meaty both chips and burger nnWe both went all out with dessert chocolate fondant for her and sticky toffee pudding for me Not something I normally order but damn the flavours were outstanding with toffee and cinammon screaming out Sponge itself was a little dry nnSo you can probably see why this is a star Although the food was good it was not amazing or hit the level of sophistication that this place is striving for However I do not want Birdcage to fail perhaps as it has not been open too long it just needs to stretch its wings out a little more and will improve in time I think that now that I have the option of old mans pub or trendy bar in my hometown as well that I will be definitely back to drink some more here too beats a bus ride into Edinburgh on a dark wintery night