BIG BURRITO

Bars and Restaurants are now closing at 10pm so make sure you book early. Many restaurants are now opening up during the day too.

Monday to Wednesday next week - 28th to 30th September - is the last week of the Eat Out to Help Out Extension. Here’s a handy list of Edinburgh and Lothian restaurants that are still taking part.

EAT OUT TO HELP OUT EXTENSION LIST

Luxury Lobster Boxes from Haar at Home - its National Lobster Day (Friday 25th September) and Haar at Home are offering free shipping when you use discount code LOBSTER. Read my review of their Luxury Lobster & Crab Home Delivery Box here

The Highland Liquor Company - have unveiled its new Seven Crofts ‘Fisherman’s Strength’ gin from its small distillery in the Northwest Highlands. The second edition in its portfolio, this new navy strength bottling, will be on sale from October 9th 2020 and follows the success of its award-winning Seven Crofts Gin launched just last year. Bottled at 57% ABV, the small batch gin is hand distilled and has a flavour profile that’s juniper led with forest floor notes coming through and notes of ripe blueberry, cracked black pepper, pink pepper and touch of spicy coriander.

Seven Crofts Fisherman’s Strength uses a distinctive blend of traditional and signature botanicals including coriander, pink peppercorns, cubebs, cardamom, angelica and fresh lemon peel. Some are added straight into the pot while others are steamed to preserve their delicate character. A perfect accompaniment to fish and seafood, best enjoyed in a martini or classic G&T with a slice or twist of orange. Founded by Helen Chalmers and Robert Hicks, The Highland Liquor Company is based in Ullapool. Like Seven Crofts, which is named after the original seven private dwellings that made up Ullapool in 1791, Fisherman’s Strength’s name was inspired by its setting. Fishermen’s Strength celebrates the village’s thriving fishing community and the fact that Ullapool was originally founded for the British Fisheries Society.

Heroes Vodka - is a super-premium, luxury vodka brand with an authentic and heartfelt connection to the UK Armed Forces. Chris Gillan, an Edinburgh-based military veteren, created this special vodka to give something back to the men and women who have served our country. Heroes Drink Company is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to employing injured veterans and supporting the forces’ charities by pledging donations from sales. The company supports all three services equally and has formed partnership with the Royal Navy & Royal Marine Charity, the Army Benevolent Fund and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Heroes Vodka recently won a gold award in the International Wine and Spirits Competition - in a blind taste test. You can purchase it here 

TARTANSPOON WEEKLY WRAP - NEWS FOR YOU TO DIGEST

Divino Enoteca, Edinburgh - are running a special Taste the Regions of Italy, Puglia dinner on Sunday 4th October. I’ve dined here for the Emilia Romagna and the Piemonte regions, and both we fabulous. Read my reviews here : Emilia Romagna and Piemonte

Mackies Chocolate - Scotland’s sweetest brands announces the launch of its first new chocolate flavour since the original range hit supermarket shelves. Two years of taste-testing in the making, the creamy milk chocolate, fresh orange zing and satisfying crunch of honeycomb promises to delight people of all ages. The renowned product development team worked with a special external consultant to create the perfect flavour, refined from hundreds of versions across multiple trials. Determined to satisfy customers and develop a flavour worthy of joining its celebrated chocolate range, Mackie’s pulled out all the stops to refine the final product. Tonnes of chocolate were made and tasted with many promising experiments. However, it took years of tweaking and trailing to cultivate the chocolate bar that will hit the shelves of major supermarkets; many of which are already expressing a keen interest in the new release.

The Ivy, Edinburgh and Glasgow - have launched their new Autumn menu. Discover their hearty roasted butternut squash risotto with grilled goat's cheese with sage and watercress or for those after something sweet, why not try their fig and pistachio feuiletté, a hazelnut financier with a crispy pastry top served with yoghurt sorbet and cream.

Glenmorangie Whisky - Glenmorangie celebrates the joy of cake in its new expression – a sweet and indulgent single malt Scotch whisky named A Tale of Cake. Inspired by favourite memories of baking, birthdays and more, Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake celebrates all that is good about cake. The brand have teamed up with award-winning pastry chef Dominique Ansel, who has created a cake and cocktail pairing – a or caketail – that complements the whisky’s notes of honey, white chocolate and fruit. Priced at £75 you can purchase it from a variety of whisky online retailers.

Otro, Edinburgh - sad news is that popular and well loved restaurant Otro in Edinburgh East End will not be re-opening BUT you can still dine at their sister restaurant New Chapter on Eyre Street.

Eden Mill - will have five Christmas pop-ups this year and here’s where : St Andrews, Livingston Designer Outlet, Glasgow Princes Square and Silverburn and one in Aberdeen at Union Square. Alongside Eden Mill’s festive offering, customers will be treated to a choice of classic Eden Mill gins, liqueurs, single malt whisky and limited-edition bottles.

• St Andrews, Market Street opens September 22, 7 days

• Livingston Designer Outlet opens September 22, 7 days

• Glasgow Princes Square opens early October, 7 days

• Glasgow Silverburn opens mid-October, 7 days

• Aberdeen, Union Square opens early November, 7 days.

Eteaket -  famous limited edition Pumpkin Chai is back for autumn by popular demand available up until Christmas. Indulge your senses this Autumn with their limited edition Pumpkin Chai tea. Real pumpkin pieces and pumpkin seeds give this black tea a silky smooth finish. Combined with a liberal sprinkling of spices, this tea evokes sensations of crisp autumnal days. Warming and velvety smooth and perfectly served as a tea latte, cold brew, hot toddy, pumpkin cake, cocktail or simply straight up. Available to buy online from Eteaket directly on www.eteaket.co.uk  their tea room on Frederick Street and their concept store on Rose Street, priced at £7.95 for 100g.

Kahani Indian Street Food restaurant, Edinburgh - superb Indian food. Read my review here

Brewhemia, Edinburgh - prepare for Oktoberfest with their Bavarian food menu and great beers. Read my review here

Isle of Harris Gin - are set to open a new gin bar in Glasgow. You’ll find it above Cafe Gandolfi, Merchant City and will be open Thursday to Saturday evenings until mid December. Guests will book an intimate isle of Harris experience which will include three bespoke cocktails and a sorbet, with three seafood pairings. Each session is limited to 16 people. Book online here

Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival - will go ahead this year in a larger outdoor space - Outside at the Corn Exchange on the 9th and 10th October. Purchase tickets here

@pizza, Edinburgh - are crowdfunding to bring you the first ever pizza drive thru in Edinburgh. If you’ve got some spare cash and want to invest in cheesy goodness, here are the investment opportunities

And that’s a wrap for this week folks!

Adele x