Dining in Edinburgh - casual fine dining recommendations

[BrendaBlackhead]

Off to Edinburgh for a break after Easter.

Looking for a birthday dinner place for dh. I had a look at The Gardener's Cottage which seemed good but then spotted it was communal tables - aagh!

It is dh and I plus dcs - they are 16 and 11 and like all food.

Hope you can help!

Wedgwood on Canongate (bottom of the Royal Mile). Fine dining but very relaxed.

grainstore on grassmarket or urban angel on hanover street

The brasserie in the Caledonian Hotel is very good. Angels and Bagpipes is nice. The restauraunt in Harvey Nics is ok and has lovely views of the castle. I have heard very, very good things about The Honours.

Edinburgh has loads more lovely places to eat but quite a few of them are a bit more formal. It depends on exactly what you are looking for.

Thanks v much for those! Shall have a look.

Exactly what I am looking for is modern (not super trendy, though, no foam!) very good food in a relaxed setting. Don't like formal dining with starched white napkins and silence and a waiter hovering waiting to fill your glass after every sip. Sooo not relaxing.

I would recommend Timberyard www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186525-d3418358-Reviews-Timberyard-Edinburgh_Scotland.html
or Michael Neave www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186525-d3242778-Reviews-Michael_Neave_s_Kitchen_and_Whisky_Bar-Edinburgh_Scotland.html
or Cafe Cassis (a bit out of the centre of town) www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186525-d2185331-Reviews-Cafe_Cassis-Edinburgh_Scotland.html
All somewhat in the "hidden gem" category and not many locals never mind tourists would know about them.

Bisque in the Bruntsfield Hotel

bisquebrasserie.com/

Second Wedgwood, The Outsider in George IV Bridge, Michael Neave, Ondine

Café St Honore

Thank you. What about The Witchery?

I would not call The Witchery casual. The waiters are a bit aloof. And I didn't feel the food was up to much - we felt like we needed a take away after eating there!

We hated the witchery, poor food, felt like we had to whisper as tables were soooo close, very overated BUT wine list fab!!

Petit Paris in the Grassmarket. Beautiful french food.
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186525-d720297-Reviews-Petit_Paris-Edinburgh_Scotland.html

The Tower is better than the Witchery and with great views of the Castle. If you like steak Kyloe is fantastic. Centrotre on George St also good. Dined at Wedgewood recently and was disappointed.