Tag: restaurants

Rebrand for Edinburgh First

The University of Edinburgh’s first-class hospitality and events portfolio, previously known as Edinburgh First, has ‘transitioned to a new identity closely aligned to the strong, globally recognised University brand’. 

The rebrand includes the relaunch of the brand’s enviable accommodation offering. The new Hospitality and Events Collection now includes The Scott Hotel, a boutique hotel with 36 stunning suites and spacious bedrooms, perfectly positioned to appeal to those business and leisure travellers who are looking for a five star luxury experience.

The hotels rebrand also includes KM Hotel & Apartments in Edinburgh’s old town, a mix of stylish, modern bedrooms and apartments and, finally, The Scholar Hotel, located in the beautiful grounds of the Pollock estate. This hotel now has a contemporary bar and restaurant, as well as rooms that have been designed to ensure maximum comfort and the best possible night’s sleep.   

The conference and events portfolio has always been a core part of The University of Edinburgh’s Hospitality and Events Collection, and the rebrand will further strengthen this connection to the University.

The University’s conference venues have always helped to attract global conferences and events with large delegate cohorts to the City of Edinburgh, and the team will work closely with academics and researchers to ensure that this grows even further. 

The rebrand represents the growth of the University of Edinburgh’s commercial arm and further positions The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection as a major player in the hospitality and business tourism industry.  

Carina Svensen, Director, Accommodation, Catering and Events at The University of Edinburgh said: “The rebrand has been years in the making and our expert team has spent a lot of time analysing the market and exploring changing customer demands. Our transition has been expertly executed at every level to reflect the new hospitality, conference, and events landscape.  

“We’re looking forward to welcoming guests old and new into our hotels, apartments, and unique event spaces.” 

For more information, please visit: www.uoecollection.com

PizzaExpress serves up refurbished restaurant at West End

Edinburgh’s Queensferry Street PizzaExpress has undergone a full refurb and will welcome customers back through its doors to grab their most loved pizzas with a brand-new look.

The pizzeria will offer a wide range of dishes from the Piccolo menu for children to numerous vegan options and comes complete with a vibrant setting for all the family to enjoy.

The refresh brings the flavour and passion of Italian dining culture to the town, inspired by the original vision of Founder, Peter Boizot, who first introduced the taste of authentic pizza to the UK in 1965.

At the heart of the restaurant is the open kitchen, the stage from which expert pizzaiolos showcase their talent – and love – for pizza making. As much of a feast for the eyes as for the belly, diners will delight as they bring the theatre and authenticity of the craft to the fore.

Ben Hicks, Territory Manager at PizzaExpress Edinburgh Queensferry, said: “We know the love people have for PizzaExpress, and we think they’ll enjoy coming returning to the new look of our pizzeria in Edinburgh Queensferry. The refurbishment has added a great feel and ambience to the space making it the perfect space for family dining.”

PizzaExpress recently launched its 2022 spring menu which includes the nationwide rollout of its vegan-version garlic butter, as well as a range of brand-new dishes celebrating seasonality and freshness. There are also a variety of new drinks from Naturally Pink Apple Juice to the Pornstar Martini and Campari Negroni.

To book a table, please visit https://www.pizzaexpress.com/edinburgh-queensferry-street

Address: PizzaExpress, 32 Queensferry St, Edinburgh EH2 4QS

Opening times:

Mon-Thurs 11.30am – 10.00pm,

Fri – Sat 11.30-10:30pm,

Sun 11.30-10pm

New gastropub The Fetching Fox opens on the outskirts of Edinburgh

A new gastropub with an authentic farm-to-fork philosophy has just opened on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The Fetching Fox, where the emphasis is on an appreciation of local and Scottish produce, is the latest venture launched by the Gammell family – owners of Conifox Adventure Park and the recently opened indoor Activity Centre in Kirkliston. 

With a rich family heritage in farming, the restaurant’s modern rustic interior and mouth-watering menus reflect their love of the land and ethos of championing Scotland’s finest seasonal harvest – from local West Lothian-raised beef to hand-dived Orkney scallops.  

Locally-produced ice cream also features along with an exuberant cocktail menu of classics and drinks with the Conifox twist – Tartan Apple anyone? 

The 100-cover gastropub is housed in the park’s newly refurbished former Stables Bistro, which has been lovingly restored to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere. The distinct décor builds on the natural character of the space which offers a relaxed, informal dining and bar area in a completely new ambience.

Beyond the inviting interior with its log-burning fires, The Fetching Fox also features an outdoor area, with gourmet barbecue in the Summer months, all set against the beautiful rural backdrop. 

The creative team in the kitchen is led by Grant Mercer, a veteran of Edinburgh eateries including The Raeburn and Kilted Lobster in Stockbridge. His menus include steaks, Blue Murder cheese sauce, scallops with curried and pickled cauliflower, chocolate French toast for brunch and cardamom rice pudding. 

The Fetching Fox will be open on Thursday-Sunday from 5pm offering a mix of small plates, main courses, including dishes from the grill, and desserts. Lunch time bookings will also be available shortly. 

James Gammell, Managing Director of Conifox Adventure Park, says: “This is a wonderful new project for us and is really a natural extension of the family’s entrepreneurial spirit and farming history. With our experience of hill farming and having had sheep and cattle in Conifox, we know exactly what it takes to get the very best out of our land.  

“In Scotland, we rear some of the best meat and produce in the world and that’s something we wanted to celebrate in our menus. We’re excited to share our vision with our customers and look forward to welcoming diners who have the same appreciation of great, seasonal, Scottish food and drink.” 

Local suppliers include Castle Game and local fish supplier, Welch Fishmongers, Edinburgh’s Pickering’s Gin, the Ferry Brewery, Days non-alcoholic beer, Forth Coffee Roasters and S. Luca of Musselburgh ice cream. The Fetching Fox can also accommodate private dining experiences for parties up to 30.  

To find out more about the Fetching Fox visit www.thefetchingfox.co.uk 

The Ivy on the Square launches Easter Specials celebrating Spring

The Ivy on the Square is celebrating the Easter season with a series of delicious specials incorporating limited edition cocktails, a spring lamb dish and showstopping Easter Nest dessert.

The enticing offering will be available to guests for Easter weekend only (Friday, 15 until Monday, 18 April) alongside the brasserie’s inimitable classics, fusing fresh seasonal ingredients and delectable culinary twists.

The Grilled Lamb Cutlets (£25.95) will be served with a crushed pea and herb purée with slow-cooked  lamb shoulder, asparagus, baby courgette, sun-blush tomatoes, red wine and olive sauce, while chocolate lovers will go crazy for the Easter Nest (£9.25), a nod to the humble bird’s egg, featuring a divine chocolate sponge, piled with dark and white chocolate mousse and Kataifi pastry and topped off with chocolate eggs and lemon balm. 

Complementing the dishes in true style is the limited edition cocktail menu – featuring an Easter twist on three classic aperitifs, a Chocolate Negroni (£10.25), an Easter Egg Martini (£10.95) and a White Rabbit G&T (£10.25).

To book a table visit TheIvyEdinburgh.com

Celebrate the spring season at The Ivy on the Square

The Ivy on the Square has launched a delectable new menu embracing the flavours of spring.

With a sense of freshness and renewal, guests will be taken on a journey of rediscovery with a selection of delights featuring ingredients that the new season brings to our tables.

Launched on the official first day of spring, diners can enjoy a series of seasonal favourites that spotlight the best of British ingredients.

The new menu will feature a number of artisanal British suppliers, with dishes including Garden Pea & Nettle Soup (£6.95), Grilled Asparagus with Szechuan mayonnaise, capers, flaked almonds, quail’s egg and watercress (£8.50), The Ivy Shepherd’s Pie with slow-braised lamb and beef, red wine sauce, and Isle of Mull Cheddar potato mash (£14.50), and a renewed selection of steaks, all truly capturing the essence of the changing seasons.

A spokesperson for Isle of Mull Cheese, said: ‘We are delighted that The Ivy on the Square has chosen to include our farmhouse cheese on their menu, showcasing our island produce. 

‘The sharp and deep flavours of our cheese will make this dish extra special.  Our cheese has long running heritage, so it is great to see it being used by contemporary restaurants who appreciate the work that has gone into making it.’ 

Those with a sweet tooth will be able to enjoy a new Black Bee Honey and White Chocolate Cheesecake (£9.25), featuring UK-based Black Bee Honey and accompanied by mango sorbet, honeycomb and edible flowers.

Alongside new dishes, guests will be able to enjoy a delicious and refreshing selection of spring cocktails, including a Raspberry Mojito (£9.75), incorporating Havana Club Rum, lime, sugar, fresh mint and Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, and a Smoked Islay Rob Roy (£9.75), featuring a sumptuous blend of Chivas 12yr old Blended Scotch, Noilly Prat, Belsazar, Red Vermouth, Angostura Bitters and a Laphroaig mist.

The Ivy on the Square will also be offering a limited-edition dessert this Easter. The Easter Nest (£9.95) is a sumptuous dark and white chocolate mousse, accompanied by Kataifi pastry, chocolate sponge and lemon balm, available on Easter weekend only from Friday, 15 to Monday, 18 April.  

Agata Lubera, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square, comments: “With reimagined favourites alongside a selection of new dishes, our new menu celebrates the best ingredients the spring season has to offer.

“A visit to The Ivy is the perfect reawakening of the senses after a long winter.”

To book a table, please visit www.theivyedinburgh.com    

Cooking up a storm!

Gordon Ramsay to open new restaurant at St James Quarter

Gordon Ramsay Street Burger will be opening its first Scottish based restaurant in a flagship location at St James Quarter

St James Quarter confirms another meaty arrival with Gordon Ramsay Street Burger set to open its first restaurant in Scotland.

Gordon Ramsay Street Burger will open within the Ribbon building at levels 4 and 5 of St James Quarter, opposite the Everyman Cinema which opens its doors in April this year.

The Gordon Ramsay team will elevate its concept for the Edinburgh branch, bringing a games lounge, DJ booth and stunning interiors designed by internationally acclaimed Russell Sage Studio.

The news follows the recent announcement of the March opening of Ka Pao, an East Asian restaurant from Glasgow that was presented a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin guide, a prize awarded to outlets offering exceptional quality cuisine at accessible prices.

Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, commented: “It’s been a big week for St James Quarter with a number of iconic brands confirmed to be joining the family.

“We are delighted that Gordon Ramsay has chosen a flagship space within The Quarter for Street Burger’s Scottish debut. Edinburgh is clearly a city close to his heart and we think our guests will be wowed by what he and his team have got planned for the space.”

St James Quarter has gone from strength to strength since opening in June 2021, and offers an impressive and growing list of names at the retail led destination, which includes & Other Stories, Mango, Zara, REISS, Bershka, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Miele, Next, H&M, JD Sports, John Lewis and many more.

Celebrate Burns Night with The Ivy on the Square

Raise a dram to Robert Burns in style at The Ivy on the Square, where guests will be treated to a limited-edition menu featuring some traditional Scottish favourites with an Ivy twist. 

On Tuesday, 25 January, diners can enjoy a good helping of Scottish cuisine with classic Burns Night dishes, including a Haggis Neeps and Tatties Shepherd’s Pie, and the regular favourite Oatmeal-rolled Lathallan Haggis Bon Bons. For those with a sweet tooth, the menu also features a Hazelnut Praline Parfait. 

Additional themed cocktails will be available alongside entertainment that will pay tribute to Robert Burns and his work. Get ready for some poetry, pipes and drams!

Cocktails include My Love Is Like a Red, Red, Rose (£9.75) a whisky lover’s twist on the classic Bramble cocktail with Highland Park 12 Year Old Whisky, lemon juice, sugar and a float of Crème de Mure; and My Heart Is In The Highlands (£12.75) a wonderfully indulgent champagne cocktail with Highland Park 12 Year Old Whisky, Grand Marnier & The Ivy Champagne poured carefully over a sugar cube soaked in Angostura Bitters. 

To view the full menu and make a reservation, visit TheIvyEdinburgh.com

Wingstop announce first Scottish opening in St James Quarter

Wingstop, the award-winning concept with more than 1,600 locations worldwide, has announced that it will open a new restaurant in Edinburgh tomorrow (Thursday 16 December).

The new outlet will be Wingstop’s 14th UK location and their first physical restaurant opening in Scotland.

The restaurant will be located on St James Quarter’s lower ground in Leith Street Eats. The store is set to open to the public on December 16th 2021, and will be open between 11am – 10pm seven days a week. Delivery and Click and Collect will be available soon through Deliveroo.

Tom Grogan, Director of Lemon Pepper Holdings (Wingstop UK) said: “We have taken our time to look for the perfect location for our first Wingstop location in Scotland and we are delighted with the site we have chosen in St James Quarter.

“We look forward to introducing our Flavours and Wings to the guests of this iconic development.”

Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “We are beyond excited to be welcoming Wingstop to the St James Quarter family. We know from the success of our food and beverage brands just how much customers love culinary experiences, so we can’t wait to see their incredible menu come to life.

“Our goal is to provide visitors with an enjoyable and memorable experience with something new to see, do, and experience every time they come back to The Quarter – from the casual diner to the serial foodie, there is something here for everyone.”

Wingstop recently opened its 16th store in Manchester Piccadilly, following on from openings in Birmingham, Bristol and Reading.

Wingstop prides itself on its quality product and bold flavour variety. Guests can choose from a selection 10 bold flavours: Lemon Pepper, Atomic, Mango Habanero, Hawaiian, Louisiana Rub, Original Hot, Spicy Korean Q, Hickory Smoked BBQ, Brazilian Citrus Pepper and Garlic Parmesan.

Classic wings, boneless wings, tenders are all available hand-sauced-and-tossed with fans’ choice of bold flavours. Wingstop has recently introduced a Big Flavour Burger available in any of the ten flavours served in a buttery brioche bun, coleslaw, ranch, and pickles.

Sweet potato fries or regular fries are also available and can be customised with Lemon Pepper seasoning, Cajun or Wingstop style, or fans can go all out and order loaded fries topped off with either Buffalo Ranch or cheese.

Wingstop’s dip selection includes ranch, blue cheese and honey mustard. To top it off, sweet and crunchy churros are available for dessert with a choice of Oreo or Biscoff crumble and a choice of sweet milk or caramel dip.

Since launching in 2018, Wingstop has a growing portfolio of restaurants in England and now Scotland. The aim is to continue expansion with more restaurants due to open across the UK.

Thai Express Kitchen opens in St James Quarter

A GLOBAL brand known for its fresh take on traditional Thai food has officially opened the doors of its first ever Scottish venue in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter.

Thai Express Kitchen offers Edinburgh foodies casual dining and a licensed bar, centred around an open-plan kitchen, with expert wok chefs cooking to order and using fresh and seasonal produce.

The Edinburgh restaurant features Scotland’s very first example of double decker restaurant seating – inspired by a setup popular across Southeast Asia.

Also offering food on the go, it serves a selection of traditional Thai and custom dishes, including pad Thai, papaya salad and its popular Thairatcha wings – with customers able to customise dishes to their preferred spice level.

The launch is an exciting moment for Uzma and Sachin Pattani, who brought the 300-outlet “Thai Express” brand to the UK in 2012.

As the first Thai Express “Kitchen”, Edinburgh will be the eighth and largest setting, with the dining in element a much bigger focus. The St James Quarter restaurant joins similar buzzy locations including Croydon, Wembley and Birmingham.

The opening marks the moment Sachin, 42, who has overseen the £500,000 transformation of the site, hands over operations to his 35-strong team who will oversee the day to day running of the venue.

Thai Express Kitchen, St James Quarter, Edinburgh

He said: “Our launch events could not have been more successful and we are delighted to have started serving up our world-famous Thai food to the Edinburgh public.

“As our first ever ‘Kitchen’ – a lot of care and hard work has gone in behind the scenes to make this our most creative and extensive venue so far.

“We’re fiercely proud of the business we have built in the UK so far and are looking forward to offering our Scottish customers delicious Thai flavours in a special setting that we hope will get people talking.”

The eatery, within the £1billion St James Quarter’s Leith Street Eats area, will feature 100 covers.

Originally from Canada, Thai Express is the global leading brand for fast casual Thai Dining – and it attracts a wide audience, from families to students to office workers, with a combination of fresh food at a reasonable price.

For more information about Thai Express Kitchen at St James Quarter, visit: https://thaiexpress.co.uk/ or follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Leith MSP gets back behind the bar to back local hospitality sector recruitment drive

Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson will be pulling pints behind the bar in Joseph Pearce’s today (Friday 17 September) to show his support for hospitality businesses in the local area and the city more widely.

One of the MSP’s first jobs was as a bartender and he worked in a number different hospitality businesses in the city throughout his twenties. While working in hospitality he has said that he developed practical, organisational and interpersonal skills which have benefitted him throughout the rest of his career, including as an MSP.

Brexit has resulted in major staff shortages within the hospitality industry, which is affecting opening hours and the capacity to serve customers.

Commenting on his support for local hospitality businesses and their recruitment drive, Ben Macpherson MSP said: “I developed many practical, organisational and interpersonal skills while working in hospitality, and I learned a lot about different aspects of society from meeting and listening to colleagues and customers alike. I also made a lot of new friends from all over the world, who I’m still in touch with to this day, and had some great times working with them.

“The sector still has some improvements to make when it comes to its fair work responsibilities – but I have seen significant and meaningful change since I worked behind the bar 10 years ago, and today there are many hospitality businesses offering fair pay, good career paths and fulfilling opportunities.

“The experience of the pandemic has reminded us that local hospitality businesses are a key part of our communities and our economy – they are where we so often come together with loved ones and friends, and provide the setting for so many joyful moments in our lives.

“Cafes, pubs, clubs and restaurants are an important part of our society and I would encourage anyone looking for work to consider what either a temporary job or a career in hospitality can offer as a chance to learn new, transferrable skills.”

Anna Christopherson, Co-Owner of Boda Bars, said: “Working in hospitality gives you people skills, integrity and sales skills that you will need in every job you ever have.

“I wish everyone would work in hospitality at least once in their lives. It is a great job that gives you freedom to work everywhere around the world.”