The capital's spice fans are revved up for the recently launched Mera Lahore on Haddington Place.

While most Indian restaurants in the UK are run by Bangladeshis, Mera Lahore is flying the flag for Pakistan's culinary traditions.

The star of the open kitchen is the grill where the chefs will be cooking chicken wings, lamb chops, fish and assorted kebabs. Of course, there is a selection of classic curries.

Where Mera Lahore differs from most of its competitors is the inclusion of menu items such as dahi bary, a curd-based Pakistani street food, and matka ghosht - lamb shank cooked in milk, yoghurt and spices.

There is also a breakfast menu running at the weekend.

The options that really caught this scribbler's eye was the selection of celebration dishes designed for several people.

At Christmas, some families like to prepare a turdurken - a three bird roast comprised of a chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey.

At Mera Lahore, customers can pre-order a dish of quail stuffed with boiled quail egg. The quail is stuffed inside a chicken which is stuffed in a lamb along with spicy biryani rice.

That is a showstopper.

Tipsy Midgie takes flight

Over at St Leonard's, the Tipsy Midgie is a new 'whisky and gin drinkerie' on St Leonard's Hill by Holyrood Distillery.

As well as perfect serve gins, the 30 seat bar serves a wide range of whisky including rare and old drams. Others may prefer the section of the menu that mixes Champagnes and prosecco with gin liqueurs.

We like the sound of the Can and a Dram - a craft brew paired with a whisky.

Tipsy Midgie will also offer a series of weekly events. On Tuesdays, guests can enjoy five distillery edition and unique single malts paired with chocolates from Master Chocolate maker Sebastian Kobelt.

On Thursdays, the bar will play host to Brand Ambassadors, Master Blenders, tour guides, managers and producers who will talk customers through five special drams.

If you like your weekend to end on a high note, then Flight Club Sundays will see dram fans comparing a flight of single cask, discontinued or very limited edition whisky.

Main pic is from Tipsy Midgie Facebook.

Ever had a monkfish Scotch egg?

Just outside of Edinburgh, The Bridge Inn at Ratho has launched Bridge Fifteen. Operating in the evening, Tuesday to Sunday, the menus have been devised by Tyler King whose CV includes Number One in The Balmoral, Castle Terrace and Berlin's Michelin-starred Prism.

The aim is to offer a 'modern Scottish restaurant heavily focused on local, seasonal ingredients and dishes presented in innovative, creative ways'.

On the plate this means main courses such as monkfish with mussel XO, burnt leek, pine nut and vermouth sauce  or a sharing dish of venison Wellington with roast carrot, potato terrine, panko onion rings and venison jus.

Chef King's talents can also be tasted on the pub menu where dishes like the monkfish scotch egg with pickled fennel salad and wasabi mayo rub shoulders with more traditional soup of the day and fish 'n' chips.

We'll be back next Monday with a look at some new Glasgow openings.