76 Thistle Street, 0131 226 2230

NEAR Five minutes to Assembly Rooms

7 Old Fishmarket Close, 0131 225 3838

NEAR Five minutes to Edinburgh Festival Theatre

http://www.cafemarlayne.com

The original Café Marlayne on Thistle Street booked up fast so the more recent branch just off the Royal Mile is a welcome addition. French cooking is the background note and it comes through most clearly in dishes such as the boudin noir with seared king scallops and asparagus. More globe-trotting choices might include seared tuna with lime, ginger, chilli, garlic, sesame oil, soy and pak choi. It is all hale and hearty stuff at bistro, rather than restaurant, prices.