Amber, Edinburgh (0131 220 0441)

Amber is the restaurant in the Scotch Whisky Experience near Edinburgh Castle. The resto has been making a name for itself for good quality Scottish food so we tried it in May 2010. A short menu – always, I think, a good sign. The whisky connection is very obvious – lots of single malts and whisky cocktails. My pre-dinner drink was an 18-year old Macallan and my wife and daughters all had whisky based cocktails (which were pronounced moreish). For food, I had goats cheese and wild garlic pate to start followed by fillet steak. the steak was perfectly cooked but a bit lacking in flavour – maybe this is just a characteristic of the cut. Very reasonably priced (for a restaurant) Sangiovese wine. Friendly staff and good service – we’d be happy to go back.

Visited May 2010. About £45 each but could have been cheaper if we’d avoided the expensive whisky cocktails.

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J. Baker, York (01904 622688)

Another visit to J. Baker, Bistro Moderne in the centre of York that I found by chance the last time I was in York in November 2009. Food equally good – Crab dumplings with sweetcorn and vanilla sauce  followed by Stone Bass with Asparagus (although tasted much the same as sea bass). Instead of pud, had a remarkable parmesan custard with bacon salad, which was outstanding. Good atmosphere and friendly staff. Highly recommended.

Visited, May 2010. £29 fixed price for 3 courses. Paid about £42 to include a beer, 2 glasses of wine and a coffee.

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Rendezvous@Nargile, Aberdeen (01224 323 700)

Nargile has been established since 1983 and offers Turkish/Mediterranean food. I’m not sure if it is the same people as Nargile in Edinburgh but, if it is, the food is much better here. Started with shared Mezze, which was excellent. Seven different small plates of which the sausage and the Baba Ghanoush (aubergine and garlic dip) was outstanding. We all had kebabs – mine with chicken which was excellent. Rather more expensive than you might expect for this type of restaurant but very good.

Visited, May 2010. Worked out about £30 each including a bottle of OK wine.

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