Photo of
August 27, 2014

Yesterday, the 5pm Dining blog cast an eye on the new restaurants and bars popping up now or shortly in Glasgow.

Today, we’re heading eastside for a round-up of the news from the other side of the M8 and further afield.

The Jolly Botanist: raises a smile through the medium of gin.
The Jolly Botanist: raises a smile through the medium of gin.

We’re smacking our lips at the thought of The Jolly Botanist opening up soon on Morrison Street.

The premises used to be The Spider’s Web and we were too scared ever to venture in; although we understand that it used to play host to a long-running and popular rockabilly night.

Anyway, it’s been taken over by the company that has McSorleys on the Southside; Mother’s on Howe Street and the recently opened Cask and Still on Leith Walk.

The new venture will be gin-driven with over a hundred gins on offer. The kitchen is also being fitted out with a kitchen and, as well as a casual menu, there will be the option to have a three course dinner with matched gins.

To which we can only say “Yowsa!”

The Jolly Botanist is scheduled to open in September.

Las Iguanas in Edinburgh

We also note that Las Iguanas are fitting out the former north America travel agent premises on George Street.

The new branch will be the third Las Iguanas in Scotland after Aberdeen and Glasgow.

Start spreading the moos

In Aberdeen, The Boozy Cow has launched and is offering beers, burgers and ice cream floats on Netherkirkgate.

With neon lights and graffiti walls, it seems designed to look like a dive bar.

It’s part of the Speratus Group, which, among others, also has the Golf Tavern in Edinburgh; the Paramount bar and Illicit Still in Aberdeen plus the Amicus Apples in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

You can see the menus from here.

Choose your beef, chief, at The Boozy Cow in Aberdeen.
Choose your beef, chief, at The Boozy Cow in Aberdeen.