A good name can boost a business so top marks to YummyTori, a soon to launch restaurant on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road, which specialises in yakitori or Japanese style grilled chicken.
As well as grilled meats on skewers, the owners are putting a lot of effort into their cocktails. Featuring everything from sake to lychees, their list aims to offer something different in Edinburgh. A typical example would be the Cherry Blossom Margarita made with tequila, sake, cherry syrup and lime juice.
Interestingly, Yummy Tori is setting up shop in a former Italian restaurant which perhaps seems indicative of more general trends in Edinburgh’s theatre district.
There are still lots of Italian options in and around Lothian Road but YummyTori will arrive on the back of the recently opened Wagamama and, on Grindlay Street, Kanpai, the sushi restaurant which won the Best Newcomer Award at this year’s Scottish Restaurant Awards.
Perhaps because of these changes, the long standing Izzi Japanese restaurant also seems to be in the throes of a refurb at the moment. Whichever way you cut it, pan-Asian restaurants seem to be gaining in popularity in Edinburgh in general but especially around Lothian Road.
Not that’s its all noodles, sushi and sashimi in Edinburgh’s theatreland. Book through 5pm and Kama Sutra will give you 20% off your a la carte Indian meal while Zucca’s pre-theatre menu offers plenty of Italian options for anybody keen to get a bite in before catching a show at the Lyceum or the Usher Hall.