Element

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

You could easily walk past this tasteful pale green painted building on Rose Street's pedestrian precinct, but it's worth keeping an eye out for this elegant bar with its comfy leather seats, low tables, candles, mirrors and bar stools, all of which make for a very relaxing 'have one more drink' sort of atmosphere. Appetisers are easy to share if you are in a crowd: the attractive mezze plate consists of warm roasted vegetables, hummus and flatbread, but is marred by tasteless broad bean falafels and a beetroot yoghurt dip which is well past its best. The Element platter is another crowd pleaser of mini beef burgers, haggis balls, spring rolls and chicken liver pate on oatcakes. Cullen skink is usually a soup-like consistency, but Element's translates as an excellent smoked haddock and leek crumble. The main menu veers towards comfort food such as macaroni cheese and steak and ale pie. Chicken breast is livened up with spicy, slightly oily discs of chorizo and sauteed potatoes, while gooey mozzarella adds texture to a bland tomato risotto stuffed in two split red peppers. Warm sultana and biscuit brownie is a rich molten chocolatey pud and raspberry, cream and oatmeal parfait comes with warm home-made shortbread.

• High point: Good for a drink and snack in elegant surroundings
• Low point: Not so good for a meal out