The attitude of so many hotels to their dining facilities leaves much to be desired, but here is one which cheerfully acknowledges the wealth of restaurants in Edinburgh and has no hesitation in joining in the competition.

Bisque Bar and Brasserie is open from morning until late every day, the stylish bar serves an all day menu, while the brasserie, which has an AA rosette for food and service quality, offers casual gourmet dining at lunch and dinner in this cool and contemporary styled restaurant.

The food is as thoroughly up to date in style as the surroundings, offering such trendy and delicious sounding starters as peppered tempura squid with lemon mayo or leek and goat's cheese tart with balsamic dressing, with mains like slow braised lamb shank, onion gravy, creamed rosemary mash or breast of chicken filled with haggis, whisky cream sauce, swede and carrot mash.

No wonder that the place tends to be busy and buzzing most of the time.