We'll be in Edinburgh August 15-18 and would like some info on restaurants. We like small, casual, bistro-type places serving<BR>really good food, moderate to expensive.<BR>How difficult is it to get reservations during Festival time? How far in advance can we make them? Thanks for your help.

There are dozens of restuarants like this in Edinburgh, and many are mentioned on here, should you care to search. <BR><BR>Ones I would suggest are<BR><BR>The Marque;<BR>Le Sept;<BR>The Siam Erewan<BR>Viva Mexico <BR>Black Bos (veggy)<BR>and anywhere in the Grassmarket.<BR><BR>No idea about the reservations issue. Sorry<BR>

The Witchery, on the left just below Edinburgh Castle is delightful. It's tucked away, so you have to look for it, but the food is wonderful, moderate to expensive. The leek and spinach tart was superb.

Not to be rude about Lisa's suggestion.<BR><BR>But the Witchery is NOT a "small casual bistro-type place".<BR><BR>It IS expensive. Apart from the wine list (which is to die for)I personally think the place is heavily overdone, although I concede it may work for those with more gothic tastes than I.

I went to Vivo Mexico (if this is the place on Northbridge) in Edinburgh in March. It was awesome. I was very impressed to find such a variety on the menu in Edinburgh. Service is good and the waitress is very suggestive on alternatives if you want to substitute items in a dish. They have good mixed drinks too!

VM is on Cockburn Street.

I went to the Witchery with a group of 19 people last August and everyone thought the food, wine, service and atmosphere was absolutely superb. In fact, we still talk about the food to this day! However, it is expensive (good for special occasions) and I wouldn't call it a samll bistro-style place. The location couldn't be better - we went directly from dinner to the Tatoo at Edinburgh Castle, just a few steps away. Reservations are definitely necessary. The website is www.thewitchery.com.<BR><BR>Another poster mentioned Le Sept. We also ate here - it is a small casual French bistro-style restaurant off of the Royal Mile. We enjoyed the food, and it was reasonable in price.

Forgot to mention in my previous post... Reservations at Le Sept were not necessary during Festival time - we just walked right in. In fact, we didn't have reservations anywhere we ate (except the Witchery). <BR><BR>Even though you'll be there during Festival, I suspect you won't need reservatoins for the more casual restuarants - although it's possible you may have to wait 30-40 minutes for a table, depending on the restaurant and location.

You might try the Cafe Blue (not too sure if that's exactly the name, it's above the Atrium restaurant), Rick's on Frederick Street, Indigo Yards at the West End and Oloroso which is on the top floor, with a great view, of a new building at the corner of Castle Street and George Street. The entrance is on Castle Street. The Atrium is a great restaurant, but really is not a "bistro-type" place. Martin's on Rose Street Lane North is also great and could possibly fit your description. <BR><BR>Good eating!

Thanks to all for your restaurant suggestions. The Witchery, though not casual, sounds like fun before the Tattoo (we already have tix). Le sept looks good and I checked out Rick's menu. Hope their food is as great as their website. Found La P'tite Folie,<BR>also on Frederick Street, owners from Brittany and menu changes daily. Any comments? Thank you all again.