DINERS will have more chance to sample top cuisine at half price as more of the Capital's leading restaurants join an expanding "meal deal" promotion.

Award-winning eateries La Garrigue and the Stockbridge Restaurant have joined the annual Dine Around Edinburgh scheme, run during the traditionally quiet period after Christmas.

The New Bell, Atrium, the Blue Bar Cafe and Stac Polly have also signed up, joining restaurants like the Caledonian Hilton's Pompadour brasserie and the Malmaison hotel.

Run by VisitScotland and the Edinburgh Restaurateurs' Association (ERA), the promotion – which runs from Monday until February 28, allows diners to try exclusive menus for just £15 a head, saving up to 50 per cent on normal prices.

Organisers have also extended this year's promotion to run for three weeks longer than in previous years.

Joe Durrant, general manager of the Atrium and Blue restaurants, said: "This is the first year we have been involved in this promotion but it is a great idea.

"January and February are usually fairly quiet months for the restaurant industry in Edinburgh, so schemes like this are a great way of getting people to come and sample food in places they would not normally go to at this time of the year."

Restaurateur Malcolm Duck, chairman of the Edinburgh Restaurateurs Association, added: "I am delighted we have so many top quality restaurants on board again this year, and that we have been able to extend the campaign to run for almost two full months."

Last year, the promotion attracted more than 7500 diners and brought in additional income of over £100,000 for the businesses taking part.

WEB LINKS

• www.dinearound-edinburgh.com
• www.qmscotland.co.uk
• VisitScotland
• www.edinburghrestaurants.co.uk