The Edinburgh Reporter April 2022

17
Food fit for
a King
Johnnie Walker lords it over city
I RECENTLY enjoyed the
company of a sharply
dressed man. Well nearly,
I actually spent a splendid
evening in the new home of
Johnnie Walker taking in the
fabulous Princes Street and
Edinburgh Castle views
from their rooftop bar, the
exquisite setting of the
Explorer’s Bothy and
sampling some astonishing
food and whisky pairings.
If you haven’t ventured in
there yet then, as they say,
“keep walking” until you get
there. The tour is innovative
and exciting but the
transformation of the drab
old House of Fraser store
into an utter jewel is a sight
to behold.
At their Flavours From
The Four Corners of
Scotland dinner hosted by
the charming Global Brand
Ambassador, Tim Philips-
Johansson, Diageo Head
Chef in Residence Mark
Moriarty’s attention to
detail was remarkable.
Although I don’t have a
sweet tooth, my favourite
pairing of the evening was a
Honey Vanilla Caramel
Custard with Redcurrant,
Hazelnut and Sorrel,
matched with Glenkinchie
12, Wild Elderberry,
Guinness Reduction topped
with a Lagavoulin Ice Cream.
Boozy heaven from Head
Bartender, Miran Chauhan.
The Man in the Top Hat
tells me that the views from
the spectacular rooftop bar
are enjoyed all day with
many retired locals
partaking of their morning
coffee and newspaper.
Meeting under the old Binns
Clock, this would make the
ultimate date night venue.
Juliet Lawrence Wilson
Proprietors Rachel and Graham Bucknall
Kiddywinks guide
THE BRIDGE INN at Ratho has deservedly
won many accolades over the years, including
Gastropub of the Year at this year’s STLN
awards. Situated on the bank of the Union
Canal, the setting is glorious in the summer
and reminiscent of a cosy hug in chillier
climes. I recently attended a dinner to
welcome Michelin trained chef Tyler King,
who at the tender age of 28 has already
worked as senior sous chef at German
Michelin starred restaurant Prism, after
honing his skills at Number One at the
Balmoral and Castle Terrace. Launching
Bridge 15, a new evening menu,
Tyler will be creating an
evolving array of dishes
inspired by his international
travels and the finest
Scottish ingredients. I can
attest that the menu was
utterly delectable, two
highlights for me
being the canapé of
Arbroath Smokie
Doughnut and the Venison Tartare, Buckwheat
Cracker, Furikake and Blackcurrant Gel. The
boy can cook. Tyler will also oversee the bar
menu including its daily changing pie and their
famous Sunday Roasts. However, Dionysus
himself could be cooking and it would mean
nowt to me without a warm and
welcoming atmosphere. Proprietors
Rachel and Graham Bucknall
certainly bring a joie de vivre to the
Bridge Inn and their other venues,
The Inns in Elie and Lower Largo.
They certainly understand that
whether they serve pub menus
or fine cuisine, enjoying
yourself is an essential
part of eating out.
Tyler King
Bridge 15 at
The Bridge Inn is
open Tuesday to
Saturday 6-9pm.
www.bridge
inn.com
THE SCOTTISH Government have
updated the the kiddywinks’ nutritional
requirement guidance and would like
to reduce the amount of sugar the little
tykes are consuming in school. Parent
Councils across the land are rather
concerned this may mean the end of
the Bake Sale. I haven’t encountered so
much horror since it was muted in our
school that alcohol could be banned
from parent and child social events.
My daughter recently baked for a
fundraiser at Stockbridge Primary
School that was incredibly successful,
raising £1302.30 for wearelumos.org
with all the money going to
Ukrainian children.
Note that bake sales in Edinburgh
generally happen when school closes at
Friday lunchtime so parents have to
deal with their children’s sugar rush
themselves. Schools can be benevolent
but they’re not stupid.
Toast Gaia with
clever cocktails
IF YOU WERE a schoolchild like me who
tended to take your afternoon nap in
science class you may be intrigued to hear
that The Edinburgh Science Festival is
featuring cocktails this year. Pass the
Periodic Table, Miss! Simply download the
Toast To Gaia trail map and you’ll find a
community of independent bars and
restaurants offering climate friendly and
sustainable drinkypoos, including a couple
of my favourite haunts Nauticus on Duke
Street and Smoke and Mirrors on
Constitution Street. Your bartender will be
able to tell you the story and provenance
of their concoctions. Top marks all round.
Sciencefestival.co.uk