Photo of
May 12, 2015
Stylish gantry at Wolf and Water in Leith.
Stylish gantry at Wolf and Water in Leith.

It is all go on Edinburgh’s bar and restaurant scene.

Up in the Old Town, in the Quartermile development, Enzo has become No 8 Lister Square,

Formerly an Italian restaurant and bar, it is now billed as a ‘gastropub with a twist, offering traditional British dishes, a wide variety of drinks and live entertainment.’

The idea is to deliver an update on the local complete with a pool table and shabby chic furniture.

Boozy slushies

In Leith, Wolf and Water has opened on Commercial Street in the former Bond No9 premises.

According to their Facebook page, they offer a ‘contemporary restaurant, lively bar, cosy conservatory and large beer garden’.

What more could anyone need?

Well, how about boozy slushies?

According to this interview done by our chums on the STV Glasgow city app, four alcoholic slushies make up Wolf and Water’s signature drinks.

Meanwhile, there is plenty of water but, at least as far as we know, no wolves involved as Akva prepares to open in Fountainbridge by the Union Canal.

Anna and Mike Christopherson with the keys to Akva.
Anna and Mike Christopherson with the keys to Akva.

Taking shape in the former Cargo, the new venture is the sixth cafe bar from Anna and Mike Christopherson, the groovy Swedish couple  who also run Boda, Sofi’s, Victoria, Joseph Pearce’s and Hemma.

Jack’s back

As you might have guessed Akva is Swedish for water and the new bar’s food offering will have a distinctly Scandie-flavoured food offering. Think along the lines of a lunchtime smörgåsbord.

All being well, Akva should launch mid-June.

Mid-June, or thereabouts, is also pencilled in as the point when Illegal Jack’s will relaunch after a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Last year, the burrito restaurant had to close its original premises on Lothian Road after a disastrous water leak.

According to the Twittersphere, it also looks as though The Dogs could be expanding its pack once more. Things are at a very early stage but we hear that David Ramsden has plans for the Dundas Street basement premises where Shilla used to be.