Hadrian's

Bearing the Rocco Forte trademark, the Balmoral Hotel is designed in a truly deluxe style with several renowned Edinburgh landmarks right at its doorstep, or as they say 'their doorstep is a landmark'. With a majestic clock tower piercing the city's skyline, this luxury refuge has something for everyone; from the busy business traveller to the holidaymaker looking forward to exploring the surrounding Arthur's Seat, The Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.

The interiors of the individually designed bedrooms and suites are beguiling and themed around natural colour tones and fabrics reflecting their Scottish heritage. Step into the Royal Suite and you will soon realise you don't want to go anywhere, with a fireplace, well stocked in-room bar, double walk-in shower and breathtaking views over the historic old town of Edinburgh, all are sure to evoke a wowed response.

Hadrian's is essentially brasserie style with an informal and buzzy atmosphere, and is situated in The Balmoral, one of Edinburgh's older established hotels; it is the contemporary and chic sister to number one also at The Balmoral.

Its stylish interior has a distinct 1930s Art Deco influence, with walnut floors and a palette of lime plus a splash of African violet. The combination of colours was inspired by the natural landscapes of Edinburgh, taking the Salisbury Crags, sea and sky as influences. While the décor has been given a facelift to underline this venture, fortunately the food certainly reflects it as well. Designed by their Michelin-starred chef Jeff Bland it offers a cosmopolitan menu with a mix of Scottish dishes and innovative European cuisine.

There is an essentially comforting element to brasserie food, not entirely unassociated with its familiarity and all the usual suspects, plus some, are here. Apple, celery and walnut baby gem salad with homemade mayonnaise jostles with roast rib of Scottish beef with Yorkshire puddings, not to say a wide range of pasta and fish dishes, like smoked salmon and fillet of haddock in beer batter with mushy peas and chips.

An à la carte provides the main working menu for Hadrian's, backed up by the prix fixe aimed at providing a good value lunch. From the carte one could expect to find a choice of up to 13 soups, starters and light dishes that invite you to consider pave of foie gras with duck rilette, mussel soup topped with golden pastry, or fettuccine with chilli, tomato and king prawns.

Following the strong inclination to food from the sea we find steamed sea bass with ginger, garlic, sorrel and soy sauce, alongside such traditional dishes as Scottish beef fillet with béarnaise sauce or rib-eye steak with parisienne butter. Vegetables at Hadrian's are different - somebody cares, as demonstrated by cannelloni of wild mushroom, gruyere cheese and baby spinach, a welcome change from those places where dishes whose main constituent, however good, is rendered dreary by sad, limp, uninteresting vegetables.

At dessert time an apple tart tatin with vanilla ice cream will keep you waiting a little longer, in which case a chocolate fondue or banana pannacotta might offer a suitable alternative. The service is professional and friendly. A good wine list will not overstretch you with half bottles starting at £16. Whilst food trends and fads change with the wind, brasserie-style food goes on for ever; long may it last.

Their weekly menu is a great deal that offers two or three delicious courses, along the lines of Coppa Brasola ham with mozzarella and rocket leaves, 6oz rump steak with chips and béarnaise sauce and lemon tart with thyme ice cream, at £14 for two courses and £19 for three.

Hadrian's has also launched a fabulous children's menu. Michelin starred Executive Chef, Jeff Bland has created this with tasty options for children under twelve. This is full of delicious, healthy dishes that parents should approve of, such as 'five a day' seasonal Scottish vegetable soup, fresh Scottish salmon fingers with baby new potatoes and garden salad and Blairgowrie strawberries and vanilla ice cream.

Hadrian's was voted 'Best for Breakfast' by The Scotsman and this lovely breakfast is served from 7 to 10.30 am from Monday to Saturday, and 7.30 to 11 am on a Sunday.

Check out the Website for more details about Hadrian's, the 5 star Balmoral Hotel and its many facilities.