Food prices fit the bill

THE owners of an Edinburgh restaurant are giving customers some food for thought. They have introduced a once-a week ''pay what you like'' night in a bid to increase trade.

A three-course dinner at Sweet Melindas in the Marchmont area of the city would normally cost around #20 but, on a Tuesday evening, the customers, after giving it careful thought, can decide to pay what they think the meal is worth. So far the least a customer has paid has been #7.50 for a dinner which should have cost twice as much.

The restaurant - which specialises in seafood and game and was set up five months ago by Karen McLean and chef Kevin O'Connor - has held the special night for three weeks and the premises have been full each time.