][1]While many of us may wish that we could hibernate our way through January, the restaurant trade has been a hive of activity.
Among the more interesting busy bees is Boteco do Brasil which promises all the moods, foods and drinks from Brasil but on Glasgow’s Trongate. It’s open now but launches properly on Saturday 30 January. February could be wild as Boteco is planning a Mardi Gras week beginng the 22 February.
In Edinburgh, The Olive Branch on George IV Bridge has just become The Cellar Door. The chef, Eden Sinclair, remains the same but everything else has changed. Downstairs is a bistro serving dishes such as beef stroganoff and roast chicken as well as a grill section that includes a Chateaubriand. Upstairs, fancy cakes, fresh-baked bread and hand-made chocolates are the name of the game.
In all the excitement about the Michelin guide stars being leaked early, we overlooked the news that Tony’s Table was the only Scottish restaurant to be given Bib Gourmand status. The Bib Gourmand recognises places that serve ‘good food at moderate prices’. Congrats to Tony Singh.
In Aberdeen, Malmaison has teamed up with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Until now members have been able to enjoy the Society’s single cask, single malt whiskies in its three members-only venues in the UK. From today, people can sip the Society’s malts in the Aberdeen Malmaison’s freshly opened whisky lounge, a spot which has already been nicknamed the Whisky Snuggle.