Photo of
February 11, 2014

 

[Dundee's new Malmaison is giving a new lease of life to one of the city's more famous buildings][1]
Dundee’s new Malmaison is giving a new lease of life to one of the city’s more famous buildings.

Spring must be in the air as new bar, restaurants and hotels are popping up faster than daffodils fed on a diet of steroids and fertiliser.

First up, in Edinburgh, we hear that the long-standing Southsider bar is to re-open this week after a £100k refit.

Hot dogs, burgers and beer bite buckets appear to be the mainstay of the new food offering.

Sixty beers

Meanwhile, at Picardy Place, the bar underneath Steak is relaunching this week as Beer & Skittles. They’ve certainly got the beer bit off pat. The new venture will have nine draught beers and over sixty bottled varieties.

This week is also the launch week for Dundee’s Malmaison. Originally scheduled for last year, the opening ran into several delays but the new Mal is now up and running.

Swish bar

Formerly the old Tay Hotel, the latest Malmaison has 91 bedrooms, a 100 seat Brasserie with a Josper Grill and a rather swish Mal Bar.

Donald Russell steaks seem to be the centrepiece of the Mal menu. Dry aged on the bone for 28 days, they are seared at very high temperatures in the charcoal-powered Josper. You can see the full menu here.

The Mal Brasserie is also offering the ever popular Big Sunday Lunch which includes unlimited hors d’oeuvres from the Chef’s Table, a main course and dessert.

Bubble time

The 50 seat Mal Bar has a heated terrace and mezzanine level and will run whisky tastings and cocktail master classes. Every Friday evening the hotel’s exclusive Bubble Time promo will run from 5pm to 8pm offering speciality Champagne cocktails and offers on the bubbles.

Of course, you can see the full range of restaurants on 5pm Dining from here.

Our chums at STV have taken a look around the hotel and put together a lovely video which you can see here.