Tag: food and drink

The Scholar Hotel unveils a new culinary destination in the Southside

Following a refurbishment, The University of Edinburgh Hospitality & Events Collection has officially opened The Brasserie at The Scholar – offering a modern take on British cuisine, using the finest locally sourced ingredients.  

Nestled on the edge of Edinburgh’s city centre, the restaurant forms part of The Scholar Hotel and provides a welcome retreat for both guests and locals alike at its tranquil location at the foot of Arthur’s Seat.

The Scholar’s Executive Chef, Ed Fortune, introduces seasonal menus that blend traditional favourites with innovative flavours, showcasing the restaurant’s partnerships with Scottish suppliers.

As spring arrives, guests can savour delicacies like Shetland mussels, Scottish asparagus, and new season raspberries.

Meanwhile, as winter bids farewell, comforting dishes like smoked duck with Stornoway black pudding, roast cauliflower with orange and cavolo nero, and lamb rump with maple bacon, green beans, miso neeps, and tarragon are available.

Classic offerings such as fish and chips, along with a selection of sandwiches and burgers, complete the menu.

For post dinner drinks guests can enjoy a selection of expertly crafted cocktails and mocktails at the hotel’s Lounge Bar, including the Bee’s Knees – a mix of honey, lemon and gin in partnership with Summerhall’s Pickering’s Gin – and classic cocktails with a twist, like Coconut Mojito or Tiramisu Martini.

The extensive wine selection, curated in partnership with Dalgety Bay based wine merchants l’Art du Vin, includes a range of bottles made with passion and integrity by ethical artisan producers.

Gavin MacLennan, Group General Manager – Operations, The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection said: “At The Brasserie we are passionate about seasonal produce and providing our guests the fresh and rich flavours of Scotland throughout the year.

“Moving into spring, we wanted to offer a lighter, brighter menu that captures the very best of British cuisine, collaborating with the finest local suppliers to bring each dish together.

“We look forward to welcoming local residents and visitors to Edinburgh at The Brasserie. There are exciting developments in the works at all of our hotels within the collection and we cannot wait to share them with local community in the coming months.”

For more information, please visit: www.uoecollection.com/hotels/the-scholar/the-brasserie-lounge-bar

Aldi Scotland donates almost 78,000 meals through its partnership with Company Shop Group

Aldi is celebrating a significant milestone in its partnership with surplus food and household products redistributor, Company Shop Group.

In the past year, Britain’s fourth-largest supermarket has now donated an impressive 77,980 meals from its Regional Distribution Centre in Bathgate to people around Scotland, through Company Shop Group, saving an estimated 33 tonnes of food from going to waste.

Community Shop is an award-winning social enterprise that supports 9,000 members and their families in some of the UK’s most deprived communities, by offering access to discounted products and reinvesting the revenue raised into its Community Kitchens and Hubs.

In just one year, the partnership has supported over 2,800 people through its Community Hub development programmes, which provide individuals and communities with the tools they need to live well and the skills to get them back into work.

It has also enabled more than 2,100 people to attend cooking lessons at the Community Kitchen’s Cook Clubs, where they can learn how to prepare nutritious family meals on a budget.

Aldi’s support for Community Shop’s Christmas lunches last year also saw 1,800 members come together for its biggest-ever Christmas celebration, with ingredients for the festive three-course meals provided by the supermarket.

Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “It’s incredible to look back at the results we’ve achieved from just one year with Company Shop Group – from saving tonnes of food from going to waste to supporting thousands of families in need.

“We are committed to making good quality food accessible to everyone. After all, it’s a right, not a privilege.

“We’re very excited to see what lies ahead for the partnership as we get closer to our new goal of reducing food waste in our own operations by 90% before 2030*.”

Gary Stott, Executive Chairman of Community Shop, added: “We are very proud of our partnership with Aldi and its commitment to helping prevent waste and support communities.

“The scheme has helped us deliver a significant social impact, whilst also allowing us to carry out vital work to save the planet from unnecessary waste.”

To find out more about Company Shop, visit: www.companyshopgroup.co.uk/apply-for-membership/company-shop 

*Compared to a baseline year of 2017. Food waste as a percentage of sales – otherwise known as food waste intensity.  

Taste Sense-Asian!

Britain’s largest noodle bar chain is adding two fantastic new flavours to its menu this March

CHOPSTIX, the nation’s favourite noodle bar, has added two hot new tastes to its menu for food fans across the UK.

The chain has added a sweet new special, Apple Spring Rolls, and a sizzling side dish of Salt ‘n’ Pepper Cauli Bites to its roster of tasty treats.

Those with a sweet tooth will want to get their hands on the apple-flavoured offering, a dessert-focused take on the classic Asian dish which pairs crispy spring rolls containing a sweet apple filling with a sweet caramel dipping sauce.

Vegetarians will also be pleased with the new additions, with the addition of crispy coated cauliflower bites dusted with Chopstix famous ‘Salt ‘n’ Pepper’ seasoning.

Both of the brand new options will be available to buy in any of Chopstix 110 stores across the country, including the chain’s latest openings in Lincoln and London Victoria.

Offering fresh flavours and a new spin on the classic takeaway, Chopstix has quickly become one of the UK’s most popular quick service chain restaurants.

As well as classic dishes like Sweet & Sour Chicken and Salt ‘N’ Pepper Chicken, Chopstix has a range of unique tastes including the spicy Firecracker Chicken with a fiery garlic and chili seasoning, and fan favourites like Chicken Katsu Curry and the restaurants signature Caramel Drizzle Chicken.

Rob Burns, Marketing Director for Chopstix, said: “We’re always looking for new flavours to bring to the thousands of Chopstix lovers across the country.

“Both of the two new dishes add something totally different to our menu, giving more options that will really tingle the taste buds for anyone that loves Asian-style cooking.

“New dishes like the Apple Spring Rolls or the Salt ‘n’ Pepper Cauli Bites are why people keep coming back to Chopstix. It’s flavour done right in a way that you just can’t find at any other fast food restaurant.”

The noodle bar’s popular dishes are also available to order from Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat, or through the Chopstix app.

For more information please visit www.chopstixnoodles.co.uk.

March events coming up at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

SIX NATIONS SCREENING EVENT – Saturday 16th of March 

  • Six Nations screening event complete with specialist menu for Super Saturday featuring fancy ‘pub grub’ and classic Rugby tipples including Guinness, Innis & Gunn and specially curated Famous Grouse cocktails
  • Live DJ playing from 13:00 till 19:00 in between game time
  • Venue: Greyfriars Hall
  • Menu includes: Chicken wings with Asian dressing and sweet chilli sauce, Smashed burger with sriracha mayo, Chilli dog, Halloumi sticks and Dirty Fries with truffle Parmesan

 ST PATRICKS DAY EVENT – Sunday 17th March (12:00 till 20:00)

SUPPORT THE MAKERS MARKET – Sunday 24th of March (11:00 till 16:00)

  • Support the Makers is an organisation that supports independent businesses and local makers by giving them a platform to share their creations, with this pop-up market featuring 28 Scottish, artisan makers with unique products on sale
  • Venue: Greyfriars Hall
  • https://supportthemakersuk.com

EASTER BRUNCH – Saturday 30th of March (12:00 till 16:00)

  • Venue: Eve
  • Price: £35 per person all inclusive food
  • Menu includes oysters, fresh prawns, home rolled sushi, cheese & charcuterie board as well as Crispy duck salad with ginger, sesame, orange and soy dressing and Half Scottish Lobster with frites and garlic butter, finished off with a range of desserts
  • Bookings: https://virginhotels.com/edinburgh/entertainment/brunch-with-eve/

AFTERNOON TEA – March (Saturday & Sunday)

  • Delight in the elegance of Afternoon Tea in the enchanting Oculus lounge. A refined experience featuring finely brewed teas paired with exquisite pastries, to elevate weekends with a touch of luxury.
  • Venue: The Oculus Lounge
  • Priced at £35 per person, + £18.50 for a glass of Champagne
  • Bookings: https://virginhotels.com/edinburgh/entertainment/afternoon-tea/

THE CHEF’S TABLE GOES TO GREECE – March (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

  • Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s flagship restaurant, Commons Club, is bringing the authentic tastes of Crete to its Chef’s Table this month as part of a series of experiential dining events that aim to takes guests on an international culinary journey. Exclusively for March, Commons Club restaurant has partnered with Head Chef of authentic Cretan restaurant, 1905, Thanos Christakis, to introduce an exclusive menu featuring traditional Greek delicacies and twists on local home-cooked dishes.
  • Venue: Commons Club
  • Prices starting from £75
  • Bookings: https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/commonsbarrestaurantvhedinburgh?_ga=2.67409363.313945040.1706628600-1315902200.1686665456

Eat Out Edinburgh: March offers

We’re now nearly halfway through March, which means that there are just over two weeks left to take advantage of the fantastic restaurant deals on offer with Eat Out Edinburgh this month.

And with two major celebrations – St Patricks Day and Easter – over the next few weekends, the restaurant festival provides wonderful options to celebrate.

See below for some more information with suggestions on the best places to eat & drink throughout the rest of March in the capital.

St Patricks Day, 17 March

Angels Share: What better day to indulge in a pint of Guinness alongside your Sunday roast? Enjoy 28-day dry aged beef and all the trimmings as a part of the of 20% off a la carte throughout the month of March.

Rarity bottle shop, Bonnie & Wilde: After a filling meal, swap your usual dram for an Irish whisky, with tasting events and meet the maker sessions every weekend of the month.

Auld Hundred: The classic pub is offering 20% off your total bill when booking in advance and quoting ‘EatOutEdinburgh2024‘ – including their signature whisky flights!

Easter Sunday, 31 March

Dean Banks at The Pompadour: Dressed in your Sunday best, head to Easter supper to enjoy a memorable meal in historic surroundings. The fine dining venue is offering a special six course tasting menu for £79 a person this month.

Contini: Enjoy Easter fare the Italian way with decadent pastas or go classic with Borders lamb, with two courses for £25 or three courses for £30 from their set lunch and a la carte menus, with a glass of complimentary Prosecco on arrival.

Duck & Waffle: A specially curated set menu for Eat Out Edinburgh features a multi-course selection of new and signature dishes perfect for Sunday supper, with 2 Courses For £24 or 3 Courses for £29 a person.

Deals from all 40 participating venues are available to book at:

http://www.eatoutedinburgh.com/

Celebrate International Women’s Day at Johnnie Walker Princes Street

Celebrating some of Diageo’s most pioneering women, Johnnie Walker Princes Street is hosting an exclusive Spirited Women Tasting in its Explorers’ Bothy Bar on 8th-10th of March. 

Telling the stories of the influential women who have helped shape the face of Scotch whisky, the tasting features a welcome highball using an exclusive Johnnie Walker Princes Street blend created by Master Blender Emma Walker, and a Johnnie Walker Princes Street Cellar Blend prepared by Master Blender, Aimee Morrison. 

Featured in the tasting session will be the Cardhu 12, 200th anniversary release. Created to celebrate two of the original female whisky trailblazers, Helen and Elizabeth Cumming, this malt is strikingly smooth and characterised by beautiful berry and blackcurrant notes. 

Also making an appearance will be the Singleton of Glen Ord 2022 Special Release for a sweet and spicy fix, and the Dalwhinnie 17, 125th anniversary release which offers a famously spicy and fruity experience with strong vanilla notes. 

Priced at £55 per person, tickets for the event can be purchased online https://www.johnniewalker.com/en-gb/visit-us-princes-street/book-whisky-tasting/#id=spirited-women-an-international-women-s-day-tasting.

As well as the tour, visitors can also enjoy an exclusive 10% discount across the retail store on the day of their tour when they present their ticket.

This offers reduced prices for merchandise and products, including the Bottle Your Own experience, where customers can engrave products with personalised messaging.

The 10% discount is also extended to the 1820 Rooftop Bar, where guests can savour the panoramic views of the Edinburgh skyline with delectable food and drink. 

To check out other Johnnie Walker experiences, and for more information, please visit www.johnniewalkerprincesstreet.com

Mother’s Day with The Eden Mill Experience

The Eden Mill Experience offers three uniquely delicious cocktails and a journey through Eden Mill’s best-selling fruity & floral Love Gin; a new online offer with ‘itison’ makes it the perfect Mother’s Day treat 

Edinburgh’s fun & thriving West End will see adoring gin fans flock to The Eden Mill Experience this Mother’s Day with the brand-new drinks venue announcing a special partnership with itison with deals from just £21. 

The capital’s newest drinks experience, and Eden Mill’s first venue in central Edinburgh, is located in the Heads & Tales Gin Bar at 1A, Rutland Place, EH1 2AD, inviting gin lovers to spoil mum this Mother’s Day with an interactive & immersive mixology experience. 

Eden Mill’s delectably fruity and subtly floral pink Love Gin is available in the ‘Share The Love Gin’ session. During the experience, gin enthusiasts will hear the story of how Love Gin was born and the flavoursome botanicals used to make it.  Guests are whisked through a dreamy experience with three uniquely delicious cocktails, one of which they will learn to mix themselves.

Hannah Ingram, Head of Marketing at Eden Mill, said: “Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for Edinburgh’s gin lovers to treat their mums to a range of inventive & delicious cocktails. Our new experience has received fabulous feedback so far, we are so thrilled to bring a taste of St Andrews to the Scottish capital. 

“The Eden Mill Experience is the perfect opportunity to showcase our wonderful expressions in an interactive and immersive way, and it’s a privilege to bring our brand to a city with such a vibrant drinks scene.”   

‘The Guard Bridge Masterclass’ is also available on Itison for whisky fans; Eden Mill’s blended malt Scotch whisky is can be enjoyed neat or in cocktails, and guests will enjoy a dram and three delicious serves – all expressing the whisky’s sweet, warming tasting notes of sherried fruit and gingerbread. What’s more, one cocktail is “guaranteed to feature an ingredient guests have never tasted before!”. 

Pic Greg Macvean 03/02/2024 Minty Communications – Eden Mill Experience, Edinburgh

The Eden Mill Experience is located in the Heads & Tales Gin Bar at 1A, Rutland Place, EH1 2AD in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End. Offering immersive whisky & gin experiences, bookings are available now via the Eden Mill website and itison.

Leith bar wins national PubAid award

The Dreadnought, Leith, has won an influential award at the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards 2024. 

Owner Roisin Therese was at the ceremony in the Houses of Commons to accept the award for being the best Community Regular Hero pub in Scotland. The award celebrates the work that the pub does to fundraise or support the community. 

The pub saw competition from over 1,000 entries nationwide for the prestigious pub industry awards, now in their fifth year. 

On winning the award, Roisin Therese said: “I am very pleased to accept this award in recognition of the work we have done through the Dreadnought and the Save The Pride Bridge campaign to promote queer visibility and representation.

“Despite the many challenges of running a pub during the last few years, we hope to continue to provide a community hub and to support local causes through our fundraising, food bank and winter clothes collection drives, and engagement with other local organisations. We will continue to provide a safe and inclusive space that celebrates the queer community.”

The pub won because it led the Save the Pride Bridge campaign to help protect a local landmark from being demolished.  The Pride Bridge is a community art project in a public space that is important to local residents. It is painted by a diverse group of locals and has become a renowned LGBTQ landmark, and the first of its kind in Edinburgh.

Des O’Flanagan, co-founder of PubAid, added: “The annual event is always very special for us and all the pubs who made it through to the finals.

“It is wonderful to hear so many stories of Publicans who do so much for their local communities and it’s heart-warming that pubs raise so much money for local and national charities and their regular customers are so generous when the cost of living makes things tough for many people.

“All 1,000 nominations we received are worthy of a congratulations but a special mention needs to be for those who made it through to the finals. The standard or entry this year has been so high that it gave our expert judges some difficult decisions.”

PubAid, which organises the awards in association with Matthew Clark and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, refreshed the awards and created more categories to congratulate more community pubs throughout the UK. There were 33 finalists in total across five categories. 

Blue Ball in England won the Community Support Hero award for its region.

The Botanist set to host Mother’s Day celebrations with Sunday Roast, Live Music and Gifts for Mum

As we move into spring, it’s time to celebrate mums, grandmas and motherly figures for all they do year-round, as the annual celebration of Mother’s Day falls on Sunday 10th March. Offering the perfect opportunity to get the family together, The Botanist is hosting all-day-long celebrations to take care of mum. 

The botany-inspired bar & restaurant’s Sunday roast is perfect for catching up and spending quality time together. Choose between Roast Sirloin of Beef, Pot Roast Lamb Shoulder, Slow Roast Honey Glazed Pork Belly, Roast Chicken or vegan Celeriac, Mushroom and Pearl Barley Wellington, each served with a fluffy Yorkshire pudding and accompanying sauce. The dishes come with maple glazed carrots, roast potatoes, greens and gravy, for the whole table to dig in to.  

Extra sides can also be added to the family feast, including cranberry glazed pigs in blankets, cauliflower cheese with parmesan crumb and creamed cabbage with smoked bacon. 

Showing her just how special she is, every mum dining at The Botanist will receive a complimentary Poppy and Beefeater Pink Gin Punch, as well as a bespoke box of wildflower seeds to plant at home – a gift that keeps on giving. 

Throughout the day, the bar will be offering bottomless drinks for an additional £25 with any main course, so Mum can truly let her hair down. Choose between Bloody Mary, Aperol Spritz, Prosecco or The Botanist Lager and enjoy unlimited drinks for 90 minutes whilst dining. 

As always, The Botanist’s house bands will be providing the soundtrack to the weekend, with live music throughout the afternoon on Mother’s Day. 

Can’t be there in person? Show Mum the love by sending her a gift voucher, bottle of prosecco or bottle of champagne available to purchase online and sent directly to her inbox to be redeemed at The Botanist.  

Free gifts are available whilst stocks last. To find your nearest restaurant and book your table visit https://thebotanist.uk.com.  

Palace of Holyroodhouse launches gin infused with herbs from its historical royal Physic Garden 

A dry gin infused with botanicals grown in the Physic Garden at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish seat of the Royal Family, is now available online and from all shops managed by the Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household. 

The Palace of Holyroodhouse Dry Gin is infused with mint and lemon thyme hand-picked from the Physic Garden for their vibrant flavour. Inspired by the garden’s history of cultivating medicinal and culinary herbs, the botanicals – which are steeped for 24 hours before the distilling process begins – combine with juniper to create a delicately fragrant gin with a complex citrus top note.

The gin pairs beautifully with mediterranean or elderflower tonics to further enhance the refreshing flavours of the herbs. Garnished with fresh mint leaves and a sprig of thyme, it makes an elegant aperitif.

The Physic Garden was opened adjacent to the Palace in 2020 to recreate the earliest known gardens on the site, and can be freely enjoyed year-round by the people of Edinburgh and visitors to the Palace.

Founded in the grounds of the Palace in 1670 by two Scottish physicians, Sir Robert Sibbald and Sir Andrew Balfour, the original garden provided fresh ingredients for pharmacists and allowed students to learn the medicinal properties of plants. It was the first garden of its kind in Scotland and was the forerunner of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Today, visitors to the Physic Garden will see plants such as fennel, lavender, and lemon balm growing. Alongside, a meadow of wildflowers with healing properties evokes the 15th-century monastic gardens of Holyrood Abbey, while 17th-century royal gardens have been reimagined through geometric springtime displays of bulbs including crocuses, tulips, and alliums.  

In a further nod to its historical surroundings, the floral bottle design of the Palace of Holyroodhouse Dry Gin is inspired by the 17th-century Scottish textiles seen on the bed in Mary, Queen of Scots’ Bedchamber inside the Palace. With interlacing leaves, vines, and flowers, the stylised foliage is typical of Jacobean crewelwork, a fashionable type of embroidery from the time.

All profits from sales of the gin go towards the care of, and access to, the Royal Collection through the public opening of the Royal Residences, exhibitions, loans, and educational programmes managed by Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse Dry Gin, 40% abv, can now be purchased from the Royal Collection Trust shops in Edinburgh, London, and Windsor, and from the online shop for £40.00 for a 70cl bottle.