COMPASS GROUP EXPAND INTO SEAFOOD
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dinburgh will have a new seafood offering in the shape of the White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar shortly. The latest addition to Edinburgh’s vibrant scene will be opened by the Compass Group, owned by Mark Fraser and Michael Spink, which also has Monteiths, Sygn, The WestRoom and the Chop House Bar & Butchery in its portfolio. White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar, which is situated on the site of the oldest inn on the Royal Mile – The White Horse Bar, will offer a dining experience (as the name suggests) focused on fresh seafood and shellfish. A key feature of the restaurant will be the large custom-made lobster tank, which presents diners with the opportunity to select fresh Scottish lobster
at varying weights. Managing Director Mark Fraser commented, “We wanted to go back to basics and create a classic and relaxed offering where the ingredients take centre stage, so sourcing the very best seafood is crucial for us at White Horse.” He added, “Shellfish is often considered a luxury ingredient, and seafood restaurants as formal and expensive. Whilst the focus of White Horse will always be on the quality of the ingredients we source, we are very excited to introduce a new and relaxed way to enjoy seafood in the capital.” The complete refurbishment of the building on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile incudes an intimate dining room, with additional covers. White Horse Seafood & Oyster Bar is at 266 Canongate.
A BLINGING NEW DUNDEE RESTAURANT Dundee has an over the top new restaurant in the shape of Dynasty Scotland – a new restaurant which has been inspired by Game of Thrones. Owned by Usman Malik, who also has the Oshibori Japanese restaurant, also in Dundee, the restaurant features chandeliers, murals on the ceilings, lots of gold and gilt! Owner Malik has likened the restaurant to The Ritz... he has certainly put on the ritz if not the razzle dazzle! The menu is a bit out of the ordinary too and features for example – camel meatballs! Dynasty is located at 162 Nethergate, Dundee.
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DRAM NOVEMBER 2017
BRAND NEW LOOK FOR OXGANG BAR & KITCHEN Alchemy Inns have renovated Grangemouth’s Oxgang Bar, Kitchen and Rooms. The company stripped the bar back and have totally rebuilt it and created a contemporary new bar, private dining room and redecorated the nine bedrooms. They have also created a spacious outdoor area which will come into its own when the weather is good. Owner Tommy McMillan told DRAM, “We are really pleased with the way the venue has turned out.”
BLACK IVY OPENS Edinburgh entrepreneur Billy Lowe has opened his latest, muchanticipated venue, Black Ivy in the heart of Bruntsfield. Following a multi-million pound investment, the businessman has created a 22-bedroomed boutique hotel, with two stylish bars – the Drafthouse bar and the Taproom as well as a Conservatory, on the site of the former Links Hotel. The venue and the name have been inspired by Lowe’s desire to create a premium neighbourhood bar rooted in the leafy, park location of Bruntsfield but with influences from stylish, forwardthinking venues in London, Brooklyn and beyond. The new venue contrasts neon art with vintage chandeliers and street art murals with wood flooring salvaged from 19th Century French train carriages and it also boasts a floor made entirely from American nickel coins! The venture also has a ping pong room and a heated outdoor terrace with fire pits and the bars are serving tank beer. Billy Lowe comments, “I am genuinely excited to open my latest boutique hotel and my first neighbourhood bar. I have always had properties in the city centre, in both The Old Town and The New Town, but I feel we have the opportunity here to create something iconic and special. Our aim is to provide ‘local luxury for all’ and a destination venue worth visiting. Black Ivy, I believe, will be a great addition to many of the fabulous businesses already established in the area.” He adds, “I hope we will create our own magic here in Bruntsfield, giving the local community a place to really be proud of. The team are really buzzing and honestly, I think it might be the best thing we’ve ever done.” Its bars will serve fresh tank beer, and there’s also a ping pong room and a stylish heated outdoor terrace with fire pits.