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.”
KING’S ARMS DUO EXPAND
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.”
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DRAM AUGUST 2022
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.
