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Scotland Hydro Nation Chair to lead water quality project to protect river ecosystems
New research led by the University of Stirling is to explore how pollution and climate change are impacting freshwater ecosystems for the first time. Prof Andrew Tyler provides a summary of the project and its ambitions.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) launched a call in April 2022 for projects that would address a significant gap in our understanding of how pollutants enter, transform and interact within rivers, and with the ecosystems that rivers support. The Understanding changes in quality of UK freshwaters call is part of a £8.4 million programme of research funded by NERC, with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that will support innovative collaborations including those with intervention-focused organisations and practitioners, creating a community of researchers and funding projects that span the three thematic areas of the programme.
Prof Andrew Tyler, Scotland Hydro Nation Chair, leads one of the five projects funded. Prof Tyler's project, MOT4Rivers, sees a consortium led by University of Stirling pulling on expertise from the James Hutton Institute, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, The School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, along with valuable project partners to investigate how pollutants interact with rivers and ecosystems, and devise a system to monitor and measure pollution.
For centuries, human activities have impacted our rivers by shifting the sources and combinations of physical, biological and chemical drivers and pressures. However, our understanding of their impact on ecosystems has been limited by viewing each in isolation and not considering their combined effects.
Our freshwater species are being challenged by a bewildering combination of pollutant cocktails (mixtures) whose effects are poorly understood. At the same time, climate-change driven shifts in water quantity (more frequent floods, longer periods of low flow) and warming waters are expected not only to be influencing the function, physiology, abundance and biological timings of freshwater ecological communities directly, but also the delivery and potential toxicity of these cocktails respectively. It is not simply the water pathway that we need to consider, but also the re-mobilisation of contaminants and the changing patterns of exposure that potentially magnify the effects on biota (i.e. organism sensitivity). Increasing urbanisation and changes in rainfall intensity and its seasonality, different catchment processes all have the potential to increase inputs of these emerging contaminants to the environment.
Our research, through the £2million MOT4Rivers project, will address these gaps by embracing the digital revolution through innovative technologies and transformative data analytics to deliver a step change in our knowledge and understanding. Our approach has three strands. The first will turn a spotlight on the Almond catchment in West Lothian, a sub catchment of the Firth of Forth catchment. The Almond is a typical catchment encompassing rural to urban land uses through rigorous investigations that will deliver high temporal resolution data. This investigation will provide new understanding of acute/event-based impacts on freshwater ecosystems.
The River Almond in West Lothian; Image credit: Scottish Water
Secondly, we will use national scale datasets and cutting edge data analytics tools to investigate the impacts of longer-term exposure to pollutant cocktails across the UK on water quality and ecosystem health. These findings will provide new understanding of chronic/long term impacts on freshwater ecosystems.
Thirdly, we will integrate our new evidence base and understanding into a risk-based probabilistic model. The model will allow the exploration of the relationships between environmental change, declining river quality, multiple pollutants and ecosystem impacts. Our research will develop the evidence base to understand changing pollutant sources, delivery pathways and the environmental tolerances and boundaries within which organisms can thrive and flourish (i.e. the ecosystem safe space).
Together, MOT4Rivers will inform priorities for policy, regulation and investment to design cost effective programmes of measures to promote and enhance sustainable freshwater ecosystems under a changing climate.
For more information on the project please see the University of Stirling press release, follow #HydroNationChair on Twitter and come back soon for a project webpage under R & I Infrastructure.
#You can keep up to date with the other four projects and overall programme via the Freshwater Quality Programme twitter and #UKFreshwaterQualityProgramme which is being championed by the University of Leeds.
#research#innovation#hydronationchair#team#industry#funding#rivers#transformation#NERC#DEFRA#Pollution#RiverAlmond
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Best Cocktail Bars London
If you are looking for the best cocktail bars in London you won't want to miss, from high-end mixologist labs then have a look at heads + tails, the restaurants with impressive drinks menus.
#Best Cocktail Bar in London#Cocktail Delivery Scotland#Special Alcohol Delivery England#Classic Cocktails UK#Best Cocktails With Gin#Cocktail Delivery Edinburgh#Cocktail Delivery Nationwide#Cocktail Delivery Birmingham#Cocktail Delivery Nottingham
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Top Wines & Liquors to Complement Your Valentine’s Day Dinner
Couples from all around the world are getting ready to be physically and emotionally united on this day. Restaurant bookings are spiking up, gifts and flower shops are getting more and more orders as 14th February is approaching. From choosing the most romantic gift for her to picking the best wine for him that not only tastes palatable but is also special for the occasion, couples are engrossed only in one mission - planning their Valentine’s Day celebration. After all, if you’re dining at one of the top-rated restaurants like Ten Foot Henry or La Brezza Ristorante where it took you one month to get a reservation, you need the best alcohol to make up for your efforts. Whether you plan to dine at the best restaurant or cook a romantic meal at home and have an intimate late-night dinner date with him/her, you can order Valentine’s Day special wine or liquor from a leading late night liquor delivery service provider and make the celebration more memorable.
Not sure which wines and liquors are perfect for your Valentine’s Day dinner date? Relax! We’ll tell you all about it in this blog. So, don’t stop reading!
Top Wines & Liquors Best Suited for Valentine’s Day Dinner
1. Thorntons Chocolate Liqueur: Chocolates, roses and wine. Need we tell you it’s the most famous romantic gift combination? Thornton is a renowned and reliable British chocolate maker and its chocolate liquor is simply delicious. The liquor is made of West African cocoa, vodka and cream. Pour it neat over ice or have it with desserts, Thornton’s Chocolate Liqueur is a sweet chocolaty romantic surprise packed in a bottle.
2. Candlelit Manhattan: Let us tell you that there isn’t a better way to wrap up a romantic candlelight dinner than with an amazing Candlelit Manhattan. It’s made with Mr. Lyan’s bourbon coupled with some deliciously sweet vermouths and bitters. And did you know Mr Lyan has also included wax into this cocktail? He’s quite famous for using unusual ingredients to create fantastic alcoholic drinks and Candlelit Manhattan happens to be one of the most delicious and enjoyable varieties among them.
3. G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne Non Vintage: Looking for the drink that’ll work well with rich, heavy dishes or washed rind cheeses? G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne Non Vintage is your best bet. The light yellow drink is intervened by fruity aromas in the company of white flowers, orange taste and ginger. The palate gives you the joy of honey flavours and plump baked pear along with gentle acidity. It has a smoky and toasty kind of finish that makes it perfect to pair up with a heavy meal or dish.
Worried about where to get it? Just call up your late night liquor delivery service provider and your G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne will be delivered right at your doorstep!
4. Edinburgh Valentine’s Gin: Talking about the best wines and liquors for Valentine’s Day is never complete without this beauty. If you’re bored of romantic wines, a V-Day inspired gin that has the usual Edinburgh Gin goodness is the right choice for you. Edinburgh Valentine’s Gin is notable for having rose petals and hibiscus flowers gently infused into this drink. This fruity cum floral gin that blends the freshness of juniper is perfect for setting the romantic mood.
5. Taylor Fladgate Tawny Port: As you already know, ports are the ideal dessert wines to be enjoyed after the meal and they are great digestifs. This port wine from Taylor Fladgate blends the sweet apricot flavours and toasty notes of wood and oak. After a scrumptious dinner, why not surprise your special one with this luscious and fruity port with a bar of rich dark chocolate?
Final words: Choosing the perfect Valentine’s Day alcoholic drink to complement your romantic meal isn’t about professing your expertise. Just make sure you know your own as well as your partner’s preferences and voila! You have the best V-Day special wine or liquor ready to be uncorked. So, don’t be afraid to experiment. Be fun, be innovative and select an alcoholic drink you both can enjoy together!
Calgary Dial a Bottle is a trusted and top-rated late night liquor delivery service provider, delivering a wide range of alcoholic drinks for parties, intimate celebrations, social events and more. To get the quickest delivery of your Valentine’s Day wines, liquors and spirits, reach us on 403-918-3030.
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New Post has been published on https://toldnews.com/business/a-lot-of-the-team-started-to-get-ill/
'A lot of the team started to get ill'
Image copyright
Wahaca
Image caption
The business partners were introduced by a mutual friend because they both shared a love of Mexican food
The BBC’s weekly The Boss series profiles different business leaders from around the world. This week we speak to Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby, founders of Mexican restaurant chain Wahaca.
When staff at a number of Wahaca branches started falling ill, Mark Selby says “it was a fairly big shock”.
This was back in November 2016, when the UK business was hit by an outbreak of norovirus, otherwise known as the vomiting bug.
“A lot of the team started to get ill, and we didn’t understand why,” say Mark: “Then suddenly we started hearing from our customers a few days later.”
In the end 200 members of staff and 160 diners were affected by the food poisoning, and Wahaca had to temporarily close nine of its 25 sites.
Image copyright
Wahaca
Image caption
The company has helped boost the popularity of Mexican food in the UK
Not wanting employees to be out of pocket, the company continued to pay wages to everyone who was unable to work, even giving them an extra amount to compensate for the tips they were missing out on.
“It wasn’t fair not to pay them,” says Mark.
Meanwhile, Thomasina sent personal apology notes to customers, embedded with wildflower seeds: “I thought even if they throw it away, they might still get wildflowers growing in their garden.”
Mark even visited a couple in Edinburgh who were affected by the virus on their wedding day. “I had a chat with them for half an hour. I wanted to say ‘I’m so sorry’.”
The co-founders never did find out where the norovirus originated from, but believe it might have come from a supplier.
“By the time we knew what it was, it had gone through [people’s] systems,” says Mark: “It came and went in a day, but the lasting effect was much greater.”
Image copyright
Paul Adams
Image caption
There are now 25 Wahaca branches across the UK
Financially the outbreak had a substantial impact on the business, with Wahaca saying it was responsible for a £4.7m loss that financial year, compared with profits of £600,000 for the preceding 12 months.
Thankfully, the company was able to recover. Within a few weeks all of the affected restaurants were able to reopen and the business returned to profitability.
Today the popular chain has annual revenues of £47.9m.
Mark and Thomasina opened their first Wahaca restaurant in London’s Covent Garden in 2007. They had been introduced by a mutual friend who knew they both had a passion for Mexican food.
Thomasina had not long returned to the UK after spending a year in Mexico. She had gone to the Central American country after winning BBC TV cookery competition MasterChef in 2005.
Working in a friend’s cocktail bar in Mexico City, she also travelled around the country to study all the regional food specialities.
Image caption
Thomasina (bottom right) found fame on TV show Masterchef
“I’d gone to Mexico when I was 18, and I was obsessed about the food,” she enthuses.
“I didn’t have a game plan [on her second visit], but had gone out there on fact-finding mission. I was driven out of curiosity as to why Mexican food just hadn’t got to the UK yet.
“I wanted to learn more about the food from each region. I thought, ‘this is nuts, that’s the biggest gastronomical secret in the world… why wasn’t it here in the UK?’.”
While Thomasina had a culinary background, Mark had been working at an investment firm called Capricorn Capital, which had a stake in chicken restaurant chain Nandos.
With Capricorn prepared to invest an initial £5m in Wahaca, the business partners had an easier start to their careers as restaurateurs than most. But there were still obstacles to overcome.
Image copyright
Steven Joyce
Image caption
Thomasina first fell in love with Mexican food when she went to the country as an 18-year-old
“The first day we opened [in Covent Garden] we had to close after half an hour because there was flooding from backed up drains,” recalls Mark.
They’d also faced a staff shortage after placing a jobs advert online just 10 days before they opened.
“People said it would be easy [to find workers] but we had about four people apply, including a Texan who refused to take off his cowboy boots,” says Thomasina.
“I said ‘you can’t cook in those shoes’ and he was like ‘I’m not taking them off’. We were like, ‘this is harder than we thought’.”
But despite the initial challenges the company soon expanded, and now has 1,100 employees across 25 locations in the UK.
More The Boss features:
Capricorn is the majority shareholder, owning 65% of the business. Thomasina and Mark share the remaining 45% with brothers Adam and Sam Kaye, who set up the Ask and Zizzi restaurant chains.
While Wahaca remains buoyant, other UK restaurant chains such as Prezzo, Byron, Jamie’s Italian, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and Giraffe, have had to close branches over the past year.
“Everyone is being hit,” says Mark: “Rent, rates, wages and food costs have gone up – no-one could have forecast this, it’s a perfect storm.”
As an example, he says that at Wahaca’s central London Soho branch, its annual rent has gone up from £300,000 to £800,000.
Image copyright
Wahaca
Image caption
The business partners often travel to Mexico together to explore new food ideas
Trish Caddy, senior food industry analyst at research group Mintel, says Wahaca will need to continue to focus on offering both good quality and good value for money, to tempt consumers who are cutting back on going out for meals.
“Although the ethnic restaurants market will continue to grow, much of that growth will come from businesses driving existing store performances on the back of strong brand management, menu development, and home delivery options.
“In other words, sit-down restaurant chains have become destination businesses, through offering healthier options, and a higher quality of food and drink and services.”
Against such a backdrop, there are no ambitious plans to open a Wahaca in every town and city.
“We’re always looking, but we’re not up for taking big risks,” says Mark: “But we’re constantly looking at our food and how to get it better.”
Thomasina, who also writes cookery books, adds: “What we want in the next 10 years is for people to say should we go for tacos, pizza or a burger in the same sentence.
“When that’s happening, I feel like we’ve achieved what we wanted to do.”
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A Foodie’s Guide of Where to Eat in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is blessed with a multitude of great places to eat and drink as well as local Scottish produce of the highest quality. We were recently invited to discover the region’s culinary delights on a foodie exploration of Edinburgh, Fife and St. Andrew’s by Visit Scotland. We’ll be sharing more about our adventures along the picturesque coastline soon, but for now let’s head to Scotland’s capital for our guide of where to eat in Edinburgh.
Coffee and doughnuts at Baba Budan
If you’re a fan of doughnuts then don’t miss the delicious ones on offer at Baba Budan, Located in the new Waverley Arches development, they also have plans to bring their artisan coffee and doughnuts to markets across the city. The doughnut fillings change regularly – we were tempted by the chocolate one, after a tasty mushroom and poached eggs on toast. Coffee is equally flavourful, with Square Mile and Coffee Collective being their preferred suppliers.
Contemporary Indian dining at Dishoom
For Indian dining with a contemporary twist, you can’t beat Dishoom, one of our favourite places to eat in Edinburgh. Located in a handsome stone building on St Andrew Square, the restaurant is an homage to Sir Patrick Geddes, a Scottish botanist and town planner born in 1854. After improving living conditions in the Old Town in Edinburgh, he travelled to Bombay where he became a confidant of Gandhi and helped to plan many Indian cities.
Whilst Dishoom is new to Edinburgh, they’re very well established in London thanks to their succulent vegetable, fish and meat dishes. The atmosphere in their Edinburgh restaurant is vibrant with knowledgeable staff who will talk you through the many specialties on offer.
Try a lassi to go with your meal – these yoghurt based drinks are truly refreshing. Finish with kulfi on a stick, this Indian ice cream makes a perfect dessert.
Deli delights at Valvona and Crolla
Valvona & Crolla is well known as the oldest deli and Italian wine merchant in Scotland. From their foodhall situated on Elm Row to their new café on luxurious Multrees Walk and their outposts in Jenners department store and online delivery, they’ve been serving the UK since 1934. A family run business, they’re a great source for freshly baked bread, cheese, wine and much more. There’s even a book store that becomes a theatre during the Fringe Festival. We had the chance to sample their delicious produce, thanks to an innovative agreement with The Old Town Chambers. Our home from home in Edinburgh was a great base from which to explore the city and we’ll be writing about it in detail soon. Guests staying at these luxury serviced apartments can choose to receive a fantastic breakfast box with a lovely selection of food. The gold box decorated with green ribbon is a work of art in itself.
Inside you’ll find an array of cold meats, specialty cheeses, fresh fruit, bread, pastries and organic fruit juice. A great way to start your day in style!
Foraged food at Forage and Chatter
Forage & Chatter is a dining experience like no other, tucked away in Edinburgh’s West End. They focus on locally sourced Scottish cuisine, with much of the menu having been sourced by an expert licensed forager. Owner and manager Cameron McNeil called on his family to assist with the restaurant, and his mother has overseen the interior design. There are cosy booths decorated with Balmoral tweed and an airy conservatory to the rear with tables designed by Cameron’s brother, Nicholas.
They’re currently ranked number 2 on TripAdvisor, and aiming to be number 1. We can certainly see why they’re so popular – this is the first time that we’ve been asked if the temperature suited us in a restaurant, and that’s just one example of their attentiveness. As for the food, it comes from within a 25 mile radius with some ingredients having been foraged, such as the mushrooms in this mouthwatering carpaccio of goats cheese and herbs.
A starter of BBQ pork shoulder with crispy squid, radish and cauliflower was equally good, as was a main course of West Coast hake with onion, dill, courgettes and wild leeks. We enjoyed it with a tasty side of garlic and ginger broccoli. The wine list is made up of interesting wines that tell a story. They’re great value, like the set lunches at 2 courses for £14.95 and 3 courses for £17.95. For dessert, we recommend the Vahlrona Chocolate with malt and peanuts or the local Scottish cheese platter.
Italian small plates at Contini
You can’t help but be impressed by the beautiful exterior of Contini George Street. Formerly a bank, it’s now a cool restaurant that successfully combines Italian flare with the very best Scottish ingredients. Victor and Carina Contini run several popular eateries, including Cannonball near Edinburgh Castle and The Scottish Café and Restaurant within The Scottish National Gallery.
The interior is equally impressive, with an elegant bar where you can enjoy an aperitivo. They have a an excellent aperitivo menu with any 3 dishes of your choice served with a glass of Prosecco for £15 from Monday to Friday between 3 and 7 pm.
We were here though to sample the a la carte menu, with a lovely selection of dishes. Highlights included crispy risotto balls with mozzarella di bufala, stracchino cow’s milk cheese and wild garlic pesto, as well as the raw fennel salad with Tarocco orange, green olives and acacia honey. The pasta here is cooked al dente to retain flavour and our dish of fresh recchiette with Italian piccante sausage, cremini and dried porcini mushrooms with rocket, fresh cream and Parmigiano Reggiano was a real treat.
Quirky cafe at Roseleaf
Roseleaf Café is located in Leith near the port and Royal Yacht Britannia, so handy if you’re planning a visit there. Established in 2007, they’re family run and a cross between a gastro pub, cafe and bistro. Decorated with vintage furniture, hats from around the world and other quirky finds, they’re open from 10 am to 10 pm every day. Everything is cooked from scratch, using the best sustainable and seasonal produce.
Try a burger with Scottish mature cheddar and tomato relish, served in a homemade toasted sesame seed bun. The hand cut double dipped chips are pretty tasty too! Wash it down with a real ale or a Pot-Tail aka a cocktail in a teapot!
For dessert, the triple chocolate cake with Scottish raspberries and ice cream is a good pick, and their cakes are available to take home too. By the way, if you happen to be visiting Royal Yacht Britannia, make sure to try some of their delicious fudge which is made onboard.
Secret bar at Panda and Sons
Hidden in plain sight on Queen Street, you’ll find Panda & Sons speakeasy.
It’s disguised as a barber shop, but if you head down the stairs you’ll find a bookcase that’s a secret entrance to the bar behind. There are many eccentric touches inside, like hairdressing chairs, a vintage phone booth and cocktails served up in unusual containers. They also do a good line in craft beers and wine too.
Tea and chocolate tasting at Eteaket
Eteaket is making a name for itself as one of Scotland’s most successful food producers. Their high quality teas are in demand with restaurants and hotels worldwide. Members of the public can sample them in their Tea Room on Frederick Street and Concept Store on Rose Street. In the award winning Tea Room you’ll find a charming cafe open seven days a week as well as a range of eteaket teas to take away. Depending on the time of day, you might prefer a lunch dish like this succulent burger served on vintage crockery, or their renowned afternoon tea. The friendly staff bring you a timer with your cuppa, so that your tea is infused for just the right duration. If you fancy something different, there are tea cocktails, iced teas and tea lattes.
Over on Rose Street, eteaket’s Concept Store has a fantastic array of tea ware and gifts. We recommend the Tea Flight, a pairing of 5 different teas and tea-infused chocolate – it’s a real eye opener. Founder Erica Moore or one of her friendly colleagues will take you on a journey through the world of tea, starting with the tea plant itself. They adapt the tea tasting to your preferences and there are some interesting creations to try such as their Isle of Harris Gin Tea. Rest assured that it’s non-alcoholic and caffeine free!
Watch as the tea is brewed before your eyes in a Syphon machine and enjoy the innovative flavours of eteaket’s loose leaf teas and chocolate.
Other Places to Eat in Edinburgh
We didn’t get time to visit these culinary hotspots also recommended to us:
• The Kitchin – Tom Kitchin’s canalside restaurant in Leith
• Le Roi Fou – Jerome Henry’s French restaurant on Forth Street
• Martin Wishart – Michelin starred dining in Leith
• The Wee Restaurant – Scottish cuisine on Frederick Street
• Timberyard – locally sourced food in a warehouse space
However, we’d love to hear your recommendations of where to eat in Edinburgh, as we’ll definitely be back!
The post A Foodie’s Guide of Where to Eat in Edinburgh appeared first on Luxury Columnist.
A Foodie’s Guide of Where to Eat in Edinburgh published first on http://ift.tt/2pewpEF
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Cocktail Delivery Nottingham
If you are looking for the best cocktail bars in London you won't want to miss, from high-end mixologist labs then have a look at heads + tails, the restaurants with impressive drinks menus and enjoy Cocktail Delivery Nottingham.
#Cocktail Delivery Edinburgh#Best Cocktails With Gin#Classic Cocktails UK#Special Alcohol Delivery England#Cocktail Delivery Scotland
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A Foodie’s Guide of Where to Eat in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is blessed with a multitude of great places to eat and drink as well as local Scottish produce of the highest quality. We were recently invited to discover the region’s culinary delights on a foodie exploration of Edinburgh, Fife and St. Andrew’s by Visit Scotland. We’ll be sharing more about our adventures along the picturesque coastline soon, but for now let’s head to Scotland’s capital for our guide of where to eat in Edinburgh.
Coffee and doughnuts at Baba Budan
If you’re a fan of doughnuts then don’t miss the delicious ones on offer at Baba Budan, Located in the new Waverley Arches development, they also have plans to bring their artisan coffee and doughnuts to markets across the city. The doughnut fillings change regularly – we were tempted by the chocolate one, after a tasty mushroom and poached eggs on toast. Coffee is equally flavourful, with Square Mile and Coffee Collective being their preferred suppliers.
Contemporary Indian dining at Dishoom
For Indian dining with a contemporary twist, you can’t beat Dishoom, one of our favourite places to eat in Edinburgh. Located in a handsome stone building on St Andrew Square, the restaurant is an homage to Sir Patrick Geddes, a Scottish botanist and town planner born in 1854. After improving living conditions in the Old Town in Edinburgh, he travelled to Bombay where he became a confidant of Gandhi and helped to plan many Indian cities.
Whilst Dishoom is new to Edinburgh, they’re very well established in London thanks to their succulent vegetable, fish and meat dishes. The atmosphere in their Edinburgh restaurant is vibrant with knowledgeable staff who will talk you through the many specialties on offer.
Try a lassi to go with your meal – these yoghurt based drinks are truly refreshing. Finish with kulfi on a stick, this Indian ice cream makes a perfect dessert.
Deli delights at Valvona and Crolla
Valvona & Crolla is well known as the oldest deli and Italian wine merchant in Scotland. From their foodhall situated on Elm Row to their new café on luxurious Multrees Walk and their outposts in Jenners department store and online delivery, they’ve been serving the UK since 1934. A family run business, they’re a great source for freshly baked bread, cheese, wine and much more. There’s even a book store that becomes a theatre during the Fringe Festival. We had the chance to sample their delicious produce, thanks to an innovative agreement with The Old Town Chambers. Our home from home in Edinburgh was a great base from which to explore the city and we’ll be writing about it in detail soon. Guests staying at these luxury serviced apartments can choose to receive a fantastic breakfast box with a lovely selection of food. The gold box decorated with green ribbon is a work of art in itself.
Inside you’ll find an array of cold meats, specialty cheeses, fresh fruit, bread, pastries and organic fruit juice. A great way to start your day in style!
Foraged food at Forage and Chatter
Forage & Chatter is a dining experience like no other, tucked away in Edinburgh’s West End. They focus on locally sourced Scottish cuisine, with much of the menu having been sourced by an expert licensed forager. Owner and manager Cameron McNeil called on his family to assist with the restaurant, and his mother has overseen the interior design. There are cosy booths decorated with Balmoral tweed and an airy conservatory to the rear with tables designed by Cameron’s brother, Nicholas.
They’re currently ranked number 2 on TripAdvisor, and aiming to be number 1. We can certainly see why they’re so popular – this is the first time that we’ve been asked if the temperature suited us in a restaurant, and that’s just one example of their attentiveness. As for the food, it comes from within a 25 mile radius with some ingredients having been foraged, such as the mushrooms in this mouthwatering carpaccio of goats cheese and herbs.
A starter of BBQ pork shoulder with crispy squid, radish and cauliflower was equally good, as was a main course of West Coast hake with onion, dill, courgettes and wild leeks. We enjoyed it with a tasty side of garlic and ginger broccoli. The wine list is made up of interesting wines that tell a story. They’re great value, like the set lunches at 2 courses for £14.95 and 3 courses for £17.95. For dessert, we recommend the Vahlrona Chocolate with malt and peanuts or the local Scottish cheese platter.
Italian small plates at Contini
You can’t help but be impressed by the beautiful exterior of Contini George Street. Formerly a bank, it’s now a cool restaurant that successfully combines Italian flare with the very best Scottish ingredients. Victor and Carina Contini run several popular eateries, including Cannonball near Edinburgh Castle and The Scottish Café and Restaurant within The Scottish National Gallery.
The interior is equally impressive, with an elegant bar where you can enjoy an aperitivo. They have a an excellent aperitivo menu with any 3 dishes of your choice served with a glass of Prosecco for £15 from Monday to Friday between 3 and 7 pm.
We were here though to sample the a la carte menu, with a lovely selection of dishes. Highlights included crispy risotto balls with mozzarella di bufala, stracchino cow’s milk cheese and wild garlic pesto, as well as the raw fennel salad with Tarocco orange, green olives and acacia honey. The pasta here is cooked al dente to retain flavour and our dish of fresh recchiette with Italian piccante sausage, cremini and dried porcini mushrooms with rocket, fresh cream and Parmigiano Reggiano was a real treat.
Quirky cafe at Roseleaf
Roseleaf Café is located in Leith near the port and Royal Yacht Britannia, so handy if you’re planning a visit there. Established in 2007, they’re family run and a cross between a gastro pub, cafe and bistro. Decorated with vintage furniture, hats from around the world and other quirky finds, they’re open from 10 am to 10 pm every day. Everything is cooked from scratch, using the best sustainable and seasonal produce.
Try a burger with Scottish mature cheddar and tomato relish, served in a homemade toasted sesame seed bun. The hand cut double dipped chips are pretty tasty too! Wash it down with a real ale or a Pot-Tail aka a cocktail in a teapot!
For dessert, the triple chocolate cake with Scottish raspberries and ice cream is a good pick, and their cakes are available to take home too. By the way, if you happen to be visiting Royal Yacht Britannia, make sure to try some of their delicious fudge which is made onboard.
Secret bar at Panda and Sons
Hidden in plain sight on Queen Street, you’ll find Panda & Sons speakeasy.
It’s disguised as a barber shop, but if you head down the stairs you’ll find a bookcase that’s a secret entrance to the bar behind. There are many eccentric touches inside, like hairdressing chairs, a vintage phone booth and cocktails served up in unusual containers. They also do a good line in craft beers and wine too.
Tea and chocolate tasting at Eteaket
Eteaket is making a name for itself as one of Scotland’s most successful food producers. Their high quality teas are in demand with restaurants and hotels worldwide. Members of the public can sample them in their Tea Room on Frederick Street and Concept Store on Rose Street. In the award winning Tea Room you’ll find a charming cafe open seven days a week as well as a range of eteaket teas to take away. Depending on the time of day, you might prefer a lunch dish like this succulent burger served on vintage crockery, or their renowned afternoon tea. The friendly staff bring you a timer with your cuppa, so that your tea is infused for just the right duration. If you fancy something different, there are tea cocktails, iced teas and tea lattes.
Over on Rose Street, eteaket’s Concept Store has a fantastic array of tea ware and gifts. We recommend the Tea Flight, a pairing of 5 different teas and tea-infused chocolate – it’s a real eye opener. Founder Erica Moore or one of her friendly colleagues will take you on a journey through the world of tea, starting with the tea plant itself. They adapt the tea tasting to your preferences and there are some interesting creations to try such as their Isle of Harris Gin Tea. Rest assured that it’s non-alcoholic and caffeine free!
Watch as the tea is brewed before your eyes in a Syphon machine and enjoy the innovative flavours of eteaket’s loose leaf teas and chocolate.
Other Places to Eat in Edinburgh
We didn’t get time to visit these culinary hotspots also recommended to us:
• The Kitchin – Tom Kitchin’s canalside restaurant in Leith
• Le Roi Fou – Jerome Henry’s French restaurant on Forth Street
• Martin Wishart – Michelin starred dining in Leith
• The Wee Restaurant – Scottish cuisine on Frederick Street
• Timberyard – locally sourced food in a warehouse space
However, we’d love to hear your recommendations of where to eat in Edinburgh, as we’ll definitely be back!
The post A Foodie’s Guide of Where to Eat in Edinburgh appeared first on Luxury Columnist.
A Foodie’s Guide of Where to Eat in Edinburgh published first on http://ift.tt/2pewpEF
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