Congratulations to Fred Berkmiller, regular of the 5pm Dining blog and the chef patron at L’escargot blanc and bleu.
Along with Betty Jourjon, Fred has launched Bar à Vin on Queensferry Street in Edinburgh’s West End.
Serving French and Scottish cheese, charcuterie and wines, Bar à Vin has been created in the former barber shop beneath L’escargot blanc.
Handsome bar
It is a good looking space with a handsome wooden bar and clever wooden cask/stave serving trays.
The food on offer ranges from green olives from Lucques and Basque chorizo to Brittany sardines and andouille sausage from Guéméné.
The cheese and charcuterie change on a weekly basis with French produce sitting side by side with ingredients from artisan Scottish producers such as Peelham Farm.
Guests are welcome to nibble on a plate of saucisson or feast on a sharing platter.
There are some thirty French reds, whites and sparklers along with a handful of Champagnes. Pretty much all of the wines are available by the glass with prices starting at £3.50 and rising to £17 for a classic white Burgundy Meursault Les Pierres from Jean Chartron.
Wines paired with cheese
Many of the wines come with recommendations that they be paired with goat, cow or smoked cheese.
This scribbler is all for BBQ bars, bourbon and craft beer but we’re delighted to see alternatives on offer.
We’d like to wish Fred and Betty ‘Bon courage!’