Occasionally I just want to kick back whilst someone else cooks delicious food for me. On just such a night Mr Bite and I headed to Compass Bar in Leith where the laidback tunes, soft candlelight and rustic wooden tables all create a vibe as relaxed as if you were curled up on your own sofa.  

As we settled, friendly staff bought us oil, balsamic, bread and water; always nice to have something to nibble on whilst you peruse the menu!

I ordered the chicken liver pate (£4.50) and Mr Bite decided on the smoked salmon, haddock and dill fishcakes with lemon aioli (£4.50). He is becoming a bit of an expert on fishcakes and all those preceding tonight’s offering were immediately relegated. This one oozed fishy aroma and was large, round and plump as a bun. He loved the mix of creamy, smoky flavours and the über - lemony aioli provided piquancy.  Meanwhile I tucked into my pâté which was deep, intense and primal in flavour with a pleasantly grainy texture; plenty of oatcakes, leaves and sweet onion marmalade completed the plate and Mr Bite thought his pint of Black Cuillen from the Isle of Skye complemented the pâté perfectly.

Next I chose a bargain from the specials board; hake fillet with bacon and chive mash and a white wine cream sauce (£8.95) and Mr Bite had the venison pie with green beans and mash (£9.25). My hake was creamy and well seasoned and the balance of flavours on my plate was well considered; salty bacon, silky cream, lemon and oniony chives.  Mr Bite’s plate of food was indulgent but unfortunately the mammoth chunks of meat were in gravy that lacked depth and the mash really needed flavour and seasoning. A shame as it is the only criticism of our evening.

Dessert was two spoons and chocolate truffle with raspberry coulis (£4.25). Dark cocoa flavours, tart scarlet sauce and buttery melt in the mouth texture had us ‘spoon-fencing’.

The Compass Bar has been serving great food for several years now.  Prices have remained very keen and service is good. It has too often been overlooked by eating guides but locals are in the know and it remains very popular; the perfect place fore a weekday supper. (S. Wilson)