Renowned for serving the best locally sourced and seasonal Scottish produce, The Pompadour Restaurant boasts breathtaking panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street. Residing in the Caledonian Hilton Hotel, The Pompadour offers a luxurious dining experience. Sitting with Edinburgh’s most famous landmark within reach, we were first served some homemade bread, with seven differing, delicious types to choose from. The amuse bouche – a duck croquette with apple sauce and a beetroot purée – did just what its name suggested, leaving me in eager anticipation of the meal ahead. After much deliberation, I opted for pan-seared Isle of Skye scallops with horseradish purée, mustard oil and parsley juice as my starter. Seldom has a steak met, and indeed exceeded, my expectations, but the medium-rare Black Gold fillet main course barely needed a knife, and didn’t last long on my plate.

Following a delicious pre-dessert of citrus chocolate mousse, I opted for a three lemon dessert. This sensational sweet consisted of a lemon creme brulée – a perfect balance of sharp and smooth – a lemon tart, which was subtle and delicate, and a refreshing and velvety lemon ice cream.

The Pompadour is not your typical Edinburgh restaurant, but thankfully that is what sets it apart. A thrilling experience from start to finish, we’ll be talking about our meal for months to come.