Thai Orchid

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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.

From the welcoming Buddha just inside the front door, to the carefully placed flowers that accompany your starter, Thai Orchid does its utmost to conjure up a sense of the exotic, and despite its proximity to both the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, manages rather well. The décor is modern and simple, with large windows allowing light to spill into the room, and a wall-length mirror adding a sense of space as well as luminescence. The food on offer is rather more sophisticated than the average – a starter of chicken, marinated in whisky and soy sauce and then wrapped in pandan leaves, is beautifully presented and a well-judged balance of crisp, gooey edges and a tender centre. It’s a relatively light appetiser, so if you’re in the mood for something a little more robust, you could try the Tiger Cry – a combination of grilled sirloin, mint, coriander and lime and a fiery, citrus romp of a dish. Desserts are a soothing collection of ice creams, coconut rice and mango or banana and, if you tried the Tiger Cry, something of a blessed relief.

• High point: A rich and varied selection of dishes
• Low point: When asked how spicy you would like your food, err on the side of caution