Scotch Mist @ Peter's Cellars

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

You might be forgiven for thinking that were in another branch of the Stac Polly enterprise when you enter this basement restaurant. Like Stac Polly, Scotch Mist tries hard to be a traditional Scottish bistro with conspicuous tartan touches both in its décor and menu. The food certainly aims to offer good value, with a number of fixed price menus, including an excellent pre-theatre menu at £9.95 for two courses. Starters such as a crayfish cocktail and a haggis and black pudding tower with whisky cream are both generous and freshly prepared. Mains leave less of an impression, however, due to over-generous use of sauces, but include tender cuts of pork accompanied by apple and Madeira, and lamb cooked pink with minted gravy. Desserts can be a bit hit and miss: changing on a regular basis, they include spotted dick and cherry summer pudding. Not a place among Edinburgh's fine-dining elite but good for bigger parties on a budget.

• High point: Attractive prices
• Low point: Nothing outstanding in the food

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