Jacksons

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £10.50 (set lunch)
   £25 (set dinner) (evening meal)
• House wine: £13.95 (lunch), £13.95 (dinner) per bottle

• High point: Old-fashioned Scottish charm
• Low point: Old-fashioned Scottish food
• Food served: Mon-Thu noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm; Fri/Sat noon-2.30pm, 6-10.45pm; Sun noon-3.30pm, 6-10.30pm
• Private dining: Up to 65 covers
• Open since: 1983
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of menu), Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

In the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town just off the Royal Mile, this busy little dining room has been open for nearly a quarter of a century. Along with locals and regulars, the passing tourists sit comfortably among the walls hung with tapestries and the atmospheric torch lighting. The menu offers a blend of international and traditional Scottish food, incorporating ingredients such as salmon, lamb, venison and haggis - all sourced locally and changing seasonally. The food is safe and perhaps a little uninspired, and there's the choice of a popular set menu (which includes a full vegetarian option) or the à la carte with a range of choices from the Scottish larder. A starter of lobster and langoustine soup and smoked pork with black pudding turns out to be more exciting on paper than on the plate. The stand-out main course of noisettes of Perthshire lamb is satisfyingly pink and set on a bed of earthy wild mushroom and barley risotto. Other meat dishes are less accomplished but have a local charm nonetheless. Desserts include one of the better attempts at a crème brûlée to be found in Edinburgh, with an extra creamy custard under the crunchy top. The wine menu is satisfyingly extensive and, while it can verge on the pricey, there's a drop to suit all tastes.