North Bridge Brasserie

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £12 (set lunch)
   £17 (evening meal)
• House wine: £13.50 per bottle

• High point: A chic and stylish attitude not afraid of a little noise
• Low point: Vegetarians may struggle for choice
• Food served: Mon-Thu & Sun noon-2.30pm, 6-10pm; Fri/Sat noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. [Breakfast served Mon-Fri 7—10am; Sat/Sun 8-11am]
• Bar open: Sun-Thu 11am-11pm; Fri/Sat 11am-1am
• Open since: 2001
• Also offers: Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu

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

This review is from the 2007 edition.

The former Scotsman newspaper building has, for some time now, been revamped into one of Edinburgh's premier hotels. It's unsurprising, then, that its brasserie is one of the capital's more bustling places to wine and dine. Bar staff shake cocktails behind the central bar where four imposing marble columns reach their massive way up to the high ceiling. A steel staircase spirals up to a dining gallery, elevating you from the chatter of happy drinkers and into a more intimate setting. Once seated, take your time with the comprehensive wine list and find a drop just to your taste. Classic Scottish staples dominate the food menu, plus an ample selection of fish. Starters are mostly traditional, such as haggis in a ten-year-old malt. The chef does throw in the odd contemporary dish for colour, such as the beetroot tart topped with a disk of warm goat's cheese. An organic Shetland salmon is served plain and crispy with a béarnaise sauce to add to your liking. There are also pies and daily roasts including Beef Wellington, venison and Yorkshire pudding to consolidate North Bridge's British ethos. If you don't mind a pud with your vino, try the yummy Scottish raspberry cranachan.