BIG BURRITO

The government has launched the Eat Out to Help Out scheme for restaurants, cafes, bar etc. This means that between the 3rd-30th August, on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you can get 50% off your bill (for food and non-alcoholic drinks only) to the maximum of £10 per person.

There are loads of businesses taking part in this scheme and it’s one of the easiest and tastiest ways to help our hospitality industry. What an awesome excuse to eat out 3 nights a week!

I have started to list as many Edinburgh and surrounding areas that are participating in this in, my Instagram Highlights www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17860889159041867/ - I’m adding more each day but use this government link to find a range of participating businesses in your area. Just pop in your postcode and make a booking.

www.tax.service.gov.uk/eat-out-to-help-out/find-a-restaurant/

TARTANSPOON WEEKLY WRAP - NEWS FOR YOU TO DIGEST

FOOD

MAMASAN GLASGOW - My review of Mamasan is up on my blog. What a fabulous way to say goodbye to lockdown. Read it here

WHITE HORSE OYSTER & SEAFOOD BAR EDINBURGH - fans of the White Horse and Oyster Bar will go mad for this At Home Delivery Service. The box costs £95 for the Seafood Feast and included is Grilled Lobster, Thermidor Sauce (includes lobster picks) Monkfish Satay, Toasted Peanuts Dressed Crab, Brown Crab Mayo Hand Dived Scallops, Nduja Butter Salt & Vinegar Fries Seaweed 'Slaw, Octo Dressing & Toasted Peanuts. Wow a feast indeed.

LITTLE CHARTROOM EDINBURGH - Edinburgh’s The Little Chartroom has announced it will be popping-up at the city’s seaside on the Prom at Portobello from 1 August. The new street food pod located at the western end of the Promenade will be serving up a tasty BBQ takeaway menu for beach revellers catching the tail end of the summer. The Little Chartroom on the Prom will share the same ethos as the restaurant, serving high quality morsels with elevated flavours. Fans of the restaurant can expect to see Lamb flatbread, smoked aubergine, tomato and anchovy sauce, and Ox cheek pastrami bun with black garlic, BBQ sauce and pickled red onion on the menu.

REASSURANCE HOUR - If you’re concerned around post-COVID health and safety measures in Scotland’s restaurants and bars then book an appointment with one of the Signature Group restaurants - Mclarens on the Corner, Cold Town House and Kyloe. They are all introducing ‘Reassurance Appointments’. The appointments - available to anyone looking to ask questions about social distancing policies and protective measures – will take place during a dedicated ‘Reassurance Hour’ prior to venue opening 7 days a week.

• McLarens on the Corner : appointments run from Monday - Wednesday 11am - 12noon

•  Cold Town House - appointments are open Sunday - Wednesday, 10am - 11.30am

•  Kyloe Restaurant - appointments run from Wednesday - Friday, 4 - 5pm and Saturday/Sunday 11am - 12noon.

Customers are being encouraged to contact Central Reservations on 0131 6563105 to book a Reassurance Appointment at any of those three venues.

111 BY MODOU GLASGOW - Talented young chef Modou Diagne will open his debut restaurant, 111 by Modou, in Glasgow's West End next month. The restaurant located at 111 Cleveden Road was slated to open in March with plans put on hold due to the Covid-19 crisis. But from the bombshell of the pandemic, chef Modou was determined to open his first restaurant project as soon as possible to showcase his stylish and experimental food offerings. Work is currently underway to transform the former 111 by Nico into a new restaurant. Timeless neutrals such as beige, ivory, taupe, black, gray and shades of white will be among the colours included into the interior design matched with dark furnishings and fixtures to create a cool, brighter and more airy dining space. The 46 cover restaurant will open with a reduced capacity of 28 and features will include an open kitchen and stylish, contemporary artwork. 

The twenty-six year old chef will offer guests the choice of a six course or four course seasonal tasting menu priced at £35 per person or £30 per person and available every Tuesday - Saturday. The popular 'Total Trust' concept - that Modou and his team were at the forefront of pioneering at 111 by Nico - will remain. 'Total Trust' will be available every Sunday priced at £23 per person and offer a five course menu designed entirely by the chef's choice of ingredients on the day. 

TATTU TO YOU, EDINBURGH, LEEDS, MANCHESTER AND BIRMINGHAM - A fairly substantial menu where you can choose which dishes you’d like delivered to you and that you finish off at home. There is limited capacity, so book early.

HAWKSMOOR EDINBURGH AND LONDON - Are serving up their famous Steak and Chips and sauce for £20 but with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme you can get it for £10. But be quick, spaces are filling up fast! www.thehawksmoor.com/locations/edinburgh/food/lunch-dinner/

THE SEAFOOD SHACK ULLAPOOL - Is a sustainable seafood van located in the heart of the small Scottish West Coast village of Ullapool. Eager to keep a little fresh seafood for their home town, Kirsty & Fenella launched a crowdfunding campaign and opened up shop as The Seafood Shack. The shack is now one of the foodie highlights of the North Coast 500, serving up whatever their fisherman pals bring them in the morning. Now, in their first book, they bring together all the recipes for the fresh, vibrant, ballsy dishes that have made The Seafood Shack such a Scottish treasure: from their famed Haddock & Pesto Wrap to the super-luxe Lobster Mac & Cheese to incredible super-local delicacies like Spiney Popcorn – it’s all here. £20 and available in November.

PRODUCTS

SCOTTY BRAND - have added Scottish cherries to their seasonal range of products; they are already well known for their strawberries and raspberries. Scottish cherries fill a viral gap in the cherry growing world market, as the cooler climate in Scotland means Scottish cherries are ready from late July, slightly later than the English season, and before other global cherry markets start to produce in great volumes. Scotty Brand berries as well as their Ayrshire New Potatoes are available in Asda stores nationwide.

ANIMA CRAFT ALES - Bellissimo Vino Edinburgh are the sole UK distributors of these craft ales that are made to be paired with food, specifically Italian food. They are corked, which adds to a sense of occasion and they range from a Blonde Ale to a Red Ale. There are 6 in the range all named after famous people like Cleopatra, Mozart and Dante. Prices start at £3.40 per bottle. Seriously good, drinkable ales. Full review coming next week.

DRINK

STRAWBAR - A new Strawberry Spirit from Greece. Read my full review here and check out my StrawBar Scot Cocktail Recipe.

STAGS BREATH - A fabulous Scottish whisky liqueur made in heart of Scotland, Newtonmore in the Cairngorms by the Meikle family. It’s a wonderfully liqueur made from whisky and comb honey so has a slight sweetness to it. Full review coming next week.

THE DRAM TEAM - read my review of this Whisky Subscription whisky tasting kit. Review here

SEA CHANGE WINE - I’m currently working with this brand. I love their ethos of protecting our oceans - the unnecessary plastic use and using our oceans as a dumping ground. Full review on their wines and their eco packaging coming next week.

TONIC ON THE TERRACE EDINBURGH - Tonic Bar have opened Tonic on the Terrace, on the corner of George and Castle Street. No need to book, just turn up. Open 1pm to 10pm every Wednesday to Sunday.

NEW WHISKY DISTILLERY, BENBECULA, OUTER HEBRIDES - This tiny island is set to get a second whisky distillery. The Uist Distilling Company will be investing over £6million in the new distillery and creating 25 new jobs. They will create a new Island malt as well as rum and gin.

OUT AND ABOUT

THE WEST END VILLAGE EDINBURGH - the Wonderful local businesses of Edinburgh's West End are coming together to create 'The West End Village' in the south lawn of St mary's Cathedral from 6th - 30th August 2020. This will be an open-air market and chill out space where everyone can come along and enjoy some food, a drink, join in outdoor yoga classes, shop around some of our local pop-up shops and on weekends some entertainment.

PERTH AND FIFE FARMERS MARKETS - have changed their locations due to Covid and social distancing. Perth Farmers Market - on Saturday in the South Inch Car park; and Fife Farmers Market St Andrews at the North Car Park just of Argyle Street and Doubledykes Road (just around the corner from the main Bus Station) on Saturday 1st August from 9 - 1pm.

MUSS BAR AND KITCHEN, MUSSELBURGH - have opened. What looks to be a great and very welcome bar and kitchen to the Musselburgh town. They have a lovely outdoor terrace too.

MY TOP PICKS TO EAT OUT TO HELP OUT IN EDINBURGH

• Divino Enoteca

• New Chapter

• Rabble

• Urban Fox

• Malmaison

• Kyloe

• Fingal

• Pier Brasserie

• Woodland Creatures

• The Beachhouse Portobello

Have a great weekend folks! Stay safe

Adele x