The Place has quickly gained a fine reputation as a smart Edinburgh address for leisure or business visitors to the city. At the Scottish Hotel Awards it was named 'Rising Star City hotel” and awarded a Gold medal for high calibre of design: original antique features, bold decor and specially commissioned art.
The Bar is a lively drinking hole for hotel guests and non-residents where cocktails are given a fresh twist, such as the house tipple, No. 36, blending rum with exotic fruits, pomegranate and cherry. Vesper Martini is on the list, invented by Ian Fleming for his superspy, James Bond, who was educated at Fettes School, Edinburgh. Friday Jazz nights each month too to get the weekend started.
The bright, attractive Restaurant, split across two intimate rooms, is furnished in dark, polished wood with fabrics of grey and lime green. The Place is a Hospitality partner with the Playhouse theatre, five minutes walk away, and offers great value Theatre & Accommodation Packages as well as pre-theatre suppers. If you are not rushing out, relax with a choice of Dinner menus.
The modern Scottish cuisine offers inventive seafood, meat, game and vegetarian dishes. A starter of succulent Scallops is served with fresh, tangy sweetcorn salsa. Alternatively, Roast Woodpigeon with puy lentils and spinach is rich and tasty. Next a sublime, pan fried Seabass is perched on top of a lightly curried shellfish broth, stuffed with mussels and prawns - the addition of sweet crunchy fennel is the perfect partner. A sense of fusion too with Lamb Cutlets, jazzed up with cous cous and roast vegetables. To finish, a bitter chocolate and amaretto torte, sticky toffee pudding, or fine cheese from Iain Mellis. From a selection of well-priced wines, we sip a soft, fruity Tempranillo Syrah. ( £ 13.95).
To sum up, friendly service, warm, romantic mood, soft lighting, cool music and real fires. The Place is casual yet classy, whether for a drink, Bar meal or leisurely dinner in the Restaurant.