After a cold, grey winter, the sun is finally making an appearance, nights are getting lighter and there’s blossom on the trees; the season of days with friends turning into nights dancing until the small hours is here, and The Botanist is helping everyone celebrate summer with free live music every weekend at The Botanist LIVE.
Supplying the soundtrack to your weekend every Friday and Saturday night, The Botanist’s talented artists are set to play live from 8pm until late. Guests can expect a vibrant party atmosphere and sounds of rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, disco and blues.
The events are not ticketed and are free to attend, so all you need to do is turn up at the bar, order one of The Botanist’s refreshing botanical cocktails and wait for its house band get the party started.
Out for the night? Showcasing what it does best, the Botanist team will be serving up signature feel-good food and shaking cocktails as usual throughout the evening, for those looking to book a table in the restaurant before letting the good times roll until the early hours.
To find your nearest The Botanist and book your spot, visit:
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.
Special offers revealed for 40 City Centre restaurants and bars taking part in the festival
Eat Out Edinburgh, the highly-anticipated restaurant festival taking over Edinburgh’s city centre next month, has now released a full list of venues taking part in the campaign, with incredible deals from the most exciting restaurants from Princes Street and Charlotte Square to St James Quarter throughout the entirety of March.
Amazing set menus, special offers and events are now available to browse from each of the 40 venues involved on Eat Out Edinburgh’s website with guests able to book now for dates from the 1st to 31st of March.
The past year has seen an influx of new bars and restaurants to the capital, bringing a variety of new dining experiences to explore during Eat Out Edinburgh’s run, including:
– Willow Tea Rooms: The new traditional afternoon tea spot is opening later this month in the former Starbucks unit with stunning castle views on Princes Street and will be offering a traditional afternoon tea throughout March for £17.95 per person, excluding March 10th.
– RIO Brazilian Steakhouse: The newly opened Rodizio style steakhouse within the Assembly Rooms will be offering their unique menu including unlimited salad bar access and meats served tableside at £34.95 for dinner and £19.95 for lunch.
– The Alchemist George Street: The creative cocktail bar and restaurant’s newest venue on George Street has curated a special menu offering two courses for £20 and three courses for £35.
– Fat Hippo: The new restaurant known for its extensive menu of juicy, decadent burgers has created a menu with a starter, main, and a sidefor £15 from Monday to Thursday throughout the month.
Offers vary from venue to venue, with each location bringing its own unique value with something to appeal to everyone, from celebrating Mother’s Day with a brunch at Duck & Waffle with £29 for 3 Courses or a lesson in mixology with a cocktail masterclass for £25 at the Hard Rock Café.
Eat Out Edinburgh brings friends, family, and colleagues together from across the Lothians for the chance to explore new cuisines and try special occasion restaurants for an accessible price while supporting the city’s vibrant hospitality sector.
Run by Essential Edinburgh, the campaign taking place throughout the capital’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID) returns this year for double the time after a successful two-week run in 2023.
Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, Essential Edinburgh, said: “The venues taking part in this year’s Eat Out Edinburgh have gone above and beyond to create really exciting offers for guests that will let Edinburgh locals, visitors and workers in the city centre experience some of the city’s best cuisine at an accessible price.
“The scope of this year’s campaign brings more venues than ever over a longer period of time for a massive celebration of Edinburgh’s unmatched food scene right in time for the Spring season to bring a renewed energy to the city.”
Businesses Participating in Eat Out Edinburgh 2024
Angel’s Share
Auld Hundred
BABA
Badger & Co
Bonnie & Wild
Boozy Cow
Bread Street Kitchen
Cadiz
Café Andaluz
Contini George Street
Copper Blossom
Dean Banks at The Pompadour
Duck & Waffle
Element
Fat Hippo
Fazenda
Gaucho
Grazing by Mark Greenaway at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Gusto
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor
Haute Dolci
Hawksmoor
Huxley
Indian Lounge
Ka Pao
Lady Libertine
Le Monde
Maki & Ramen St James Quarter
Malmaison
Queens Arms
Rabble
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse
Tattu
TGI Fridays Edinburgh Castle Street
The Alchemist – George Street & St James Quarter
The Register Club
The Scottish Café And Restaurant
The Voodoo Rooms
Tigerlily
Twenty Princes Street
Willow Tea Rooms
For more information on each venue, and to keep book, visit:
ONE of the UK’s most popular Chinese takeaways has offered up a sweet new selection to celebrate Veganuary.
Chopstix Noodle Bar is bringing the ‘All Leaf, No Beef’ Teriyaki to its stores across the nation, hitting menus from Tuesday 9th January.
Mixing plant based ‘beef’ strips with peppers, onions and Chopstix’ secret recipe sweet Teriyaki sauce, the special topping gives Pan-Asian fanatics a way to stick to their vegan goals while still chowing down on authentic Chinese food.
Chopstix’s latest vegan offering follows a number of menu items that have been added over the years since the brand’s first vegan dish, the Green Thai Tofu Curry that was launched in 2019.
Rob Burns, Marketing Director for Chopstixsaid: “We wanted to bring something totally fresh for those that are trying out the vegan lifestyle this January, giving Pan-Asian food lovers a tasty & healthy option that is totally meat free.
“Whether you’re just starting on your vegan journey or you’ve been plant-based for years, the ‘All Leaf No Beef’ Teriyaki will definitely hit the spot.”
As with the rest of Chopstix vegan range, the dish’s plant-based protein, which is sourced from Europe by Miami Foods, is GMO, antibiotics, palm oil and cholesterol free, as well as being a high source of protein and fibre & low in saturated fats.
And hungry customers will be able to grab a plate from one of over 100 stores when the nationwide roll-out of the dish starts next week.
Loui Blake, CEO of Miami Foods, said: “We’re incredibly happy to partner with Chopstix this Veganuary. Their commitment to developing innovative & sustainable plant-based dishes means diners now have even more meat-free options.”
The noodle bar, first launched 20 years ago in the famous Camden Market before migrating to Oxford Street London, now has stores across almost every major town and city in the country.
Along with being available in stores across the UK, The noodle bar’s popular dishes are also available to order from most of the country’s top delivery platforms including UberEats, Deliveroo and Just Eat.
Le Petit Beefbar adds ‘Naughty or Nice’ Christmas cocktails to their drinks menu
Throughout December, the restaurant will dish up some festive favourites alongside exclusive meats on their renowned menu
Le Petit Beefbar is making a list that diners will want to check twice, with a new menu of festive cocktails, both naughty and nice. Edinburgh’s glamorous new steak destination is inviting guests for a sip of mischief and dash of Christmas cheer with these new cocktails, perfect for those both on Santa’s naughty and nice list.
Crafted by the restaurant’s expert mixologists, get ready to jingle your taste buds with Le Petit Beefar’s “Naughty or Nice” festive concoctions. For those who proudly sit on the naughty list, Le Petit Beefbar presents ‘The Spicy Santa’, a margarita with a mischievous twist featuring Tequila, Amara Montenegro, lime, agave syrup, and a pinch of chilli for an extra cheeky kick.
Also meet ‘The Grinch’ – a green sensation with Midori taking the lead as the main ingredient, joined by white rum, lime, and lemonade for a truly sweet and sour experience.
For those on Santa’s 2023 nice list, Le Petit Beefbar delivers a trove of cocktails that are set to send you rocking around the Christmas tree. Behold the ‘Polar Espresso Martini’, a spin on the beloved Espresso Martini, with notes of mandarin liqueur, crème de cacao, Kahlúa, orange juice, chocolate bitters, and a shot of espresso for that memorable kick.
And that’s not all, the enchanting creation, ‘White Christmas’, that features vodka, Kahlúa, raspberry cream, and a dash of homemade white chocolate liqueur – a real treat for Santa’s favourites.
For diners looking for lunch or dinner while doing their Christmas shopping, the restaurant has added some special festive dishes to their menu for the month of December. Don’t limit yourself to just one Christmas dinner this month, indulge in the free-range turkey, complemented by Kobe karasumi mash, sprouts, butternut squash, and drizzled with Beefbar’s delicious sauce. For a delightful dessert, savor the creamy vanilla cheesecake with a hazelnut crust and fresh pear—a perfect way to finish any meal.
For Hogmanay, it’s out with the old and in with the delicious as Le Petit Beefbar delivers a curated menu for those looking to ring in the new year with style. As the clock approaches midnight, guests can indulge in a sophisticated dinner, choosing between street food inspired options like Kobe Beef Jamon, Baby Quesadillas, or Signature Bao Buns.
Alternatively, guests can opt for the iconic Beefbar classics, deciding over the Paradise Pepper Fillet or the mouthwatering Miyazaki Wagyu Striploin. These dishes can also be accompanied by Le Petit Beefbar’s irresistible sides, comprising hand-cut fries with parmesan & black truffle to their signature mash. Each guest will also receive a glass of Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne on arrival, adding a touch of class to the celebrations.
Le Petit Beefbar General Manager, Jean-Francois Greyer said: “We wanted to spread some festive cheer in true Le Petit Beefbar fashion, which is why we have introduced our ‘Naughty or Nice’ cocktails.
“For those looking for a bit of mischief this festive period, we present ‘The Spicy Santa’ and ‘The Grinch’ and for those that are in merit of a treat, we present ‘The Polar Espresso Martini’ and ‘White Christmas’. These cocktails add a cheeky twist this festive season, inviting our guests to add a bit of flavourful fun to their Christmas celebrations.
“We have also curated a Hogmanay themed menu for those looking to bring in the new year at Edinburgh’s most sophisticated steak restaurant, enjoying a selection of delicious dishes paired with a glass of champagne to bring in the bells with style”.
More than 20 takeaways and restaurants in Edinburgh, London, St Helens and Stoke have been subject to unannounced visits as part of a crackdown on electronic till fraud.
The action by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers took place over the last four weeks, with 24 hot food takeaways and restaurants targeted.
The visits coincided with the launch of criminal investigations by HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, which are conducting three interviews under caution this month with individuals from Stoke and St Helens.
A small minority of takeaways and restaurants in the UK are using Electronic Sales Suppression (ESS) tools, which are software or devices that alter electronic point-of-sale records. They are used to underreport a business’s sales and consequently evade tax.
Those involved are being urged to contact HMRC now before their wrongdoing is detected. The longer a business delays in disclosing information, the higher the financial penalties will likely be. Since May 2023 the department has received more than 50 voluntary disclosures from businesses about their undeclared sales.
Marc Gill, HMRC’s Director of Individuals & Small Business Compliance, said:“ESS tools give businesses the appearance of trading legitimately, but in reality they are stealing tax that should be helping fund our vital public services.
“We have sophisticated ways of detecting this type of fraud and anyone using, supplying, making or promoting ESS can face fines of up to £50,000 or criminal prosecution.
“We urge those involved to come forward and use our disclosure facility on gov.uk rather than wait for us to contact you – it could lead to a reduction in financial penalties.”
ESS tools are usually hardware or cloud-based software that allow businesses to understate their income in various ways. Sales are put through the till as normal, but the system allows records to be manipulated – sometimes by deleting sales and linking to either domestic or offshore payment platforms.
To investigate ESS in the takeaway and restaurant sector, HMRC uses third party information, including bank account and transactional data from online food ordering platforms, to check against what has been declared.
As well as a voluntary disclosure form, HMRC also encourages anyone with information regarding ESS or any form of tax fraud to contact them online.
This year’s Scottish Italian Awards saw one Edinburgh restaurant standing above the rest as Divino Enoteca became a triple winner, receiving accolades for ‘Scotland’s Best Wine Selection’, ‘Scotland’s Best Pasta Chef’, and ‘Scotland’s Best Chef’, alongside a ‘Highly Recommended’ commendation for Best Restaurant in the East.
The 10th anniversary of the Scottish Italian Awards welcomed over 750 guests to the Double Tree in Glasgow on 26th November for an evening celebrating the best of the Italian hospitality community, who have all made an incredible impact on Scotland’s food scene.
Divino flew the flag for Edinburgh well through the evening, as the sole winners from the capital city. The awards cap off a successful year for the restaurant, with milestones including visits from Prince Albert of Monaco and actor Gerard Butler, following a £100,000 renovation at the end of 2022.
Tucked away on Merchant Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Divino is known for its high-quality food that provides a modern and creative take on Italian cuisine. Seasonal menus, with dishes ranging from fresh pastas with silky sauces to succulent braised meats. are imagined by Chef Andrea Calistro – honoured with awards for ‘Scotland’s Best Chef’ and ‘Best Pasta Chef’.
The award for Best Wine Selection reflects Divino’s dedication to curating an impressive assortment of world wines, with regular wine tasting evenings and a unique ‘enomatic’ machine allowing guests to sample rare wines from the bottle.
Vittoria Group’s other celebrated restaurants were also honoured in the awards, with Vittoria on the Bridge also ‘Highly Recommended’ for Best Restaurant East, and Bertie’s Proper Fish & Chips ‘Highly Recommended’ for the Best Fish and Chips Award.
Co-owner Alberto Crolla was delighted with the awards recognition, saying: “While we strive for excellence each day of the year, awards like this are a testament to the team’s dedication to providing an incredible experience for each customer that visits our restaurant.
“This hat-trick of award wins makes a wonderful ending to an exciting year at Divino that began with a freshly unveiled restaurant and saw a myriad of exciting events like regionally themed nights and celebrity guests that keep our team energised to keep up the remarkable work they’re doing.”
The Crolla family have been at the forefront of Italian hospitality in the capital since Vittoria on the Walk first opened in Leith more than 50 years ago.
Now three generations of the family have expanded the Vittoria group across the city, each offering something unique while honouring the traditions of great Italian hospitality.
Gordon Ramsay Restaurant Edinburgh venues have welcomed the return of their ‘GReat Donate’ festive fundraiser, to raise money for specialist charity Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland.
The fundraiser launched during the 2022 festive season, coinciding with the launch of Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger restaurant in the St James Quarter. They raised an incredible £15,642 as a result which Gordon and Tana Ramsay then generously matched to give the charity an extra special funds boost.
This year, a £1 voluntary donation will be added to diner’s bills at the St Andrew Square restaurant and St James Quarter restaurant until the end of December 2023.
The funds raised will help SBH Scotland provide vital support to over 4,000 children, young people and adults across Scotland who are affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
Gordon Ramsay became SBH Scotland’s first ever Honorary Patron back in 2003 when he met the organisation’s Chairperson, Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, at the Great North Run. For 20 years, he has continued to support SBH Scotland through charitable donations and appearances.
A spokesperson from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants said:“SBH Scotland are a fantastic charity which makes a real difference to the lives of so many families across Scotland who are affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
“We’re delighted to bring back our Festive Fundraiser to our Bread Street Kitchen & Bar and Street Burger restaurants in Edinburgh and we hope our diners will be happy to make a small gesture this Christmas, that’ll have a big impact on families across Scotland.
Lawrence Cowan, Chief Executive of SBH Scotland, said: “As our Honorary Patron, Gordon has been a great friend of our charity for nearly two decades and we couldn’t be more thankful for his and Tana’s continued generosity.
“Over the years, Gordon has taken time out from his busy schedule to host gala dinners, launch appeals including the campaign to build our Family Support Centre, and personally meet with the families we support.
“Right now, people need our support more than ever. Christmas can be a difficult time and with the burden of the cost-of-living crisis looming heavily in families lives, our finance, benefits and specialist support services are needed more than ever. Through this campaign people can help make sure that no one affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus feels alone.
“We rely on donations to make sure our lifeline support continues, so being able to work with the brilliant teams at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants again means a lot to us and the families we support.
“We thank all the diners visiting Bread Street Kitchen or Street Burger this festive season. Every £1 donated matters to a family in need. It’s a chance to enjoy great food and support a great cause this Christmas.”
Ambitious plans to develop a mixed-use centre at the heart of East Lothian’s new town, Blindwells, including more affordable homes, have been submitted for approval.
The project proposals, led by regeneration and property development specialist Hargreaves Land, could see new shops, offices, restaurants, supermarket and business space all constructed on 5 acres at Blindwells.
Included in the plans are sixty affordable apartments overlooking the newly created Princes Loch. Also proposed are a new wellbeing centre, care home, gym and community space as part of ambitious plans to create a sustainable and pedestrian friendly town centre.
Extra bus stops, active travel paths and electrical vehicle (EV) charge points are also proposed, supporting the principles of a ‘20-minute neighbourhood’. This approach is based around creating communities to allow residents to meet their daily requirements within a few minutes’ walk of their front doors and includes access to sustainable modes of travel.
Hargreaves Land, which is working with planning and development consultants Turley and EMA architects to bring forward its plans, expects the move will create a ‘vibrant and bustling’ new centre at the heart of Blindwells, delivering a significant economic boost for the local area in the process.
This includes hundreds of jobs in the construction, supply chain, and local services sectors, which could all follow if the latest phase of development gets the green light from East Lothian Council which is anticipated early in the new year.
Onsite construction work could start as early as mid-2024.
Jonathan Graham, senior development surveyor at Hargreaves Land, said: “Our ambitious plans mark another exciting chapter in the Blindwells story. We are investing for the future, building a town centre that will create a new destination and an exciting sense of place for residents, adding to their overall wellbeing and living experience.
“We’re also working with our partners to deliver much needed affordable homes, ensuring schemes like this one are a welcome addition to local communities and contribute towards providing high quality housing for people in places where they want to live.”
Kate Donald, director at Turley, said: “We’re proud to provide ongoing support to Hargreaves Land to help them deliver exciting plans for Blindwells. This latest application will see the creation of a vibrant town centre which will provide key amenities to the wider new community that is being created.”
Hargreaves Land is the developer behind the regeneration of Blindwells, which lies between Tranent, Cockenzie and Port Seton and has been earmarked for new housing for more than a decade as part of the regeneration of one of Scotland’s former coalfields.
Over 150 new homes are already occupied with housebuilders Persimmon, Bellway and Ogilvie all currently active at Blindwells, with Hadden Homes and Avant Homes also proposing to commence onsite in the new year.
Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter launches Frankie & Benny’s Big Kids Birthday parties – Celebrate your birthday anytime!
Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter has launched the first Frankie & Benny’s Big Kids Birthday parties. And as her own birthday is on Christmas Day, she decided her Half Birthday on July 25th would be a cracker!
As you can see, the I’m A Celebrity favourite’s bash had all the bells and whistles and that’s just what other Big Kids will get.
The popular Italian restaurant is showing diners in need of fun that they can celebrate their birthday any time. And if they have as much fun as Jorgie, there are sure to be many happy returns!
There are on average 1,400 people born in the UK on Christmas Day and is one of the rarest days to be born. So, if your Big Day is December the 25th, or any other day, you can take back your day and celebrate anytime.
The new Big Kids Birthday Bundles, in partnership with delicious Project D Doughnuts, have been Inspired by the nostalgia of the parties we had as children and the joy those memories bring.
Frankie & Benny’s birthday packages are available from August 4 and are open to book from today including all the essentials needed for a good time. To book please go to: https://www.frankieandbennys.com/birthdays
The bundles include FREE Frankie’s playing cards, Birthday postcard, Birthday crowns, Stickers,Trolley Coin Birthday sign, when you buy a Project D Homer giant doughnut. You can even celebrate with a rum Big Kids Birthday milkshake!
We’ve all been dreaming of a summer of sun but we’ve given up on the British weather so let’s party anytime like it’s Crimbo!
Jorgie and six of her friends went to Frankie & Benny’s Manchester Printworks and celebrated with the new Frankie & Benny’s birthday pack, the grown up shakes and the delicious Project D doughnuts.
TV star Jorgie, 35, who has just become a mum for the first time, said: “I’ve never liked having a Christmas Day birthday so when I was asked to get involved in this campaign I jumped at the chance!
“Growing up it was just me, my Mum and my Gran so not seeing my friends on my birthday always felt pretty lonely. When I met my partner Ollie I made clear my expectations to be spoilt on my birthday – no joint Christmas / birthday presents – I wanted double presents!
“Celebrating my six month birthday in the summer makes so much sense and I’ve really enjoyed the night, being child-free and care-free and enjoying some me time with Ollie and our friends. It’s so important for parents to get that time and the 00’s nostalgia is a vibe! Thank you Frankie & Benny’s for giving me a proper birthday!”
Frankie & Benny’s Marketing Director, Andreia Harwood, said: “ We are thrilled to announce we are bringing back birthday parties at Frankie & Benny’s in partnership with Project D Doughnuts.
“We know our guests have fond memories of celebrating their birthdays in our restaurants when they were in their teens, so what better way to feel young again than with our Big Kid’s Birthday Bundles at affordable prices, all to the tune of a classic birthday jingle and a birthday cocktail!”.
Frankie & Benny’s serves up the best of Italian American favourites, offering you big flavours and broad choice. Whether you fancy a juicy chicken burger or an Italian classic, we’ve got something for everyone!
We’ve been a much-loved restaurant for over 20 years and offer a place to go for a fun, relaxing meal where you can enjoy some well-deserved, chill-out time served by our amazing teams.
We cater for all needs with a huge gluten free menu, a wide offering of vegetarian & vegan dishes and host of healthier, lighter bites. Our menu is also available for delivery or collection at https://www.frankieandbennys.com/takeaway
