Side Dishes

Jay Thundercliffe reports on the latest news and openings as the pizza boom shows no sign of slowing down

Not to be left out of the recent pizza flurry in Glasgow (see Farina review this issue and Nostrana in the previous mag), Edinburgh is set to welcome Homies Pizza, a new spot from the folks behind Butta Burger with their take on deep-dish US-style pizza. Also working the dough in the capital is the first non-London venue for Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza chain operation. The shouty Scotsman also made headlines recently with news of a joint Glasgow venture happening with Snoop Dogg (apparently he’s a big Celtic fan).

Other recent openings include Eve, an all-day diner within luxleaning operation Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. Diners can expect live entertainment amid original murals, and a menu of cocktails, burgers, bowls, and Scottish-inspired small and large plates. On the edge of town, Edinburgh Park is home to a new purpose-built setting for Patina, a restaurant, bakery and bar whose design plays on futuristic themes and influences from sci-fi movies such as Dune and Blade Runner.

Signs that the economic crisis is biting can be seen in Glasgow with a number of closures in Dennistoun, including café Wild Flours East, who have shut up shop after only six months, citing growing costs that can’t be absorbed (the original Southside bakery remains open). Also closed nearby is Nico Simeone’s charitable set-up Beat 6, although there are unlaid plans for a new location. Dennistoun café Rawnchy also announced recently they are looking for a buyer for the six-yearold brunch and cake specialist.