The Ivy on the Square launches a limited-edition Taste of Scotland menu for the festival.

Since opening in 2017, the Ivy on the Square has brought a touch of metropolitan glamour to the capital. Inside this polished brasserie, overlooking St Andrews Square, plush Art Deco interiors mix with nods to Scottish heritage.

Before its Scottish debut, The Ivy in London was famed for its star-studded clientele, with none more iconic than the late Princess Diana. This original Ivy was opened in 1917 in London's West End.

This August, The Ivy on the Square is unveiling a limited-edition “Taste of Scotland” menu, designed to dazzle Fringe Festival visitors, lovers of late summer dining, and anyone with a taste for refined local flavours. Priced at £24.95 for two courses or £30.95 for three, it’s a luxurious experience with a Highland twist. Even a piper periodically serenades us when we visit.

The menu is paired with a curated selection of Scotch whisky-based cocktails, featuring beloved names like Johnnie Walker Black Label, Singleton 12-Year-Old, Talisker 10-Year-Old, and Johnnie Walker Gold Label.

To start, we devoured Oatmeal-Rolled Lathallan Haggis Bon Bons, served with rich malt whisky and wholegrain mustard mayonnaise, and Zucchini Fritti 8.25 with lemon, chilli and mint yogurt. Then I had Twice-Baked Gratinated Cheese Soufflé, made with Strathdon Blue Cheese from Tain - utterly indulgent and irresistible.

For the main course, the Grilled Sea Bass was a standout: served with Shetland mussel orzo and a chorizo minestrone, all brought together with a delicate saffron velouté. The orzo is pure oozy comfort food, making a bed for a very impressive fish.

For dessert, I have the Laphroaig Whisky Crème Brûlée, paired with Perthshire lavender sugar shortbread, flawlessly executed. But next time, I might be tempted by the Golden Cranachan Bombe—a melting chocolate dome filled with vanilla ice cream and raspberries, finished tableside with a warm Scottish heather honey and whisky cream sauce.

Curated to complement the flavours of the Taste of Scotland starters, mains and desserts, the cocktails include the:

• Dundee Spritz, which heroes Johnnie Walker Black Label, with crème de apricot and a tangy Dundee marmalade, with hints of lemon and topped with soda and Prosecco.

• The Cranachan Highball sees Singleton 12-year-old and Talisker 10-year-old whiskies blended with apple and topped with ginger ale.

• The perfect after-dinner tipple, the Caledonian Coffee seamlessly combines Johnnie Walker Gold Label with coffee liqueur, coffee and Caledonian cream.

A selection of Scotch whiskies is available for guests who are looking for something neat, with a splash of water or served long in a highball.

With such a thoughtfully crafted menu, elegant surroundings, warm and attentive service, and an inviting price point, my advice is simple: book now.