Tag: food and drink

Divino Wine Bar & Restaurant launches dedicated Wine Tasting Nights for 2023

Edinburgh’s gourmet Italian destination begins monthly events by serving up an array of must try Italian wines

Edinburgh’s award-winning restaurant and wine bar Divino Enoteca will play host to dedicated regional wine tasting nights two Sundays of each month, giving guests unique access to some of the best Italian bottles.

With a new region featured every month, guests can enjoy a welcoming aperitivo, 5 fabulous wines to taste, and some matching nibbles for just £25.

Divino is known for serving the finest Italian cuisine and wine, boasting an impressive assortment of world wines and once voted ‘best wine list,’ the restaurant is the perfect spot for dining and get togethers allowing you to sample, appreciate and indulge in some of the finest wines in Edinburgh.

The wine tasting series will begin starting in the heart of fine Italian wine, Piedmont, on the 19th and 26th of February at 5pm.

In-house wine experts James and Davide will guide guests through this historic region, exploring what makes its wines so special, including the king and queen of Italian reds; Barolo and Barbaresco.

Welcoming you to the wonderful world of wine, Divino will showcase the regions most loved wines moving from Piedmont in February to Sardinia in April, and even encompassing a garden party on the restaurant’s newly renovated patio in June, showcasing some summer favourites.

These nights will pose an unmissable opportunity to compare and discover new favourites this year that will see you all the way into the winter months. 

Divino’s wine tasting schedule includes:

  • February 19th and 26th at  5pm – Piedmont Wines, £25
  • March 12th and 26th, 5pm – Dessert Wines, £25
  • April 16th and 30th, 5pm – Sardinian Wines, £25
  • May 14th and 28th, 5pm -Biodynamic / Natural Wines, £25
  • June 11th and 25th, 5pm -Divino Garden Party! Summer Wines in the Courtyard, £25
  • July 9th and 23rd, 5pm- Producer Showcase, £25
  • September 10th and 24th, 5pm – Super Tuscans, £50
  • October 8th and 22nd, 5pm – Producer Showcase, £25
  • November 19th and 26th, 5pm – Amazing Abruzzo, £25

For each event, the wine tasting will take place from 5pm. Guests will also be able to book to dine a la carte throughout the evenings. 

Guests can book the events directly by choosing a 5pm reservation on the desired date at: https://divinoedinburgh.com/bookings/

Asda announces £15 Valentine’s Day Meal Deal including wine

  • Asda announces its Valentine’s Day Meal Deal, which includes a starter, main, two sides, dessert, and either a bottle of wine or box of chocolates for only £15
  • Asda Rewards app users will also earn £1.50 in their cash pot when picking up the deal, making it even better value
  • Notable new items include the Vegan Mushroom Arancini Hearts, 30-Day Dry Aged Sirloin, Chantaney Carrots with Citrus Yuzu, and Dark Belgian Chocolate Hearts
  • The deal will run online and in-store from 9th until 14th February

This year Asda is pulling out all the stops for those looking to celebrate love with its Valentine’s Day Meal Deal, which includes a starter, main, two sides, dessert, and wine or chocolates for only £15. The deal features 17 all-new options, plus returning favourites and vegan offerings across all courses of the meal – including wine.

For starters, there are five options to choose from. Cheese fans will love the new Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Slow Cooked British Beef, which are baked into small bite-sized cups. For those who fancy something extra indulgent, there’s the Chicken Liver Parfait with Raspberry Jelly, perfect to enjoy with freshly-toasted, thick-cut baguette slices. For plant-based lovers, Asda’s new Vegan Mushroom Arancini Hearts with Truffle Dip delights are sure to set the scene for a romantic evening.

Now, onto the main event with eight options on offer. Standout selections include:

· The 30-Day Dry Aged Sirloin with Smoked Garlic Butter, which has been aged for 30 days for a deeply rich and succulent flavour.
· The Wild & Roast Garlic Stuffed Yorkshire Bred Pork Kiev Cutlets. Topped with a Sicilian lemon, garlic, and herb crumb, this dish is the epitome of excellence.
· The British Duck Breasts with Morello Cherry Sauce, sure to impress any date!

Shoppers can also choose from the Aberdeen Angus Beef Burger with Smokey Bacon & Cheese Heart, Braised British Beef Cheek Parcel with a Creamy Porcini Mushroom & Peppercorn Sauce, Cod Fillet with Samphire & Sicilian Lemon & Marjoram Butter, Plant Based Wellington with Mushroom Duxelle, or Nduja Stuffed Chicken Parcel. Each of the main options come with two servings and contain all relevant sauces and garnishes, so it’s all ready to go.

When it comes to a little something on the side, Asda’s got it covered. For the Valentine’s deal, there are some seasonal offerings on the table, such as the new Chantaney Carrots with Citrus Yuzu – a yummy flavour sure to compliment any main. Another standout option is the all-new Truffle Mac & Cheese, for those looking for something indulgent. Of course, no selection would be complete without sides available from all year round, such as the Triple Cooked Chips and the Dauphinoise Potatoes.

Saving the best until last, the dessert. Take a romantic trip to Italy without leaving the house with the Italian Espresso Tiramisu Cups – intense layers of coffee sauce, mascarpone mousse and coffee-soaked sponge cake, Marsala wine, and a cocoa powder dusting make for the ultimate treat.

As it is Valentine’s Day, shoppers can’t go wrong with heart-shaped chocolate treats: enter the Dark Belgian Chocolate Heart with Raspberry. Dusted in pink shimmer, these chocolates are deluxe delights sure to end the night off on the right note.

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a box of chocolates – or for some, maybe a bottle of wine feels more appropriate this year. Whatever the case, shoppers can round out the meal deal with their choice of either a bottle of wine, such as the Extra Special Malbec Merlot or Extra Special Sauvignon Blanc, or a box of the new Extra Special Chocolates.

Not only has Asda kept the price of its stunning meal deal at £15 this year, but the supermarket has gone one step further: couples get the ultimate date night deal with a free Sky Movies voucher when shopping the meal deal*.

What’s more, shoppers using the Asda Rewards app will earn £1.50 in their cash pot when purchasing the deal, making the dine-in offer even better value for money.

For just £15, Asda’s meal deal means you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner. The deal will run online at www.asda.com and in-store from 9th until 14th February.

Eat Out Edinburgh returns: businesses urged to register now!

Businesses in Edinburgh city centre are being encouraged to note their interest for Eat Out Edinburgh 2023; a tasty restaurant campaign returning to the capital for a second year.

Following the success of the inaugural Eat Out Edinburgh in 2022, Essential Edinburgh – the capital’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID) – has announced that its two-week celebration of all things food, drink and hospitality will be back to help support the wider sector as it slowly recovers from the challenges from the past few years.

The BID comprises those businesses located from St James Quarter to St Andrew Square, to George Street and Princes Street and as far as the Johnnie Walker Whisky Experience. Essential Edinburgh is urging those interested businesses within the BID area to sign up soon, whether they participated in 2022 or would like to be a part of the 2023 campaign for the first time.

Celebrating the best of food, drink and hospitality, and with over 20 participating venues already confirmed, the Eat Out Edinburgh 2023 campaign will run for two weeks from 13th to 26th March.

A bumper list of participating Edinburgh venues will be announced in the coming weeks, promoting special tasting menus, set menus, events and exclusive offers to attract bookings and increased footfall throughout the campaign period.

From business breakfasts to leisurely lunches and evening gatherings over dinner and cocktails, the Eat Out Edinburgh campaign has been designed to bring friends, family and colleagues together whilst helping to support the city’s vibrant hospitality sector.

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive & Director, Essential Edinburgh, said: “Following the success of last year’s campaign, we are bringing back Eat Out Edinburgh for 2023 – with the help of our partner businesses in the hospitality industry, we want it to be bigger and better than 2022.

“This unique celebration of food and drink enables our residents, visitors and office workers to enjoy what’s on offer with special menus, events and offers for city centre workers.

“After the challenges of the past few years, there is a real appetite for people to come and enjoy all that our city centre has to offer. So whether you’re a local, from the wider Lothians region or visiting from further afield, we know there will be something on offer to suit all tastes.”

Business can register interest before Friday 10th February by contacting: 

markfarvis@essentialedinburgh.co.uk

For more information and to keep up to date with the campaign, visit: 

www.EatOutEdinburgh.com and www.EdinburghCityCentre.co.uk

Aldi stores in Edinburgh and Lothians launch Too Good To Go service

Aldi is rolling out its partnership with the world’s largest surplus food platform, Too Good To Go, to all of its stores in Edinburgh and Lothians. 

Following a successful trial last year, the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket is making the surplus food bags available nationwide, in a bid to tackle food waste while also offering even lower prices to customers. 

The ‘Magic Bags’ will contain a range of grocery products that are approaching their sell-by or use-by dates at less than a third of the price, costing just £3.30 each to purchase for at least £10 worth of food.  

To get a Magic Bag, shoppers can download the free Too Good To Go app and search for their nearby Aldi store, before reserving a bag to collect from the store at an allotted time.  

The nationwide roll out is expected to save a further 4,000 tonnes of food from going to waste annually and will form a key part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to cut food waste.   

In addition, all of Aldi’s UK stores in Edinburgh and Lothians will continue to donate surplus food to local causes 365 days of the year. Since 2019, the supermarket has donated more than 30 million meals via its successful partnership with Neighbourly.  

Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said: “Rolling out our partnership with Too Good To Go is another way of allowing us to cut down on food waste, while also offering customers in Edinburgh and Lothians the opportunity to pick up our food at even lower prices. 

“With the rising cost of living impacting so many, Too Good To Go offers a simple and accessible way for consumers to save money and reduce waste.” 

Sophie Trueman, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Too Good To Go, added: “We’re thrilled to be officially launching our partnership with Aldi nationally.

“Having already had fantastic feedback during a successful trial period, I know our​ Too Good To Go​ community in Edinburgh and Lothians is going to jump at the chance to save Aldi Magic Bags​ and prevent even more good food from going to waste​.” 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at The Ivy on the Square Brasserie

Enjoy a romantic set menu and love-inspired cocktails

The Ivy on the Square Brasserie is celebrating the season of love with a romantic set menu and bespoke cocktails available from Friday 10th February to Sunday 19thFebruary, making it the perfect place to spoil a loved one.

After receiving a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne on arrival, guests can choose from a selection of dishes from The Ivy on the Square’s delicious three-course set menu full of culinary delights. 

Priced at £75 per person, to start, diners are invited to enjoy a delicious starter, with options including a Duck Liver Parfait, served with caramelised hazelnuts, truffle, pear, and ginger compote with a toasted brioche, or Laverstoke Park Farm Buffalo Mozzarella served with red chicory, clementine, grapes, candy beetroot, and a spiced vinaigrette. 

Main course options include Lobster Linguine in a tomato and chilli sauce, with vine cherry tomatoes, parsley, and spring onion, and Chargrilled Halloumi with Farro grains, crushed artichoke, hazelnuts, mushrooms, black truffle, and a plant-based sauce. If diners are looking for something even more special, a succulent, grass-fed Fillet of Beef is the perfect choice. 

To finish, those with a sweet tooth can enjoy a sharing dessert perfect for couples or friends. The Raspberry Heart Mille Feuille features decadently layered white chocolate and puff pastry with a warm raspberry sauce, the perfect way to finish a romantic meal. 

Alongside the sumptuous set menu, a duo of cocktails inspired by love will be available, designed to make even the cold-hearted blush. Guests can choose from a Heartbreaker on the Rocks (£12); a blend of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Antica Formula, Cherry Heering, Chocolate wine and a dash of Campari, or a sweet Passion Berry Martini (£11), with Citric Blend, Crème de Fraise, and passion fruit syrup topped with prosecco.

Agata Lubera, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square says: “Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to treat those you love. Whether celebrating with friends, family or loved ones, we hope our guests enjoy our special set-menu and bespoke cocktails this Valentine’s Day.”

The Valentine’s Day Set Menu is available from 10th – 19th February and is priced at £75 per person for three courses and a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. To book a table, please visit TheIvyEdinburgh.com.

Healthy Heart Tip: Healthy Hearty Soups

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Healthy Hearty Soups

Soups are great for lunch or dinner, or even as a snack between meals in a mug. When planned properly, soups can be a healthy, balanced meal and be a great way to increase your intake of vegetables. They’re usually a low cost per portion, great to make in bulk and convenient to warm up in a hurry or take out and about in a flask.

We’ve outlined some tips for building a balanced, nutrient-dense soup below:

Base

A great soup starts with a tasty base. Sautéed onions, celery and garlic make a wonderful starter for most soups.

Next select your stock, homemade is best and the most cost effective as you can make it from leftover meat bones and vegetables. Shop-bought stock cubes can be high in added salt and sugar so if you are using these make sure you choose a low-salt and low-sugar variety or leave it out altogether.

You can use herbs and spices to add depth of flavour.

Carbohydrates

White potatoes, sweet potatoes, wholewheat noodles/pasta, and brown rice are all great options for adding to soup.

They provide a healthy source of carbohydrates to give you the energy you need to fuel your body.

Vegetables

All vegetables work well in soups, try choosing ones you wouldn’t usually eat to increase the variety in your diet.

Butternut squash, parsnips, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli are great options.

Protein

Protein is often forgotten in soups, but it is an important nutrient for growth and repair in the body. It also helps us feel fuller for longer which can help us maintain a healthy weight.

Healthy sources of protein include chicken, turkey, fish and low-fat cheeses. Plant based options such as different varieties of lentils and beans are healthful options, and these are a cheap option for bulking up soups.

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at:

 www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips.

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/.

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-cookbook/.

Brand new £1.6 million bar opens in Edinburgh Airport

 Double the All Bar One fun … Popular bar and restaurant chain, All Bar One has opened up a second site in Edinburgh Airport.

Meaning the existing site, near gate 6, is now joined by a stunning new addition by gate 15. The new £1.6 million venue opened its doors in the airport on Wednesday 28th December, so guests can now enjoy All Bar One favourites at both ends of the airport terminal. 

The new bar seats 200 people, and is open daily from 4am until 9pm serving up breakfast, brunch, cocktails and low & no alcohol drinks! Whatever your next destination, make sure to stop in at All Bar One on the way.

Speaking about the refurbishment, General Manager at All Bar One Edinburgh, Lewis said: “We are very excited to be opening our brand new second All Bar One unit within Edinburgh Airport, offering travellers somewhere exciting to start their holidays.

“Open from 4am every day we have an exciting range of cocktails, beer and wine along with a fantastic Breakfast and Main menu in our stylish bar & restaurant setting.’’ 

Following the significant investment made at All Bar One, new jobs have been created for the local area, with the team now ready to pour pints and serve delicious food to guests. 

For more information about All Bar One please visit:

 https://www.allbarone.co.uk/national-search/scotland-and-northern-ireland/all-bar-one-e dinburgh-airport#/

Edinburgh Castle reveals reimagined Scotch Whisky

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has revealed its refreshed Edinburgh Castle whisky recipe, packaging design and bottle shape, introducing a modern edge to the landmark Scotch. 

Paying homage to the eponymous icon behind the single malt Scotch, the simplified label showcases a sketch of Edinburgh Castle, while allowing the russet-coloured liquid to speak for itself as it shines through the bottle. 

With the updated whisky launching off the back of Burns Night celebrations, HES views this as the perfect opportunity for people to try the Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. 

Natasha Troitino, head of retail at Historic Environment Scotland, which operates Edinburgh Castle, gives a hint of what people can expect from the new liquid: “On the nose, there are a myriad of shortbread biscuit notes with a hint of vanilla essence and honey.

“To taste, there are an abundance of earthy sherry flavours, orange peel with a vanilla, shortbread note, with just a hint of earthiness at the end from time spent in ex-sherry casks.”

In celebration of the launch, HES has also partnered with award-winning Scottish mixologist Sean Cavanagh to create a signature serve using the Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old whisky.

Using Sean’s expertise and flair for flavour, he has identified key ingredients to enhance the flavour profile and tasting notes of the Scotch to deliver a delicious signature serve – 

Edinburgh Castle Single Malt signature serve recipe: 

o   40ml Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old whisky

o   10ml Creme de Banane 

o   5ml Pedro Ximéne

o   25ml lemon juice 

o   10ml honey/agave (if vegan) 

o   1 drop orange blossom water 

o   25ml egg white/ 4 drops vegan foamer (if vegan) 

Simply shake, strain into a glass and garnish with 3 drops of angostura bitters.

Extending the range, the single malt – distilled and bottled in Scotland and exclusively sold at Edinburgh Castle shops and the Stòr online shop – is now also available in three sizes: 5cl (£7.50), 20cl (£24) and 70cl (£56). 

Natasha added: “We’re excited to launch our refreshed product which has completely transformed the look, feel and taste of our whisky, bringing it into 2023 while reflecting the history and heritage of its Scottish roots.

“Whether you try your hand at Sean’s signature cocktail serve or prefer it neat, we hope this brand refresh will both remind connoisseur of the quality of our Scotch and intrigue those new to the category as we invite them to give it a try.” 

The Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is available exclusively online at www.stor.scot and at Edinburgh Castle shops.

Burns Night cocktail recipe crafted by Scottish gin brand Caorunn

Caorunn

For those non whisky drinkers, why not look at some handcrafted, small batch Scottish Gin. Caorunn (pronounced ka-roon) Gin comes from the Gaelic name for Rowan Berry, which grows wild within a 5-minute walk from the distillery.

The Rowan Berry is infused with five other locally foraged botanicals including dandelion leaf, heather, Coul blush apple and bog myrtle along with six traditional gin botanicals and natural Scottish water. Fresh and floral on the nose, this gin is clean, sweet, full-bodied and aromatic with a long-lasting dry and crisp finish. 

Burns Cocktail (Cranachan Cocktail)

35ml Caorunn

15ml Calvados

15ml Honey syrup

15ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice

5 Fresh raspberries

20ml Pasteurised egg white

Top soda

Shake first 6 ingredients and double strain into hi-ball.  Fill glass with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with large cinnamon stick and cinnamon sugar dusting.

When I was looking into Burns Night drinks, I found that a lot of them were very focussed on quite masculine flavours and were generally whisky heavy (writes ELLIE TAYLOR).  

I looked into doing a savoury cocktail to sit alongside the traditional Burns meal but felt as though this was a little bit too obvious and wanted to do something that was a bit more relevant.  

Cranachan came up a lot as the most popular Scottish dessert associated with traditional meals so I thought I would play about with the flavours and ingredients found within that. Rather than using apple as a direct ingredient, I used Calvados (apple brandy) to bring apple into the recipe and also bring additional complexity and depth. Apple and raspberry is a really classic Scottish flavour combination.

This is a drink designed to appeal to a wide audience, to be enjoyed after your traditional Scottish meal and one which stays true to Caorunn.

Is this the world’s most affordable and energy-efficient Burns Supper? 

With inflation sitting at over 9%, the traditional Burns Supper is set to cost consumers more this year, impacting everything from the cost of essential ingredients to energy to cook Scotland’s most famous meal. 

To help families enjoy a cost-effective and energy-efficient Burns Supper, on 25 January 2023, Scotland’s no.1 ready meal brand McIntosh has an inflation-busting homemade Haggis, Neeps & Tatties ‘heat and eat’ chilled meal for just £1.25 (RRP: £1.70).  

Ready to eat after just 4½ minutes in the microwave, McIntosh believes theirs is one of the cheapest, fastest and most energy-efficient chilled Burns Suppers on the planet! Perfect for those watching their wallets as well as the time-poor. 

Throughout January, McIntosh’s popular haggis meal will be available for the special price of £1.25 from leading retailers. At this cost, a family of four can enjoy a Burns Supper for less than a fiver or a single person can ‘hae meat’ and eat for less than a standard single bus fare in Scotland! 

Not only that, with meat and plant-based variations available, McIntosh’s single serve haggis ready meals make it easy for everyone to enjoy a Burns Supper this January, including vegetarians and those partaking in Veganuary! 

McIntosh has been making family-favourites to traditional Scottish recipes for 50 years in Forfar using locally sourced and home-grown ingredients as much as possible. With every meal cooked and chilled within one hour to lock in vital nutrients, consumers can be assured they pack a nutritious punch to boot! Each haggis meal packs in 15.6g of protein and 9.3g of fibre. 

Julie Nisbet, Managing Director of McIntosh says: “With inflation skyrocketing at over 9%, McIntosh wanted to ensure as many families as possible can enjoy a traditional Burns Supper and take part in the annual celebration of our beloved bard, Rabbie Burns. 

“Throughout January our popular Haggis, Neeps & Tatties ready meal is available for a budget-busting £1.25 making it perfect for the many trying to keep costs down amid rising food and energy costs. 

“You won’t find a cheaper, faster, tastier and more energy-efficient chilled haggis supper this January with a cooking time of just over four minutes!” 

McIntosh homemade chilled Haggis, Neeps & Tatties ready meals comprise homemade haggis, British neeps (AKA swede) and Scottish potato mash. Throughout January and ahead of Burns 2023, the haggis meal carries a special price of £1.25 (RRP: £1.70) while stocks last.  

This and other McIntosh family favourites are available at all major supermarkets and convenience stores across Scotland including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and SPAR.  

McIntosh Chilled Haggis, Neeps & Tatties just £1.25 for Burns Night 2023