From the operator of Chop House, Monteith’s and the White Horse, comes the brand new Black Grape on Canongate. Promising “small plates, wine and good times”, the 60-cover venue places a focus on great produce, bold flavours and quality cooking. A stellar and award-winning team has been assembled and you can get a taste of what’s to come at their soft launch on Monday 19 December.
A top trio
Edinburgh-born restaurateur Murray Ainslie has well over a decade of experience with The Compass Group, having launched and operated some of the city’s most popular bars and restaurants. Now he’s teamed up with multi-award-winning entrepreneurs Stuart Hunter and Cameron Taylor, operators of Advance Global Recruitment. The three are long-time friends, enjoying a shared love of great food, drink and hospitality, which they now extend to the wider public. And they’ve enlisted the help of the award-winning Edinburgh agency Splintr to redesign and carry out the build of the two-storey property that looks out onto the Royal Mile.
“The Black Grape is a culmination of years of dining out and socialising. We’ve created an offer inspired by some of our favourite restaurant experiences across the world. Each drink and dish has been carefully considered and we aim to recreate the amazing buzz that the best bars and restaurants offer.” commented Stuart Hunter.
Cameron Taylor adds: “Whether you’re joining us for a glass of wine and a small plate, or feasting with a group of friends, we want you to feel at home.”
Small plates
Using ingredients from suppliers include; Welch Fishmongers, Shaw’s Fine Meats, I.J. Mellis, Company Bakery, East Coat Cured and foraging experts Coeur Sauvage, the kitchen will prepare small plates designed for sharing. Guests can try multiple dishes, to immerse themselves in the dining experience and range of flavours. The menu includes the likes of beef tataki, yuzu hollandaise and crispy shallots; bbq fillet tail, peppercorn sauce and black pepper oil; nduja arancini, fennel and lemon; and fried potato skins with caviar and sour cream.
Wine
The wine list is being curated alongside the award-winning wine merchants Hallgarten and will take diners on an international journey to some of the most unusual and off-the-beaten-track vineyards. And when it comes to cocktails and mixes, the trio have enlisted Class Magazine’s former ‘Bartender of The Year’ Joey Medrington, to come up with some classic and alternative serves.
Read our guide to the best wine bars in edinburgh
Good times
Diners arrive in the bar; a showstopping design feature with a suspended mild steel ceiling raft dressed with greenery, a curved countertop crafted from vibrant green Italian Terrazzo, and a powder-coated gantry that follows the soft lines of the bar. Here you’ll find a sociable 10-seater communal table, taking centre stage. Continue on into the main dining room and you’ll discover a palette of soft greys and rich blues, where contoured panelling is juxtaposed with exposed brick. 40 covers include a fancy private booth, half-moon banquette seating with Foresso tabletops (a wooden terrazzo made sustainably and ethically in the UK) and two grand window tables. Bespoke playlists fuse soul, funk and blues, providing a suitable soundtrack to your meal.
Taking care of staff
Despite the UK’s current climate of staffing issues, this venue is attracting diverse talent, thanks in the main, to Advance Global Recruitment’s ethical employment credentials that emphasise integrity, transparency and trust; staff at The Black Grape will receive multiple benefits such as bi-annual staff away-days, a monthly wine club and access to market-leading external training. And we know that a happy workforce creates a tangibly positive atmosphere.
Murray Ainslie says: “Of course it’s a challenge to open a restaurant in this economic climate, but we’re firm believers that quality offerings will always succeed. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, we believe our great food, polished service and stylish interior will ensure we really stand out from the crowd.”
The restaurant occupies a site that was the longstanding home of Pancho Villas, in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. And while the official launch won’t take place until mid-January, with a soft launch imminent, you won’t have to wait that long to experience the latest culinary hotspot in town.
