Ondine

booked this restaurant as it's next door to Hotel Missoni, where we were staying, and it's a fish restaurant. Although the restaurant continued the Hotel's cool and chic feel, we found the food didn't live up to its reputation. If you are not into crustacea (there were four lobster dishes on the menu) naped in garlic butter there was little choice of fish. Shellfish platters and fish curry aside the only choices were sea bass or plaice. We both pumped for the sea bass.(I believe farmed), which was average. A meal for 2 cost £150 (thanks largely to an expensive wine list) and I think there are much better alternatives nearby.

We ate at Ondine whilst in Edinburgh on a little honeymoon. It was recommended to us by the lady who ran the guesthouse where we were staying. She said it was a special place and indeed, it was just right for our special Honeymoon meal.

Just after we sat down, two rather stylish businessmen arrived, one having told the other was vegetarian. After looking at the menu, this matter arose. There ensued a conversation where the host, proclaimed, without any malice, ‘…but I though vegetarians ate fish…’ followed by ‘Hang on, …so you dont even eat chicken?!?’. It certainly made us smile. Still, it seemed the guest was happy, as Chef seemingly arraged something just as delicious as the rest of his menu for Mr Vegetarian.

We were booked in for the early sitting, and arrived to see a cool, classy but textured interior and smart, smiling staff. Being on the first floor, with glass throighout gave a lovely light and airy feeling. Throughout the meal had fantastic service, with all the staff knowledgable and attentive, especially the waitress who looked after us. One of us was always going to have the fish soup to begin, and it was delicious being fragrant, creamy and very moreish! My starter the potted shrimp was lovely, and not greasey at all, which can sometimes be its downfall.

My wife had the fish curry which was delicate and flavoured. Different from the asian restaurant version that I'd tried, in that the curry was delicately and beautifully placed on the fish rather than being a stew. I chose the fish of the day, Plaice served with a peperonata, which was fantastic.

It is clear that Corporate Social Responsibiility matters to the establishment, with envelopes for donations to protect the local fishermen on each table. I just wonder if they couldn't go further, and increase the numbers of fish on the menu from sustainable stocks.

We had a terrific meal, with great service. The manager came over at the end, and we were delighted to tell him how much we'd enjoyed our visit. One slight blemish was the length of time it took to get our bill, but overall, this was a very minor point. However, it did stop me giving top marks on the service.

It seems, the awards this restaurant has picked up many awards in its short time, which I'm sure are to be joined by others very soon!