Open for more than a decade, Blonde has fashioned itself a deserved niche on the ever-changing Edinburgh scene by providing an informal neighbourhood vibe on one of the city’s streets less travelled – by visitors at least. It has two adjoining rooms with simple decor, blonde-wood tables & chairs, & artworks on the walls. Staff are pretty slick, & the menu could bring a warm salad involving Stornoway black pudding, Puy lentils, toasted walnuts & red onion marmalade, ahead of chicken breast stuffed with bacon & mozzarella served on creamy red pesto fettuccine, with a hazelnut meringue nest, fresh strawberries & white chocolate sauce for dessert. Alternatively you can steer clear of the eclecticism & plump for seafood chowder followed by rib-eye steak & chips. The short wine list has house selections from £11.95 (£3.20 a glass).