Posts by Kenny Smith
Actor Gregor Fisher discusses his favourite whisky
The Rab C Nesbitt actor tells us about Scotland’s national drink. Do you remember the first time you drank whisky? Yes, my mother was never a big drinker, but she always enjoyed a whisky and lemonade and would make me one too. That was the tipple of the time. It would be something very ordinary,…
Read MoreBaba offers good value and fantastic flavours
Baba Any restaurant which is the brainchild of the team behind Glasgow’s stunning Ox and Finch was always going to have me rushing to sample it. Throw in the fact that the Middle Eastern-inspired Baba describes itself as a ‘mezze, charcoal grill and cocktail bar’ and I’m all in. Taking up the whole ground floor…
Read MoreRevamp will have you coming back for more
White Horse Oyster Bar If you consider yourself to be a foodie, then get a date in the diary to road-test The White Horse Oyster Bar as soon as possible. This is one of the best new launches in the capital in recent memory, with an old man’s boozer transformed into a fantastic – and…
Read MoreCapital’s second Cafe Andaluz has top tapas on tap
Cafe Andaluz With the George Street cafe having been a firm favourite for many years, it was no surprise to hear of a second premises opening on George IV Bridge. The new offering is decorated in a classic Spanish style with modern touches and our table had an incredible view of the castle and George…
Read MoreWhen the steaks are high head to Gaucho
Gaucho Love and marriage, a horse and a carriage, steak and Malbec – the latter doesn’t have quite the same ring, but it’s still a match made in heaven. And Gaucho is Nirvana for fans of this particular pairing. With impressively high-end décor, the restaurant lies beneath a small bar area and is resplendent with…
Read MoreBring a proper ray of sunshine into your palate
Trenchtown Stepping into sunny, Jamaican eatery, Trenchtown, with its pineapple-coloured booths and head-bopping soundtrack, is a treat in itself. To start, we tried Fiery Fried Squid, Garlic and Chilli BBQ King Prawns and the deliciously doughy Trinidadian Doubles – each moreish, if a little filling. For mains the chunky Red Snapper had an eye-watering side…
Read MoreWhen good things come in small packages
The Fat Pony This addition to David Ramsden’s culinary menagerie is a wine bar serving small plates of loveliness. Chef, Rose Gregory creates these wee gems in a kitchen so tiny that it barely exists. There’s a choice of charcuterie and cheese boards and a selection of tapas-style plates on the menu. We found it…
Read MoreFantastic options for all from right, centre and Leftfield
Leftfield Size doesn’t matter, as the old saying goes. That’s definitely the case with the bijou LeftField in Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield. The establishment may be small, but it’s big on taste and outstanding flavours, with first-class service. My starter of charred tenderstem broccoli, avocado and ryebread was a delight for the palate, as was my dining…
Read MoreWaterside views and a fantastic menu make it the Toast of Edinburgh
Toast Toast offers waterside views, a large range of wines, sharing platters and six constantly updated seasonal dishes. We loved the beetroot, hummus and feta, mushrooms and polenta, slow roast pork belly, calamari, and chorizo and Iberian black pudding stew. Sommelier Seli suggested The Tea Leaf, a fresh, fruity South African Chenin Blanc, which went…
Read MoreFood indulgence is at the heart of the Bistro Deluxe menu
Bistro Deluxe by Paul Tamburrini Attached to the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel, but with its own, rather grand entrance, Bistro Deluxe is the first solo project by Paul Tamburrini. Don’t be surprised if you recognise the name, Tamburrini has an impressive 30 year pedigree, working with Marco Pierre White in London before moving on to some…
Read More