Restaurants hoping success is on the menu

SEVERAL restaurants in the Capital are in the running for a national award.

Tom Kitchin is on a four-man shortlist for chef of the year at the Scottish Restaurant Awards and Restaurant Martin Wishart is up for best fine dining restaurant.

They are among 15 Edinburgh restaurants and bars nominated for prizes.

Haymarket-based Chinese restaurant Chop Chop and Rose Street Lane North's Californian-themed restaurant Calistoga are in the running for the best speciality restaurant award.

Other Edinburgh finalists include Cucina and Bella Mbriana, which will compete for the best Italian restaurant category, while Mother India and Central Mosque kitchens will do battle for the Indian prize.

Other candidates include Loon Fung, which is on the shortlist for the best oriental restaurant, and Ondine, which is up for the best seafood restaurant prize.

The event takes place on 22 February at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange.