La Garrigue

A popular & award-winning French restaurant that has built a dedicated following since launching in 2001, La Garrigue specialises in the food of the Languedoc, the home region of chef/proprietor Jean-Michel Gauffre. Hardly any distance from the Royal Mile, the attractive interior has a tidy, rustic feel, & service is just so. A typical dinner could bring a Roquefort soufflé with artichoke salad, before roast rabbit with black pudding, grapes, apples, potatoes & juniper berry dip. To finish, the acclaimed lavender crème brûlée with an almond tuile biscuit still tops the bill. Lunch is good value (£12.50/15.50 for two/three courses) & there is an excellent deal offering a main course plus a glass of wine & coffee for £14.50. The full wine list features some interesting producers from southern France including Mas de Daumas Gassac & organic Domaine de Clovallon; house selections from £4.50 a glass. Other branches are La Garrigue in Leith, 88 Commercial Street; 0131 5535933 & La Garrigue in the New Town, 14 Eyre Place; 0131 5581608.