NEWS All the news on pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels.

DEAN SPREADS HIS WINGS

Chef Dean Banks has now opened Dulse in Edinburgh’s Queensferry Street on the site of the former L’Escargot Blanc. The latest addition to his family of businesses is now fully open as both wine bar and restaurant across two floors, and offers small plates based around Dean’s love of Scottish produce and in particular seafood, as well as his own premium drinks brands Mond Vodka and Lunun Gin as house spirits. Dean said, “I’m so happy Dulse is now fully open and it’s exactly as I planned – I love it. “It’s the perfect neighbourhood restaurant you want to drop in for a drink, a few bites, and end up spending a long afternoon or evening with friends old and new enjoying stellar food and drinks. “It’s relaxed, it’s small plates, it’s exquisite seafood and the stunning produce I want, which our lovely country is famous for. “My spirits brands Mond Vodka and Lunun Gin are front and centre for cocktails, as are our sustainability policies, so look out for lots of recycled food items – like using peels to make syrups and things. “There is so much we can do in the trade and I am determined to lead the way whenever possible, for my own children and for everyone’s children.”

NEW GLASGOW VENTURE FOR CHEF FERRIER RICHARDSON

When the East End Fox opens in Glasgow in the Autumn it will be a return to his roots for Celebrity Chef Ferrier Richardson, who has taken on the former Barrachnie Inn in Garrowhill. The Greene King leasehold is currently being refurbished and will be called the East End Fox when it opens in October. The chef, who made his name as an executive chef at the Buttery and Rogano restaurants, was also behind the likes of October, Yes, Eurasia and Opus but for the past 15 years he has been working as a Private Chef travelling the world, latterly working for four years as the Private Chef to the President and the First Lady of the Government of Gabon in West Africa. He has also worked as a consultant for various people including Elliot Wright in Marbella. He returned to Glasgow recently with wife Anne Marie. Ferrier told DRAM, “Originally I was interested in buying the site, but there was so much interest in it, Greene King decided to keep it in its portfolio, but when they were looking for someone to take it on, I jumped at the opportunity. I think that with the recent pandemic having a gastro pub out of town is the right thing to do.” He continued, “It will be a gastro pub serving half decent food. It will be interesting but not Heston Blumenthal! I hope we get known for doing things like the best fish and chips. It will be modern Scottish with a touch of Asia. We will also be focussing on drinks as well.”

KING’S ARMS DUO EXPAND

It’s been a busy couple of months for Mikey Lennon and Gareth Kelly – last year’s winners of Sunday Mail Pub of the Year. They have just given their award winning King’s Arms in Fenwick a makeover and at the same time have taken over the The Kadikoi Bar and The Memory Lane in Kilmarnock’s Bonnyton Road. The pair have already spruced up The Kadikoi following the retiral of former licensee Frank McEwan and re-opened it last month. Meanwhile the refurbishment of the King’s Arms has seen the building’s exterior revamped.

Whistler on the Green makes it debut

Whistler on the Green opened recently on the site of the former Whistlin’ Kirk on Glasgow’s Greendyke Street. The bar, which is owned Glasgow legends Brian Traynor and Ricky Scoular ,is described as “a bar which does nice food!” Chefs also plan to make the most of its proximity to the fish market with Oysters and Guinness, Moule Frites and Sardines expected to grace the menu shortly. Right now the bar is promoting its Sunday Roast and pub classics such as The Ruben. The bar also benefits from ‘grandfather rights’, and can open from 8am.

NEWS

COCKTAILS AND BALLPIT!

Edinburgh now has a Cocktail bar with an adult ball pit in the shape of Ballie Ballerson, which has opened in the former McSorley’s Irish Bar in Forrest Road. It’s the first venture outside of London for the Edinburgh company which is owned by Wenny Armstrong, who founded the the world’s first ball pit cocktail bar, with cocktails made out of childhood sweets, in 2016. The new 300-capacity venue with its 7500 square foot bar is spread over two floors on the first floor there is a wall-to-wall mirrored ball pit that’s filled with clear balls that change depending on the vibe of the LED disco bottom. On the ground floor,there is a Ballie Baller-booth with takeaway photo strips, for the instagram fans. It also has Edinburgh’s biggest glitter ball which is 1.7m in diameter. The bar is serving up signature serves including the ‘Dibbie Dabberson’ and ‘Skittle Sour’, other cocktails, which start from £6 each, include the tequila-based ‘Hubba Hubba Bubba’ with lime and bubblegum as well as the ‘Ice Lollypalooza’, and Neapolitan-style pizzas are offered too. Olaya Martinez, Ballie Ballerson Edinburgh’s general manager comments, “We’re excited to be bringing our ball pit cocktail bar to the Scottish capital. We’ve spent a lot of time carefully considering the hospitality scene here to get it just right for our new ballers. We’ve got a few more surprises up our sleeve that make our Edinburgh venue unique, but you’ll have to see it for yourself.” Roxy Leisure has announced that its latest Roxy Lanes site will be in Edinburgh. The 25,000 sq ft Rose Street location will feature a range of activities, including ten-pin bowling, ice-free curling, American pool, air hockey, karaoke, arcade games, basketball, beer pong, bank shot shuffleboard, and shuffleboard. Edinburgh is the 13th site for the Roxy Leisure group with their newest site opening in Sheffield this August. Roxy Leisure’s, Commercial Manager, Joel Mitchell, said, “Edinburgh is a beautiful and historic city with a creative spirit. With its abundance of theatres, comedy clubs, bars, and restaurants, Edinburgh’s nightlife scene is second-to-none. We’re excited about bringing our competitive gaming concept to this vibrant city.”

The Loch Leven Hotel in Ballachulish is for sale through Drysdale & Co. The current owners, Craig and Noru Innes, who have operated the business for over eight years, are now looking to sell the twelve bedroom hotel right next to the A82, one of the main tourist routes leading from Central Scotland north to Fort William and Skye so that they can concentrate on their successful Pixel Spirits brand, which specialises in craft gin, vodka and rum.

COMMONSENSE IN ABERDEEN

Aberdeen-based Celera has started the fit-out of its new venue in Aberdeen in Union Terrace Garden called Common Sense which they describe as being “more than a coffee house and a bar.” hopes to open in the gardens in late August or September this year. The venue, which is expected to open within the next six weeks will open from 8am to 8pm with three Acts; Act 1 – drop-in and takeaway in the morning, Act 2 – indoor and al fresco grazing food and drinks later in the day, and the Finale – evening drinks, food for pre-theatre goers and the opportunity to simply enjoy the terrace. Common Sense, is putting community and arts at the heart of their plans and this includes building a bookcase to hold 1,000 books that it wants customers to read on the terrace, or even “out into the big wide world”. They are asking for a small donation with all proceeds going to Aberdeen City Library.

Sloan opens No.17 The Promenade

Paul Sloan has opened a new hotel in Oban – No 17 The Promenade. The hotel, formerly The Wellpark Hotel, has benefitted from a multi-million pound renovation following a six-figure investment from The Cumberland Building Society which accounted for 60% of the investment. The 19-bedroom, ocean-facing boutique hotel, saw a complete interior makeover which included stripping the building back to the stone to install improved plumbing and air conditioning systems, as well as temperature controlling technology throughout the hotel. Some of the features of the original hotel have been maintained including a 16th Century Jacobean ceiling which adorns one of the living areas. Each of the 19 guest rooms has been individually designed and all offer either sea views, woodland outlooks or outdoor terraces. Paul opened No.26 by the Sea in Oban, two years ago, and also owns various restaurant brands across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Oban. Paul Sloan, said, “I’ve worked in the industry for many years and have often found conventional banks difficult to efficiently progress projects with. Working with the team at The Cumberland has been one of the easiest processes I have experienced in decades, and I am really pleased to have finally opened the doors at No.17 to show off the fresh look.

BATTLEFIELD REST IN ALL ITS GLORY

The Battlefield Rest restoration is visible to all, and the former tramcar station is looking superb, after owner Marco Giannasi embarked on a restoration project which has seen the building, built in 1914-1915, returned to its former glory. It has been a labour of love for the restaurateur who bought the former tram station and newsagent, in 1993. The building, which became B-listed building in 1981, was built by by Frank Burnet & Boston Architects and was once described “as the most exotic tram shelter In Scotland “. The exterior restoration to return the building to its original specifications, which started last year, has been carried by Paul Hodgkiss Design, and a team of craftsman. Their task was to replace the rooftop canopies and balustrade columns, but sustainably. The 130 original columns that form the balustrades on the rooftop were made of the Paraná pine from Brazil which is now critically endangered, so the 2ft balustrades were replaced with new columns made of Eucalyptus wood, which is harder, more durable, and more sustainable. The old columns have subsequently been given a new lease of life because the restaurateur created the Battlefield Rest “Column Charity Project and with the help of Paul Hodgkiss 130 columns were recycled from roof balconies and offered to artists and other reative people to create future artworks. These included Adrian McMurchie whose illustrations of Glasgow landmarks can be seen all over the city. The artwork was then auctioned off for the Articulate Cultural Trust charity. The next step in the restoration project would be benefitted if plans to pedestrianise the area were given the green light, this may allow Marco Giannasi hopes to realise his dream of installing a 1920s tram next to the restaurant. But for the time being Marco says, “It has been a journey. The Craftsmanship and quality will now last for future generations.”

The Winnock Hotel, located in the heart of Loch Lomond National Park at Drymen has been sold to a private investor in partnership with New World Hospitality in a deal brokered by Smith and Clough Business Associates and Christie & Co following the retirement of owner David Warnes who has owned the hotel since 1989. Formerly a coaching inn, The Winnock Hotel, which dates back to the late 1700s has been restored and transformed into a multi-faceted tourist hotel with 73 bedrooms, a characterful restaurant, function room and public lounge bar. GGraeme Smith of Smith & Clough comments, “ Having known the client for many years I was delighted to have been involved, alongside Gary, to sell the Winnock Hotel, on a completely confidential basis, which is regarded as one of the finest privately owned hotels in the area. Having bought the hotel in 1989, our client developed and built a very successful business and can now enjoy a well-earned retirement from the trade. Both Gary and I wish the new owners every success for the future”

NEW OWNERS FOR THE WINNOCK HOTEL AT LOCH LOMOND