The Atholl at the Howard Hotel

The Howard is a discreet Georgian hotel in Edinburgh’s New Town & the Atholl is its tiny restaurant, seating just 14. Ownership changed hands at the end of 2010 – the venue is now part of a group called the Edinburgh Collection – but that hasn’t changed the Atholl’s status as one of the city’s most romantic places to eat. Its size & elegant period decor have an immediate wow factor, while the food is very much Franco/Scots – witness seared scallops with pork belly, mushy peas & lemon foam or pan-fried fillet of Buccleuch beef with a mustard & herb crust, potato, tomato & Madeira jus. To conclude, rhubarb tart with ginger ice cream offers unfussy satisfaction. A tasting menu is available if you book in advance. Dining here feels like decent value, & the wine list has plenty of bottles at non-scary prices.