Tag: food and drink

Virgin Hotels announces brand new all day dining and entertainment venue

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh will open its latest concept Eve on 7th October 

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, the luxury lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, announces its latest concept, Eve – an all-day dining space that will provide an array of food, beverages and entertainment. 

The vibrant social space will officially open to the public on 7th October and is set to perfectly complement Edinburgh’s enviable food and drink scene from morning lattes to lights out. For those eager to get ahead of the crowd, reservations can now be made directly on the hotel’s website at www.virginhotels.com/edinburgh/dine-and-drink/eve/. 

To celebrate the launch, Eve will be offering all guests 50% off food for every reservation made from 7th-29th October and will be putting on a variety of live entertainment seven days a week throughout the month. 

Situated at ground floor level, with an entrance from Cowgate, Eve will hold up to 160 guests and is designed to be a playful environment to eat, drink and socialise in the heart of Edinburgh. With performance being at the core of the history of the Virgin brand, Eve will put on a diverse range of events showcasing the best of both Scottish and international culture. 

From exclusive one-off activations that will firmly put Eve on the map to weekly intimate events including ‘Musical Mondays’, ‘On Demand’ and ‘Live & Unsigned’, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. 

Alongside the lively entertainment, guests can order up a storm with a menu perfect for sharing with friends and family on any occasion whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.

The menu caters to all tastes with everything from small plates – including beef brisket croquettes and Scottish salmon crudo – to large plates offering flat iron steak and charcuterie boards as well as a selection of juicy burgers, hearty sandwiches and refreshing salad bowls.   

The interiors of Eve are like no other. The walls are adorned with floor-to-ceiling unique murals specifically curated by award winning Dutch graffiti artists, Studio Giftig, for the venue. Incorporating themes of space exploration, Scottish history, and Virgin legacy, these distinctive artworks create an immersive space that both celebrates and transcends the area’s rich history.  

Opened until late, guests are encouraged to enjoy a post dinner cocktail from a range of bespoke creations all with locality in mind, helping to bring a sense of Scotland into each of the flavours.

From Park Bench Aperitivos such as Strong-Beau, a nod to the nation’s favourite fruity cider, to twists on classic cocktails such as the ‘Pin-Up’, a reimagining of the Pornstar Martini and East 8 Holdup, the cocktail menu brings some nostalgic flavours firmly into the 21st Century. 

Eve is situated within the newly opened Virgin Hotels Edinburgh located in the landmark India Buildings in Edinburgh’s Old Town, a stone’s throw from Edinburgh Castle.

The hotel features 222 Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites and multiple dining and drinking outlets including Eve and Commons Club, all with their own unique space and distinct design. 

The hotel site is home to a 19th century church, known as Greyfriars Hall, that is being beautifully restored and repurposed as a special event venue. In addition, the hotel will offer a rooftop sanctuary with unobstructed Edinburgh Castle views. 

Scott McArdle, General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, commented: “We have already started to see Virgin Hotels Edinburgh come to life over the last few months and Eve is going to add even more flavour to what we already offer.

“This vibrant and lively space will be at the heart of the city’s entertainment with fantastic food, unique cocktails and an array of performances – there really is something for everyone to enjoy.” 

All guests can sign up for the brand-wide guest preferences and loyalty program ‘The Know’, which grants a personalised hotel experience that allows for access to room upgrades, member rates, special events and a complimentary cocktail hour in Commons Club – all when booking directly with Virgin Hotels. 

All Chambers and Suites have integrated tech capabilities, which can control lighting, thermostats, TVs, and order room service directly via the mobile app, Lucy which is exclusively available to Know members.

Lucy also gives guests the ability to check in prior to arrival and can be used as an access key to their Chambers. Chambers are also pet friendly, with complimentary ‘pet-menities’ available, including dog beds and food and water dishes.  

The hotel has been developed and is owned by Flemyn and managed by Virgin Hotels. 

Reservations for the hotel are also open and can be made directly on the hotel’s website www.virginhotels.com/edinburgh.  

Follow along on social media: Instagram @Eveedinburgh, Facebook @Evevhedinburgh  

New cultural exhibition launches at Edinburgh’s Gleneagles Townhouse

Gleneagles Townhouse, the hotel and all-day restaurant in Edinburgh, has launched the latest in its series of unique cultural exhibitions.

Edinburgh-born artist and director David Eustace, in collaboration with The Fine Art Society and Gleneagles Townhouse, presents ‘Memento Mori’ – an exhibition of new work inspired by the perception and inevitability of death – is available to view until 9th October.

Open to members, hotel residents and visitors to The Spence, the venue’s all-day dining restaurant, Eustace’s exhibition follows the success of Gleneagles Townhouse’s first ever photography exhibition in partnership with Soo Burnell, which took place throughout August.

The inspiration for ‘Memento Mori’ dates to 2018, on a visit to Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris with Eustace’s friend and fellow artist, Douglas Gordon. While sitting next to Gertrude Stein’s grave, Eustace collected some leaves in a box which went forgotten until lockdown two years ago.

He began studying decaying plants and flowers and took pictures which then developed into a series. Eustace’s arresting and humbling documentation of decaying flowers serves as a reminder of human’s own immediacy and fragility.

With a diverse background, Eustace began his career serving in the Royal Navy and worked as a Prison Officer at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow. Returning to education he graduated in 1991 and became a masthead contributor to Conde Nast Publications (GQ, Vogue and Tatler).

He has travelled extensively through-out his career and for 15 years was primarily based in NYC. In 2015 Eustace accepted the responsibility of Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, a post he held for six years.

His work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally and is included in both private and public collections. Eustace was the first photographic artist to have an exhibition in The Scottish Gallery’s 173-history.

His commercial and personal work often go hand in hand, highlighted by Panasonic when Eustace was approached to star in their global Lumix campaign based around his work and commentary. 

He has created campaigns for global clients including Paramount Pictures, Sony, Anthropologie. He also serves as a creative consultant for several companies including recently writing and directing the ‘Precious Time’ campaign for Balblair whisky.

Gleneagles Townhouse said: “David’s work is much admired all around the world, so it is a privilege for us to be showcasing his latest exhibition from our new Edinburgh Townhouse.

“From our early discussions around Townhouse, we knew we wanted to create a series of ongoing events which would showcase the diverse talent on our doorstep to our visitors – whether they were local or from further afield – and we’re thrilled David has joined us on the journey.”

gleneaglestownhouse.com

M & S Ocean Terminal store to close

Marks and Spencer is to close it’s food store in Ocean Terminal. The store will close before the end of the year, but the company insists ‘the vast majority’ of Leith staff will be offered new jobs other M & S stores.

Scott Munro, M&S’s regional manager for the east of Scotland, said: “Shopping habits are changing and we’re reshaping our store estate across Scotland and the UK to make sure we’re reflecting the needs of our customers.

“As part of this transformation, we have today announced to colleagues our decision to close the M&S Ocean Terminal store at Ocean Terminal later this year.

“Our priority is to support our colleagues through these changes and we are confident of being able to offer new roles to the vast majority of those affected.

“We are committed to Edinburgh and this decision means there are more opportunities to invest in our eight other stores across the city.”

A spokesperson for Ocean Terminal said:  “Proposals by M&S to downsize its portfolio of stores across the UK have been well known for some time. Owing to the changing direction of M&S’s business needs, they have taken the decision not to renew their lease at Ocean Terminal. We wish them well for the future.  

“But their decision does not impact on our plans. Instead, it has allowed us to actively pursue a range of opportunities for partnership with alternative food retailers as part of ongoing plans to reconfigure Ocean Terminal and shape the ongoing transformation of the centre and its important waterfront location.” 

Responding to news of the closure of the Marks & Spencer store in Ocean Terminal, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “I was shocked to find out today that the M&S store in Ocean Terminal is set for closure with the loss of a number of jobs. This could be the death knell for Ocean Terminal.

“Marks & Spencer is one of Ocean Terminal’s remaining flagship outlets for the area.

“With the tram set to arrive before long, I fear that this is a short-term decision that will damage Leith in the long-term.

“I will be writing to Marks & Spencer to seek a meeting to urgently review this decision.”

Colony of Artists holds 17th Arts Festival this weekend

ABBEYHILL 17 & 18th SEPTEMBER 11am – 6pm

What are you up to this weekend? Come along to our 17th annual arts and music festival!

Over 75 artists, from a huge variety of disciplines, will throw open doors to their homes & gardens over the weekend – so lots to see and discover … also visit our Campervan Brewery pop up bar, chow down food from @The Safari Lounge & listen to live music at the Hive!

Best before dates, use by dates and sniff test – what do they mean?

Major supermarkets are scrapping best before dates and encouraging shoppers to use the ‘sniff test’ instead, but what do all of these terms really mean?

Penny pinching pros at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have shared their advice on what the difference between ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates are and the importance of the new sniff test.

With some major supermarkets removing the ‘use by’ labels on bottles of milk, shoppers are being encouraged to use the sniff test rather than chucking away expired food which is still safe to eat.

This is causing concern to those who are not aware of the labelling differences and are worried about consuming expired goods.

The change is being brought in by supermarkets in an attempt to tackle food waste following news of further food price increases for everyday essentials like dairy and vegetables.

When an item passes its best before date, it is not necessarily ‘out of date’ so Brits shouldn’t be too worried about this change.

In fact, this date is just a guideline for quality and freshness. It’s typically added by manufacturers and after this date has passed, the ‘best taste’ has gone.

Mitch Barnes, online consumer expert at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “With the cost-of-living soaring, selected supermarkets are adapting their product labelling by removing the best before label.

“While it can massively help with food wastage problems, it can be quite confusing to suss out when they need to be used by and how people can tell if a food has gone off at home.

“We’re advising people to check the remaining labels and to use the sniff test at home to save the extra pennies on a weekly food shop bill.”

Here are NetVoucherCodes.co.uk’s top tips explaining the importance of different expiry date meanings:

Best before dates

Most labels have the best before dates on the packaging, usually two or three days before the use-by dates – this is usually put on by manufacturers. Once you’ve passed the use-by date, it doesn’t necessarily mean the product is inedible, but it’ll just lack the freshness it once had and it will essentially lose its ‘best taste’.

While they may be lacking in taste and texture, they’re still safe to eat for a limited time and can help to save extra cash during a food shop.

Use by dates

Use by dates are often confused with Best Before dates. The labelled use-by date on a product is a recommended time for how long you should use a product by.

Meat and fish products should not be consumed after the ‘use by’ date as there is a high chance that you’ll get food poisoning if you do. What you can do is freeze the meat before the expiry date for as long as nine months if it’s raw chicken.

Sniff test

This is the system being steadily introduced into supermarkets. If a milk carton was previously labelled as ‘best before 12 Sep 2022’, it’s likely to still have a few days of safe consumption afterwards.

You’ll be able to tell if your milk is off by the foul smell, so make sure to just give it the test instead of spending a fortune buying a fresh carton each time it goes beyond the labelled best before date.

El Perro Negro is set to add some Spanish flavour to the capital with tasty collaboration

This month, speciality Spanish wholesaler Brindisa are coming to Edinburgh as part of an exclusive tapas takeover with El Perro Negro at Bonnie & Wild. 

Celebrating artisan and authentic Spanish products, and of course, Iberian burgers, Bonnie & Wild in the St James Quarter, will play host to award-winning El Perro Negro and Brindisa, for an evening of delicious feasting on Wednesday 28th September..

Following on from the success of El Perro Negro’s ‘The Spaniard’ collaboration burger with Brindisa – which had Iberian beef,  marrow butter, San Simon cheese, sobrasada, confit garlic mayo and chimichurri, the award-winning burger supremos decided to take the partnership one step further with a night completely dedicated to Spanish cooking and culture. 

Foodie fans will love the tapas sharing feast with the menu offering an array of dishes with three standout Spanish burgers, including; Iberico pork cheek finished in a Pedro Ximenez glaze, pickled shallots and truffle mayo; Presa Iberico, chimichurri, confit garlic mayo and Galician beef with smoked hollandaise.  

Sharing dishes on the menu are authentic, premium and delicious. They include speciality Iberico croquetas;  smoked Nardin anchovies, Navarrico piquillo peppers on charred sourdough and olive oil drizzle; mouth-watering chorizo cooked in cider with chickpeas finished with PX vinegar and speciality Spanish charcuterie and cheeses. 

The evening will be served family-style to reflect the Spanish culture of bringing people together over great food and wine. 

Nick Watkins, co-founder of El Perro Negro, explains: “As well as being purveyors of imported Spanish fine foods like charcuterie, artisan cheeses and olive oils, Brindisa has two shops in London and five restaurants including one in foodie haven, Borough Market. 

Gayle Swan, Brindisa regional manager for Scotland, said: “This collaboration marks a new direction for Brindisa. We have an incredible base in London, and this evening gives us a chance to showcase the quality and diversity of Spanish products that we offer.” 

The El Perro Negro x Brindisa Tapas Takeover takes place at Bonnie & Wild on Wednesday 28th September with two sittings available at 5.30pm and 8.00pm. 

The event is priced at £55pp (+booking fee) and includes three Spanish sliders each and seven dishes to share between two. With carefully curated Spanish drinks pairing menu options. Guests can choose between Spanish wines or Spanish inspired non-alcoholic cocktails to compliment their meal.

Places are limited and expected to sell out very quickly. Buy tickets and secure a place online HERE.

For more information follow on social: @elperronegroburgers.

Food Festival returns to Dalkeith Country Park next weekend

The Great British Food Festival is back this year at the lovely Dalkeith Country Park on the weekend of the 10th & 11th September and it promises to be a fantastic foodie weekend.

Over 75 different traders will be in attendance, amongst them artisan food producers and award winning street food stalls.

Along with wonderful food and drink producers there will be a great line up of local bands, fantastic chef demos, foodie talks, man vs food competitions and a bake stage.

Dan Maycock, one of the organisers said ‘We have got a great mix of local Scottish produce and some coming from further afield. On the hot food front you will be able to try anything from traditional hog roast to Indian and Thai dishes, so hopefully something for all tastes!’

The Chef Demo stage hosts great local chefs and Instagram stars cooking up their favourite dishes and sharing tips, with five demos taking place each day.

One of the highlights is the ‘Great British Cake Off’, where amateur bakers compete head to head in two baking categories (see www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com for details and to enter), and best of all, if you enter a cake you get free entry to the festival!

There is entertainment for all the family over the weekend, including kid’s cookery lessons, free circus skills, and live music. The perfect recipe for a fun, foodie day out for the whole family. See www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com for advanced tickets.

McKirdy’s Steakhouse is on the market

A popular Edinburgh city centre steakhouse has been brought to market by DM Hall, one of Scotland’s leading firms of chartered surveyors, as a result of the owner’s impending retirement.

McKirdy’s Steakhouse, located at 151-155 Morrison Street, and close to Haymarket and Edinburgh’s economic hub, has traded for 24 years.

Offers over £450,000 are invited for the business which is supplied by McKirdy Butchers, which has been active in Edinburgh and East Lothian since 1895.

Morrison Street, a busy one-way thoroughfare which connects Lothian Road with Haymarket Terrace/West Maitland Street, carries a substantial volume of traffic on a daily basis being one of the main arterial routes out of the City Centre towards the West.

The area is mixed residential and commercial in nature and adjacent to it there are a number of other restaurants and public houses. The Edinburgh International Conference Centre and various hotels are located a short walk from the premises.

McKirdy’s Steakhouse, which has recently been re-furbished, is arranged over the ground floor. The frontage incorporates large display windows providing good natural light to the restaurant.

The restaurant business, which has a reputation for the very highest quality meat available and trades from Wednesday to Sunday, is reluctantly being brought to the market as a result of retirement, its success is reflected in its profitability.

Margaret Mitchell of DM Hall who is overseeing the marketing process, said: “This is a great opportunity to acquire a successful, busy and readily managed restaurant with an established reputation.

“Its location, on the edge of the soon to be completed Haymarket Edinburgh development, an impressive £350m mixed-use development which will include hotels, retail space and offices will bring further investment and buzz to the area. As a result, any future owner will benefit significantly.

“Our client is seeking offers over £450,000 including goodwill, fixtures and fittings. Trading accounts are available upon request to seriously interested parties. Viewing is strictly by appointment and arrangements can be made by contacting me, Margaret Mitchell MRICS, Surveyor, on 07919574184 or Margaret.mitchell@dmhall.co.uk.”

With 24 offices and over 250 members of staff including 24 Partners, DM Hall this year celebrates 125 years since its foundation in 1897.

Aldi donates 8890 meals to Edinburgh charities over school summer holidays

Aldi supported charities in Edinburgh during the school summer holidays by donating more than 8,800 meals to people in need. 

The supermarket paired its stores up with local charities, foodbanks and community groups via community giving platform Neighbourly to donate surplus food to good causes.      

Since the partnership with Neighbourly began in 2019, Aldi’s UK stores have already donated more than 25 million meals to over 3,600 local causes.     

Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said: “Our food donations scheme with Neighbourly operates year-round, but we know that school holidays are a particularly hard time for families, especially as many continue to experience greater hardship due to the cost-of-living crisis.     

“This is why we committed to supporting even more amazing causes in Edinburgh over the school holidays, helping them to provide meals to those who needed them most.”    

Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, added: “School holidays are often a time when demand on charities and foodbanks drastically increases, particularly during summer when children are at home for six weeks or more.

“This push in donations from Aldi was therefore essential in helping these organisations support families during this time.”  

Andrew Fairlie Scholarship seeks aspiring chefs in Scotland

Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has announced that the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is again seeking applications from aspiring chefs working in Scotland. Eligible applicants can find out more information by visiting https://hitscotland.co.uk/scholarships

Positioned as the ultimate scholarship that any aspiring chef in Scotland could receive, the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for any chef looking to grow their knowledge and gain experience within renowned establishments.

Sponsored by HIT Scotland and The Gleneagles Hotel, and supported by Restaurant Andrew Fairlie and Perth College UHI, the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is now in its 3rd year.  The scholarship launched in 2019, with the late Andrew Fairlie spearheading the initiative in partnership with HIT Scotland – an industry charity he was closely associated with.

The recipient will gain industry-wide recognition as an Andrew Fairlie Scholar and experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to continue their culinary education, such as a practical stage at 2 Michelin star Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, and 3-star restaurant Core by Clare Smyth in London.

Last year, two scholarships were awarded to Josh Wilkinson and Amy Stephenson.

The judges include some of the country’s finest chefs, who all knew Andrew Fairlie well.  Joining Stephen McLaughlin, Head Chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, is fellow 2 Michelin starred chef Tom Kerridge, Masterchef winner and National Chef of Scotland, Gary McLean, Lorna McNee, 1 star Head Chef at Cail Bruich, and Andrew’s former mentor Keith Podmore.

Stephen McLaughlin, Head Chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, said: “I’m delighted that we are starting the search for another Andrew Fairlie scholar, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Scotland’s future stars have to offer this year.

“I’m excited to see what the applicants design as their dish to be cooked if they make the Final skills test.  We’ve put some conditions on what that should include, but we want the chefs to use their knowledge and creativity to come up with something to showcase their personality, and impress us.

“The Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for chefs that want to push themselves to be the best they can be, to learn from and be inspired by other talented chefs, and to continue their personal development in this industry that we love.”

To apply, potential candidates will complete an online application exploring their thoughts on why they’d like to win this scholarship, their hopes for their future career as a chef, and who in the industry has recently inspired them. 

They will have to show their knowledge and creativity by creating a dish to be cooked and served on Finals Day in November, using their choice of wild furred Scottish game in season, with 2 garnishes (1 must include fruit), accompanied by a poivrade sauce.  From this, up to 6 chefs will be chosen to take part in the Grand Final in November.

The finalists will take part in a skills test at Perth College UHI which will focus on their skills, knowledge, and creativity, with the winner showing the right mix of personality and professionalism to be named an Andrew Fairlie Scholar.

Eligible applicants can find out more information by visiting:

https://hitscotland.co.uk/scholarships