In our latest indepenent business posting on Hidden Edinburgh we talk to Virginie Brouard, French born, Mother of three and Owner of both Le Di-Vin Wine Bar and La P’tite Folie French restaurant situated in the West End area of Edinburgh.
Tell us some more about the wine bar and restaurant
Award-winning Le Di-Vin wine bar is situated in Edinburgh’s West End next door to La P’tite Folie restaurant which recently featured in The Sunday Times top 25 wine bars in the UK. The wine bar, was once an old church which I renovated almost 10 years ago now serves a range of tapas style small plates and sharing platters to compliment your favourite wine – most are sold by the glass. We also host a number of events and tastings regularly throughout the year. The restaurant, La P’tite Folie restaurant or “The Little Madness” offers contemporary French cuisine in the heart of Edinburgh. Opened in 2008, I transformed the ‘Tudor House’ space on Randolph Place into a lively and charmingly cosy place to enjoy great, traditional French cuisine in a unique setting.
How did you get in to your line of work?
I arrived in Edinburgh in 1991 aged 19, with £90 in my pocket. I started working in Pierre Victoire (Famous French Bistrot) and after 5 years there, I bought Frederick Street, my first restaurant. Milan my first son was just 5 months old!
In 2003, I opened the second branch (Randolph Place). Both places were successful. Then, in 2007, I opened the Wine Bar, with my second son, Pierre aged 6 months!
What is the best part of your job?
Because the Businesses are successful, I decided to start Humanitarian work which is how I began travelling to Ethiopia to volunteer there. I now sponsor a feeding program for over 1000 children. I also officially work very closely together with renowned Mary’s Meals to start to provide school children with their first meals which will be served in schools of the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia. This new collaboration with Mary’s Meals will benefit thousands of children and initially we will be working with 3 or 4 local schools before hopefully helping even more.
Ethiopia is also very close to my heart as I adopted my daughter, Genat from there over five years ago now. My biggest achievement so far has to be the adoption of my daughter Genat. It has been the hardest thing in my life so far, but what a reward! Genat was 7 months old when I first met her at the orphanage and she is now 6 years old and a happy little Girl. The aim now is to keep the business going strong to be able to feed more children in Ethiopia.
There are a lot of wine bars in Edinburgh what makes your wine bar stand out from the rest?
I think there aren’t many wine bars that have such a great deal of history attached as ours does. When I opened the wine bar, we were the only one really doing what we do with the range of wines, tastings and the tapas style plates and sharing boards which is very French. Nowadays there are a lot more but it is all healthy competition. I still feel that what we do and the way we do it is different. The interior is beautiful and you really need to come and see it to experience it!
Describe your ideal day in Edinburgh
With me not being a morning person, a day starts once my children are at school. If I am off, I would happily stay home in the morning and look after my house. Once I drive to town, I often take my computer and go in a café to sit and do some work. I do need a few cups of coffee in the morning. Very often, one of my friends would also turn up as they all know where to find me. I sometimes simply stay in my wine bar as it is quiet in the morning or I go next door to Indigo yard.
On a nice day, I enjoy walking along George Street and I sometimes walk to Arthur Seat if I need Fresh air and have enough time. There are always lots of nice bars and cafes along the road, I like the café in Holyrood Palace we are very lucky here in Edinburgh with a good choice place to eat and drink. I do like a cosy, warm place. I don’t go out much, socialising tends to happen in my own wine bar where everybody always find me which is not always the most relaxing for me. But If I have a night off and childcare is organised, it is just great to know I have nothing to do and be able to have a few drinks with my friends. I enjoy simple things but good company is essential and I am very lucky to have fantastic friends, we can laugh so much and it is needed!
On the other hand, I do love to be home at night. Because I often work late, going home and be with the children is very enjoyable. We have had a long winter, evenings at home near the fire were the best and my friends also often come at mine to stay for the night…I like my house busy and lively, with children coming and going, good food and a good bottle of wine or 2!!
