Santini Edinburgh

Situated on the ground floor of the spa building behind the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Santini is the stable-mate of its namesake on London’s Ebury Street. Opened in 2001, its interior aims for designer chic, while the menus cover all bases from an economical lunch for local office workers via fixed-price options to a full carte. The cooking is a modern take on classic Italian, but with some ambition. A three-course dinner might bring char-grilled squid & pancetta salad, steamed wild sea bass with mixed herbs & balsamic, & a dessert such as mint & basil-infused soup with raspberry sorbet. The pasta selection is interesting (pappardelle with braised rabbit & mushroom ragù, for example), while the pizzas range from familiar to adventurous (try the Montebianco topped with broccoli, red onion jam, Gorgonzola & mozzarella). Wines by the glass from £3.50.