The Gallery Restaurant and Bar

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• Average price 2 courses:
   £11.95 (set lunch)
   £11.95 (evening meal)
• House wine: £13 per bottle

• High point: Location, location, location
• Low point: Disappointing cheesecake
• Food served: Mon-Sun 11.45am-4pm
• Bar open: Mon-Sun (not Thu) 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-7pm
• Private dining: Rooms can
• Open since: 2004
• 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.

Edinburgh has a lot of good places in which to lunch once you have had your fill of gallery art. Nevertheless, the Gallery Restaurant and Bar at the National just about tops them all and certainly gives good value for money. Overlooking Princes Street gardens, this smart, modern restaurant sits in a fantastic location, not only because it is part of the magnificent extension to the National Gallery of Scotland, but because of its views across to the Scott Monument. The elegant and bright dining room is the ideal place in which to discuss the latest exhibition over lunch and a glass of wine. The menu is modern Scottish: simple concepts using local organic produce, without being too daring or over-imaginative. Starters include fois-gras parfait, which is satisfyingly silky and matched with crunchy brioche. A wild mushroom risotto is creamy and bursting with an earthy flavour. Mains include a pressed belly of pork with champ and a huge lamb shank with a smoky garlic broth. Desserts, such as the trio of trifle, cheesecake and ice-cream don't necessarily live up to their promise, but you can always finish with a coffee or dessert wine instead. The wine list is short, but includes an extensive number of wines by the glass. Perfect for a light lunch.