The Hilton Edinburgh Carlton Hotel is holding its official relaunch party this week after a multi-million pound refurbishment.
Among the changes are the introduction of a new bar lounge – called Nineteen Hundred after the year that the hotel first opened – and a new branch of Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill.
The 5pm Dining blog visited last week to experience their gin cocktail class and the new menu in the bar lounge.
Scottish gins, especially Edinburgh Gin, are prominent on the gantry at Nineteen Hundred and the cocktail menu makes good use of them.
Scottish drinks
We particularly liked the Highland Iced Tea which, along with other spirits, combines Edinburgh Gin plus Scottish Valt vodka and Dark Matter rum which is distilled in Banchory.
Groups are welcome to book in for the cocktail master classes (call 0131 472 300) which are held in Nineteen Hundred. See below for a Bee’s Knees cocktail recipe.
It’s a smart, airy and contemporary bar space with striking marble bar. Pride of place goes to the copper and brass Elektra coffee machine.
It’s an eye-catching piece of kit which looks as if it might have come from some sort of steam punk adventure film.
The food menu in the bar has a list of familiar sandwiches and a selection of adventurous main courses. For example, the roasted, corn-fed chicken breast is served with chilli and lime-stewed lentils plus broccolini.
There is also a burger, rib-eye steak, fish ‘n’ chips and wild mushroom crepes on the menu.
A stand out dish was the charcuterie sharing platter. Generous portions of chorizo, smoked Scottish venison and Iberico ham were accompanied by sundried tomatoes, olives, various breads and an apple and fig chutney. At £12.95, it seems a tasty bargain.
Rock stars
As part of the refurbishment, the hotel has done a bit of historical digging and it makes for fascinating reading.
Along with The Scotsman building, The North British Hotel (now The Balmoral) and the former Post Office building, The Carlton Hotel was one of the four towers which help hold up The North Bridge linking the Old and New Towns.
The original Carlton Hotel had only 60 rooms but it eventually expanded and incorporated the Patrick Thompson department store next door.
During the Eighties and Nineties, it was popular with bands performing at the Playhouse and hosted the likes of Cliff Richard, The Stranglers and Alice Cooper.
This is a recipe for a Bee’s Knees cocktail. It will be added to the bar’s cocktail menu as a festive tipple for December.
Bee’s Knees
2tsp honey water
50ml Edinburgh Christmas Gin
15ml lemon juice
To make the honey water, dissolve two teaspoons of honey in two teaspoons of hot water and allow to cool.
Mix all the ingredients and shake over ice.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
