‘The Dude’ Lebowski had a famously relaxed attitude to life, and now his philosophy has a home in Scotland. Lebowskis in Edinburgh serves cocktails – such as The Dude’s favourite White Russian – with trademark friendly informality, as well as hosting regular live music, quiz nights and bowling. When it comes to the food, they have wisely decided not to pursue the ethos of the film too far, and although the menu itself is full of witty references to the film, it is solidly grounded in quality produce. Chef Andy Keir has based the menu around what is in season and is not afraid to use the specials board to bring his hard-sourced ingredients to the fore. The whiskyinfused smoked salmon I enjoyed as a starter had more in common with the film’s salt-of-the-earth narrator than its eponymous hero, being full of honest flavours and matched with a no-nonsense pickle of golden beetroot, complete with excellent presentation. My partner’s ‘Stornoway stack’ starter of apple, bacon and black pudding was a wonder to behold and even better to eat, while her ‘three-pin split’ main provided a sample from a changing guest-list of free-range local sausages. By the time we’d finished our delicious desserts, we were completely bowled over.