Over the last few days, the 5pm Dining blog has havered about some fab new places which have opened in Glasgow.
The East Coast’s restaurateurs have been just as busy.
First up, The Bellevue Bar on Edinburgh’s London Street (by the bottom of Broughton Street) has become The Ox. Now run by the same team that have The Shore in Leith, it is a gastropub, bar and kitchen type combo.
The menu is split into small things, boards and bigger things.
Small things includes crispy squid with a sweet chilli jam; the house smoked pork belly with pickled carrot and apple plus the toothsome-sounding toast topped with courgettes, Isle of Mull cheddar and chilli.
The big things selection includes twice braised beef shin with mash, the house burger and hake with Puy lentils, beetroot and chard.
We hear good things about the Sunday roast.
You can see the menu here.
Tacos and tequila
On Thistle Street, the ever industrious people at The Bon Vivant have expanded across the road and opened El Cartel Casera Mexicana in the premises formerly occupied by Tex Mex 2.
At the time of writing, the menu is short and sweet. There are four starters: Mexcian street corn; jalapeno bombers, guac and fritters made with plantain and chorizo.
The main courses are a selection of tacos ranging from pulled pork to the rather more exotic ox tongue.
Tequilas, mezcal and margaritas feature prominently on the drinks menu.
