][1]Today’s the last day for the 5pm Dining blog until we return, gently burping, on Friday.
We wish our readers a very Merry Christmas and, in case you get stuck for reading material over the festives, here’s our first instalment of the 5pm Dining blog round-up of 2013.
January
Blackwoods Bar and Grill officially launched in Edinburgh’s New Town. Good use of the Josper grill and a fine single grain whisky were among the stand-out points of the launch from this scribbler’s point of view.
The Huxley opened in the Rutland Hotel at the bottom of Edinburgh’s Lothian Road. Their hot dog menu added to the throng of gourmet street food bars which have become such a feature of the city centre bars in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Restaurant Mark Greenaway launches in its new home on North Castle Street.
][6]The papers are full of the horse meat scandal. Fred Berkmiller, chef patron at Edinburgh’s L’escargot Bleu and L’escargot Blanc, wisely makes the most of the situation by giving quotes to several national newspapers in which he tells everyone how delicious horse is. Sales of horse steaks at the Escargot restaurants rocket.
The blog reports that Cocktail & Burger has opened on Sauchiehall Street. In hindsight, it may have opened during the tail end of 2012 but we’re not going to let that stop us.
It’s the brainchild of Colin Barr and is among the first wave of burger bars to colonise Glasgow’s restaurant scene.
February
We report on Bar Soba opening in Edinburgh. The pan-Asian kitchen and bar had already long been a hit in Glasgow.
Motorhead launch their own beer. Naturally, it’s called Bastards.
][13]The craft beer revolution continues apace as Munro’s turns on the taps on Glasgow’s Great Western Road.
After a couple of false starts, the Kelvingrove Cafe comes to life on the west end of Argyle Street.
It bills itself as ‘Glasgow’s 1st proper Cocktail Bar Diner’ and claims to ‘channel the spirit of Brooklyn and Paris’. The opening helps cement Finnieston’s growing reputation as the most hip and happening ‘hood for Glasgow bars and restaurants.
March
][16]The Scran & Scallie, the latest venture from the Michelin-starred team behind The Kitchin and Castle Terrace restaurants, opens in Stockbridge.
The Hard Rock Cafe in Edinburgh celebrated its fifteenth birthday party. Your correspondent woke up the morning after the party to discover that I had won the auction for a guitar signed by all the members of Iron Maiden. Mixed emotions.
The Ashoka World Buffet opens on Edinburgh’s Hanover Street. It’s the first time that the mighty Ashoka empire establishes a foothold in the capital.
Edinburgh River Life on Dalry Road joins 5pm. Surely the first French and Caribbean restaurant in the city?
Iron Maiden launch their own beer called The Trooper. Alternative titles include Run to the Pils, The Number of the Yeast and Bring Your Porter to the Slaughter.
The Vintage Bar opens in Leith. Yes, it is another craft ale bar but the food… Oh, the food…. It’s several cuts above the usual dude food/street food offering. Try the charcuterie.
Ever wondered how to open a port bottle with a feather? Click here.