The Broughton has replaced The Phoenix on the Broughton Street strip.

The new addition adds yet more eating out options to a street which is already packed with great places to eat and drink.

This blogger is biased because he lives nearby but we believe that Broughton Street is one of Edinburgh's finest 'hoods to hang in.

Sort of in the city centre, sort of in the New Town, sort of at the top of Leith Walk, it is easy to get to and, due to good transport links, it is a convenient location from which to travel elsewhere.

It is great for local shops. There is a fine butchers - Crombies; a great fishmonger - Hello Mr Fishy; several barbers/hairdressers; a couple of groceries; a pharmacist; the mighty Artisan Roast takes care of all your caffeine requirements and Rosevear Tea Shop can cater to all your loose leaf tea needs.

We should also mention Soderberg bakery; Villeneuve and Vino bottles shops; several cute gift/card shops...

We could go on for quite some time but you get the picture. For all your day to day wants, Broughton Street will sort you out.

It's also a great street for eating out. Even if we just mention the 5pm restaurants then Smokestack, The Basement, Asti and Fred Berkmiller's excellent L'escargot bleu are all highly recommended.

It's also a great place for a few beers. Or cocktails. From chic wine bars to doughty real ale bars showing the football, it's got the lot.

Bye bye to The Phoenix

For years, The Phoenix was a fixture towards the bottom of Broughton Street. It was always a colourful bar. We can just about remember when it listed strippers as one of its attractions. And that must have been at least two decades ago.

Slightly more recently, it was an interesting place in which to watch the oil and water relationship between loud, well-heeled students from the New Town and some of the more salty locals.

Over the last few years, it has enjoyed mixed fortunes and has been mothballed for months at a time.

Over the last few weeks, thanks to Star Bars and Pubs, it has undergone a complete refurb and has emerged looking rather refined.

Upmarket menu

We never thought we would say this about the premises which once housed The Phoenix but we would even go so far as to say that it looks posh.

If memory serves, the food menu at The Phoenix meant peanuts. Maybe even a toastie.

How things change.

The main menu at the new Broughton bar includes Scottish Borders rump of lamb with potato terrine and piperade; sea bream with cucumber, sesame, pak choi and romanesco sauce plus - I can scarcely believe I'm writing this - a salt-baked carrot served with quinoa, smoked ricotta and hazelnut spice (£16).

There is also a set menu at £14.50 for two courses and £18.50 for three plus Sunday roasts.

We wish The Broughton every success.