Latest news with #MatchaSando
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Edinburgh locals queue up for new chocolate shop and cafe in trendy neighbourhood
Edinburgh locals have been lining up outside a new chocolate shop and cafe in an upmarket neighbourhood. Nama welcomed customers in at the start of the month at North West Circus Place in Stockbridge. Opened by Hamilton Harman, it's the entrepreneurs second hospitality business in the city, after opening Matcha Sando in Bruntsfield. READ MORE: Edinburgh locals warn 'we will go to war over parking' if development goes ahead READ MORE: Edinburgh Council blasted over 'extremely concerning' £8m deal with convicted landlord The 27-year-old has been a matcha fan for 10 years, but said opening a chocolate shop was his 'dream'. On the day of opening a huge queue stretched down the street as eager foodies waited to be among the first inside. The team were giving away 100 free Isle of Skye hot chocolates to the first people through the door. A message on Instagram reads: "Wow what a lovely opening day turnout despite all the setbacks (behind the scenes our plumber finished working an hour before opening and our supplier delivered late leaving us just 30 minutes to sort stock. "Apologies for the limited menu and retail items while we sort and smooth things out. Thank you so much. "See you all soon and hope you enjoyed - Hamilton, owner and master chocolatier." Speaking to Edinburgh Live ahead of opening, Hamilton added: "Everything is coming together now and I am starting to feel confident. We had to unpack so much stuff including all of the equipment and things but once everything cleared, you started to see the light again. "It's a cocoa, matcha and coffee bar and we are focusing on those three. We actually have our own secret recipe for our hot chocolate and I had been developing it for five years. "I always wanted something to call my own - especially the chocolate shop because it was my 10-year dream. "I have been drinking matcha for 10 years and it really puts a smile on my face when the customers are just as passionate as me. They also love the way we innovate things." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Hamilton explained it was 'by chance' he was able to open up two businesses in the capital, and said he only ever set out to have one. He added "You can't pick and choose with leases in Edinburgh but I only wanted to open one cafe. "I got the one for Stockbridge but in case it fell through, I applied for the one in Bruntsfield. I have applied to about 30 over three years. "It was all by chance that I ended up with two." You can find out more on their Instagram page here.
Edinburgh Live
8 hours ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh locals queue up for new chocolate shop and cafe in trendy neighbourhood
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh locals have been lining up outside a new chocolate shop and cafe in an upmarket neighbourhood. Nama welcomed customers in at the start of the month at North West Circus Place in Stockbridge. Opened by Hamilton Harman, it's the entrepreneurs second hospitality business in the city, after opening Matcha Sando in Bruntsfield. The 27-year-old has been a matcha fan for 10 years, but said opening a chocolate shop was his 'dream'. On the day of opening a huge queue stretched down the street as eager foodies waited to be among the first inside. The team were giving away 100 free Isle of Skye hot chocolates to the first people through the door. A message on Instagram reads: "Wow what a lovely opening day turnout despite all the setbacks (behind the scenes our plumber finished working an hour before opening and our supplier delivered late leaving us just 30 minutes to sort stock. "Apologies for the limited menu and retail items while we sort and smooth things out. Thank you so much. "See you all soon and hope you enjoyed - Hamilton, owner and master chocolatier." Speaking to Edinburgh Live ahead of opening, Hamilton added: "Everything is coming together now and I am starting to feel confident. We had to unpack so much stuff including all of the equipment and things but once everything cleared, you started to see the light again. "It's a cocoa, matcha and coffee bar and we are focusing on those three. We actually have our own secret recipe for our hot chocolate and I had been developing it for five years. "I always wanted something to call my own - especially the chocolate shop because it was my 10-year dream. "I have been drinking matcha for 10 years and it really puts a smile on my face when the customers are just as passionate as me. They also love the way we innovate things." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Hamilton explained it was 'by chance' he was able to open up two businesses in the capital, and said he only ever set out to have one. He added "You can't pick and choose with leases in Edinburgh but I only wanted to open one cafe. "I got the one for Stockbridge but in case it fell through, I applied for the one in Bruntsfield. I have applied to about 30 over three years. "It was all by chance that I ended up with two." You can find out more on their Instagram page here.
Scotsman
03-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
I tried matcha for the first time at Edinburgh's newest cafe and felt rejuvenated afterwards
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Matcha drinks have soared in popularity in recent years, with more consumers now looking for a healthier alternative to coffee. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Edinburgh now has a number of dedicated matcha cafés, and the latest one to arrive in the capital is Matcha Sando in Bruntsfield. Having never tried the Japanese green tea myself, I was curious to see what all the fuss was about – and if the popular kryptonite-looking drink could potentially replace my daily coffees. Matcha Sando is a small cosy café, with bright, minimal interiors making for a peaceful spot in the middle of one of Edinburgh's busiest streets. There's a range of comfy seating, from beanbag chairs, to green sofas and eclectic dining chairs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is a wide range of hot and cold matcha drinks available | NW Behind the counter at the far end is a small team who make the organic grade matcha by hand using traditional bamboo and stoneware. Not really knowing what to order, I asked staff to help me choose between the pistachio cream matcha latte and the black honey matcha latte (both can be served as iced or hot). She convinced me to try the latter after explaining that was the sweeter option. I found the matcha experience quite subtle. Containing far less caffeine than coffee, there is no instant hit and it certainly feels more refreshing to drink. And like many have said before, the superfood drink doesn't subject people to the coffee crash – something I experience most weeks. I opted for the iced version of the black honey matcha latte due to the warm May weather on Friday and have to say I felt rejuvenated afterwards. I wouldn't have minded a bit more honey, but that's just my preference, and I'm sure staff would have happily added more, but I was comfortably seated and enjoying my slow-paced afternoon. Matcha Sando can be found at 116 Bruntsfield Place and is open five days a week, from Wednesday to Sunday. | NW I felt the matcha effects on my walk home. It didn't have the same buzz that a coffee provides but maybe that's a good thing. Matcha is said to improve focus and boost metabolism and immune system – and I'd say I felt its focus powers for a few hours after. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There's a range of different drinks and snacks available at Matcha Sando, including a variety of flavoured lattes, matcha juices, and a number of non-matcha drinks from Japanese brown sugar teas to vegan pot spiced chai lattes. Food options include their Sandos (brioche sandwiches) with egg, kewpie and mayo and strawberries and cream available. But although there is plenty to choose from, the friendly staff advised they are still making tweaks to the menu depending on what their customers want. I can't say matcha will replace my daily coffees, but I'm not ruling out making the swap once or twice – especially if it makes caffeine crashes a thing of the past. Matcha Sando can be found at 116 Bruntsfield Place and is open five days a week, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
New Edinburgh matcha cafe owners ‘thrilled' as huge queues form on opening day
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Huge queues of eager customers lined up for the opening of Edinburgh's newest matcha spot – despite plans to keep the launch low-key. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Located at Bruntsfield Place, Matcha Sando is a cafe selling 17 different matcha drinks and a range of sandos (iconic Japanese style sandwiches). The cafe's owners said they were 'thrilled' to get such a big turn for the opening at the weekend, though they were somewhat taken aback having attempted a 'soft opening'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Owner Hamilton Harman told the Evening News: 'We tried to do a soft open and told no one except close friends due to currently only having two trained staff. But we still had a queue out the door a few times and sold out of cakes and sandwiches multiple times. 'A real test of authenticity is if we have actual Japanese customers – and we have already had many over the opening weekend, so I am thrilled with the positive feedback and happy reviews.' Unlike most chain coffee shops, Matcha Sando makes its own matcha traditionally handmade, using only bamboo and stoneware. Their matcha is ceremonial and organic grade, with twice strained and hot matcha prepared with exactly 80 degree filtered water. Their sandos, meanwhile, are made with fluffy brioche style bread and decorative fillings such as egg and kewpie mayonnaise or dessert sandwiches with strawberries and cream. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hamilton himself is a great mix of heritage being a mix of Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Japanese and Filipino on his Asian side, and Scottish, Irish, English and Spanish on his European side. He told us: 'I have been drinking and eating matcha for 10 years and have felt the benefits of its antioxidants to my gut health. 'I have been obsessed with Japanese art and culture, such as the art of Origami, since I was 7 and started teaching origami to a class when I was just 11 years old. 'I am hoping to gauge interest to create an origami and crafts club at Matcha Sando in the evenings to create a wee community and share the love I have for another craft.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Matcha Sando can be found at 116 Bruntsfield Place. It will open four days a week, from Wednesday to Saturday. Click here to sign up 👇
