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The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Review: I tried Tom Kitchin's Michelin Star lunch menu in Edinburgh
Eavesdropping is a dreadful habit, I know, but so unexpected is this revelation shared between diner and waiter that I'm stopped in my tracks while flicking through to the more modest set lunch section of the menu. I perform a quick mental run-through of all the restaurants I've visited over the years as each page is turned. Qualms over carbon footprints aside, would any of them warrant that level of commitment to be here today? Perhaps The Kitchin will be the first. And if so, what great luck for me that it's taken just a train to Edinburgh and a stroll down Leith Walk to make my reservation. Priced at £69.00, the Lunch Menu is comprised of three courses with the option to splurge one step further should the selection of fine Scottish cheeses displayed in a neat trolley on the restaurant floor catch your eye. Judging by the number of tables that have ordered thin-stemmed glasses of champagne as a precursor to their meal, I'd wager a couple of extra quid for the pleasure won't be an issue for most. The interiors at The Kitchin share a theme with those at chef Tom Kitchin's Stockbridge venue Scran and Scallie, which I visited earlier this year after the Gastropub was once again named as the best of its kind in Scotland. (Read more: It's £25 for ham, eggs and chips at Scotland's Best Gastropub - and worth every penny) Stag printed wallpaper, 'distressed' upholstery and flourishes of velvet or fluffy faux fur on stools used as a perch for designer handbags, there's a circa 2013 twee-ness to it all. Like you've walked into the section of a glossy home interiors mag titled 'highland chic'. It's fitting for the menu, though, with the philosophy here said to be 'a true reflection of passion for the finest, freshest Scottish seasonal produce'. A small, illustrated map handed over sometime before a boule of crusty, warm bread arrives at the table confirms that the ingredients used for the lunch menu have been sourced from across Scotland's land and sea. Before we get to the courses I've selected from the set menu (there were three options for starters mains and desserts as well as a fully veggie alternative) there are a few small bites including a pani puri-esque wheat puffed shell filled with a super light, savoury mousse followed by a teeny-tiny ball of beetroot with big earthy flavour. Pictured: Lobster and Prawn dumpling on pea and lovage velouté (Image: Newsquest) Serving tables is a two-person job at The Kitchin, and once the warm-up dishes have been cleared away, a duo approaches the table, one carrying a tray and the other poised to gently lift a plate of Newhaven lobster and prawn dumpling, pea and lovage velouté and lobster shell oil from it so that each element looks exactly as it did when leaving the pass. It's a visually striking dish, the vibrant green of the pea velouté surrounding a dumpling that's smooth and pale in contrast. The mystery as to what this outer layer is hiding, along with the aroma from that fragrant lobster shell oil, demands that you sit up and pay attention. Who cares about any leftover bread from the pre-starters? This is the only thing in the restaurant I want to be eating right now. Tearing through the outer layer reveals plenty of gorgeous Scottish seafood stuffed into this pocket of goodness, firm, fresh and utterly delicious. The outer coating of the dumpling, it transpires, is a fraction too thick, meaning that I never fully lose myself in the dish as I'd like to. With each spoonful, the delicate flavours and texture of smooth, sweet peas are overshadowed by a nagging chewiness. Still, it's a strong start, refined yet warm and comforting. Pictured: Pork Loin with braised violet artichoke and black olive tapenade (Image: Newsquest) Next, it's Clash Farm pork loin with braised violet artichoke and black olive tapenade. It's not quite as pretty as the starter, four strips of meat laid out like toast soldiers atop a glossy jus that's just slightly seeped from a neat circle and edged towards the rim of the plate. There are some serious, salty flavours battling it out here. The artichokes, buttery soft and herbaceous, a spoonful of potent olive tapenade and a meaty jus reduced until almost sticky and intense. Then there's the pork to pull it all back from the brink, with the delicate layer of fat in particular benefiting from the punchiness of it all. Read more: We're back on top form presentation-wise with the dessert of Yuzu meringue tart torched gently until golden brown and nestled into a ring of plump Colbeggie farm berries with a quenelle of strawberry sorbet on the side. Pictured: The 'Strawberry and Bramble' dessert (Image: Newsquest) It's a superb pud, a happy marriage of tangy citrus and marshmallow-like Italian meringue executed with a delicate touch. Berries are one of Scotland's greatest seasonal treasures, and a mix of brambles and raspberries effortlessly elevates the dish. Because he's gone all in with the tasting menu, and tackled almost twice as many courses as I have, the man from London has finished his meal only just before me. As I savour the final spoonful of dessert, he fills the waiter in on his plans for the connecting train journeys that will see him home later that evening. He seems content that the meal has been worth it, 'I don't usually like scallops,' he says, 'but that was unlike any I've ever tasted before." I'm glad to hear his efforts have not been in vain, and if the lunch menu has provided a snapshot of what's on offer in the tasting menu, can watch him leave feeling confident that The Kitchin has lived up to expectations. The Kitchin is located at 82 Commercial Street in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Live
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Best Edinburgh restaurants according to renowned chefs Jimmy Lee and Kaori Simpson
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 Finding the right spot to grab a bite to eat in the capital is never easy with so many options littered throughout the city. With that in mind, two renowned Scottish chefs have covered all the bases, giving their professional opinion on which eateries they would dine in for specific occasions. First up is Japanese entrepreneur and chef Kaori Simpson. She is the culinary heart behind Edinburgh's award-winning Harajuku Kitchen (Golden Chopsticks Best Restaurant in Scotland 2019 & 2021). Raised in a family deeply connected to Japanese cuisine and with experience at Michelin-starred The Kitchin, Kaori masterfully blends her heritage with a passion for seasonal Scottish ingredients to create authentic and celebrated Japanese comfort food. Harajuku Kitchen's quality and authenticity have earned it a loyal following and the distinction of being the official caterer for the Consulate General of Japan and other key organisations. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Kaori's picks for EDINBURGH 1. Best restaurant for a first date? "Little Capo opened not too long ago but has been an exciting addition to the Edinburgh dining scene. "It serves Italian style small and large plates and has a fabulous cocktail list. The atmosphere is electric and there is a real buzz no matter what day or time you go!" 2. Best place to get authentic food? "Nixo's Greek Street Food in Portobello. It serves the best gyros outside of Greece - brings me back to Mykonos Island!" 3. Best place to grab Sunday brunch? "Margot in Bruntsfield. It only opened last year and is part of the team behind the restaurant, leftfield. "It's a cool little neighbourhood hangout with stunning dishes and pastries on offer. It's the best brunch you can get in the Southside! Order the Turkish eggs. They are incredible." 4. Best late night/guilty pleasure? "Edinburgh Street Food for sure. I'm not being biased as we are a vendor there, but it has so many options with a fantastic bar and the food and drinks are brought to the tables. I love a late night Razzo Pizza!" 5. What the must-go place you recommend to everyone to try that no one really knows about? "Konj Persian Cafe at the Lyceum Theatre. Farah the chef and owner uses her family recipes to create hearty Iranian dishes." Next is Jimmy Lee, who is the dynamic chef proprietor behind Glasgow's popular Lychee Oriental and a familiar face on ITV's 'This Morning' and previously as co-host of 'Julie and Jimmy's Hot Woks'. With over 40 million views on TikTok, his culinary expertise reaches a wide audience. Jimmy has also showcased his skills on BBC's 'Great British Menu', judged on 'Kirstie's Handmade Christmas', and on Channel 4's 'My Kitchen Rules' alongside Prue Leith and Michael Caine. His debut cookbook, "Jimmy's Smoking Wok," offers readers his signature fast and flavourful recipes, from takeaway favourites to authentic Chinese dishes, charting his journey from his father's takeaway to becoming a celebrated chef and online sensation. Jimmy's picks for EDINBURGH 1. Best restaurant for a first date? "You're in Edinburgh you need to impress - go to Sushi Samba: great sushi and stunning views." 2. Best place to get authentic food? "Sichuan House - Authentic Sichuan cuisine. It's always busy with students which is a good sign! "Mao's Braised Pork is a must and if you're feeling adventurous try the Sliced Beef in Hot Chilli Oil." 3. Best place to grab Sunday brunch? "Singapore Coffee House - Experience Singapore Coffee culture in Edinburgh! It serves Delicious Coffee, and you need to try the Kaya Toast with Soft Eggs" 4. Best late night/guilty pleasure? "Bar Napoli - After a late night out you must come here for a pizza! specifically for the Pizza Norcina!" 5. What must-visit place do you recommend to everyone to try that no one really knows about? Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "Imperial Palace - Authentic Dim Sum in outside the City Centre. You won't get better than this place. The roast duck is melt-in-your-mouth amazing." Both restaurateurs are set to appear at the Ideal Home Show Scotland which is set to take place from May 23 to the 26, from 10 am to 5 pm, at the SEC, with the popular event bringing together hundreds of brands to shop from, live talks from top celebrities, the latest technology, and fresh ideas from our team of experts. Tickets also include free entry to The Eat & Drink Festival. Tickets are available now from the Ideal Home Show Scotland website.
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Outlander's Sam Heughan joins Glasgow pilates class as he gears up for London Marathon
It's no secret that Sam Heughan is a fitness fanatic, and ahead of running the London marathon this weekend, the Outlander star took part in a Glasgow pilates class. The Jamie Fraser actor headed along to the pilates studio in Park Circus to stretch out ahead of his 42km run this weekend through the streets of London. Sharing Sam in action, Lyle Pilates Instagram page - based in the west end of the city - penned: "Getting marathon ready again with @samheughan …number 6! To everyone counting down the days till London masssssive luck to you all and enjoy the day! Lonneke xx." Pilates is said to be good for runners as a strong core, good alignment and a good breathing technique will all help support the body and even helps prevent injury, Lynne Robinson, founder of Body Control Pilates, previously told the Record: "In terms of runners, sometimes a slight imbalance in the body will go on to create problems because it's such a repetitive movement you're doing. Even a small adjustment in your posture or in your core stability can make a huge impact." Over the weekend, Sam explained to his followers that he was 'carbing up' at Tom Kitchin 's restaurant in Leith. Sharing a selfie of himself with a birthday cake, he penned: "Early Birthday Scran from the best of Scotland! Thank you @tom_kitchin and whole crew for the incredible experience! Michelin starred carb-loading for @londonmarathon." Tom commented on Sam's post, writing: "Happy birthday bro - smashing 45! Best of luck at the marathon!" Sam has been visiting The Kitchin in Leith for many years and even filmed an episode of Men in Kilts there with his Outlander co-star Graham McTavish. The pair were photographed with top chef and owner Tom. The celebrity chef shared the moment on social media with the trio appearing to be having a lively discussion as they tucked into Scottish cuisine. This isn't the first time the star has run a marathon as he ran the Edinburgh marathon back in 2018. Sam completed the course in aid of Cahonas Scotland and he crossed the finishing line after three hours and 12 minutes, beating his personal best by one minute. After completing the race, he posted on Instagram: "@edinburghmarathonfestival 3.12 beat my PB by 1min!! "Thank you everyone for the support and delighted to help @CahonasScotland. Now can I lay down?" The 45th London Marathon takes place this Sunday, with this year's event hoping to break the world record for the most participants in a marathon, with more than 56,000 runners expected to compete. That record was originally held by the 55,646 finishers at last year's New York Marathon, but this month's Paris Marathon recorded 56,950 participants. The streets of London will be packed with runners who are taking on the challenge in a bid to raise money for causes close to their hearts, and taking on the 26.2 mile course, which passes through some of London's most famous sights. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Scotsman
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Outlander actor Sam Heughan visits Edinburgh restaurant for ‘early birthday scran'
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Outlander actor actor Sam Heughan has been spotted celebrating his birthday at his favourite Edinburgh restaurant. 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... The Scottish star, who plays highland warrior Jamie Fraser in the hit time-travel series, enjoyed a slap-up meal at The Kitchin in Leith at the weekend. Sam, who turns 45 on April 30, was having an early celebration, after being invited to the award-winning restaurant by his pal, Michelin Star chef Tom Kitchin. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Balmaclellan-born celebrity, who moved to Edinburgh as a 12-year-old, shared a photo of himself at the restaurant on his Instagram account. Posing with a birthday cake, he wrote: 'Early birthday scran from the best in Scotland. Thank you Tom Kitchin and the whole crew for the incredible experience. Sam, who takes part in one of the world's biggest sporting events this weekend, added: 'Michelin-starred carb-loading for the London Marathon.' Fans flocked to the comments to wish the star a happy early birthday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One wrote: 'Happy early birthday to you, my absolute favourite actor. You have such a kind soul and you are such an amazing human being. I wish you the best.' Another said: 'The Kitchin! So yummy, especially the scallops. Mmm. Happy early birthday, Sam!' A third commented: 'Happy birthday to sweet, handsome, kind-hearted Sam!' Last week reported that Sam had opened up on how 'Edinburgh has changed' since his teenage years growing up in the city. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was at the Wildcat on Tarvit Street in Tollcross, being interviewed by cocktail bar guru Iain McPherson for the Edinburgh Bar Show, when he made the comments. Sam revealed that he used to frequent the venue in his teenage years, back when it was known as Burlington Bertie's. He told Iain: 'This bar is one of the first bars I ever went to as a teenager in Edinburgh... I should say as an older teenager, until my early 20s, I used to come here all the time. This was my very spot I used to sit in. 'We used to sit in the corner there and we'd drink... it wasn't great cocktails in those days, it was pints of heavy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The world has changed, Edinburgh's changed from the years when I was growing up but there's so many incredible cocktail bars, some of the best bars in the world are in Edinburgh, the best bartenders, the best produce, it's so innovative and it's amazing to come here.' Sam has spoken about his time in Edinburgh several times in the past. In his memoir, Waypoints, he opens up about his family's move to the Scottish capital when he was a teenager – saying it was like a 'like a whole new world for him' after upping sticks from his native Dumfries and Galloway. In the bestselling book, he talks about what it was like to be uprooted from a quiet community to a bustling city. In a chapter titled 'The Wake-Up Call', Sam reveals that his family moved to Edinburgh so his mother could enrol at Edinburgh College of Art. He writes: 'After years of living in a quiet community, my mother, my brother and I packed our belongings for what felt like a whole new world. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Swapping the stable and the castle ruins for a suburban street in Edinburgh, we set about settling in for this new chapter in our lives. 'It was a big change, but also hugely exciting for two young lads like [brother] Cirdan and me. I had just finished at my little primary school, so I started high school at the same time as all my new classmates. 'It was a little overwhelming to begin with, but since I could now see without the dreaded glasses, I soon started to make friends and feel comfortable in a crowd.' The young Sam attended James Gillespie's High School, which he recalls as having 'very strong on rules and discipline'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He also remembers a run-in with the school's head teacher, after an incident involving a carton of milk. He writes: 'On one occasion, I came very close to getting into trouble from the top. 'At the time, I had just been made a school prefect... The incident began with a milk carton. I had been tasked with helping to dish them out at break time to pupils who were part of a milk-in-schools scheme. 'On finding one left over, I decided to join the scheme for one break only... A moment later, like a gunslinger in some two-bit town, the headmistress stepped out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'My eyes went wide with horror... I seized an escape route in the form of the door to the toilet block... I took one look at the open window and lobbed it out.' Musing that it was the perhaps first time he ever got into character, Heughan goes on to describe raiding a bin once his headmistress questioned him about the missing milk carton – and how he bluffed her after luckily finding one at the bottom. He writes: 'The headmistress considered the carton in my hand... Once again she seemed to be searching my expression for cracks. The face-off only lasted for a couple of seconds, but it felt like a lifetime. 'It was perhaps the first occasion that I'd got into character, and it wouldn't be the last. Ultimately it showed me what was possible if I delivered it with conviction.' Click here to sign up 👇
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Outlander's Sam Heughan celebrates birthday by 'carbing up' for London Marathon
The Outlander star celebrated his 45th birthday a bit early as he's training for the London Marathon. Outlander star Sam Heughan celebrated his 45th birthday a bit early this year as he prepares to run the London Marathon. The Jamie Fraser actor took to Instagram to say that he was tucking into a meal prepared by Scots chef Tom Kitchin and 'carbing up' for the 42km run, which takes place next weekend. And many fans flocked to the comments to wish the star a happy birthday. One penned: "A meal fit for a king (of men)." Another added: "Happy early birthday to you, my absolute favourite actor!! You have such a kind soul and you are such an amazing human being !! I wish you the best !! Send you love!!" While one said: "(almost) 45 never looks so good! Looks delicious." And one added: "Ahhh, The Kitchin! Soo yummy, especially the scallop! Mmm. Happy early Birthday, Sam!" While another commented: "The big 45. Happy birthday." Sam has been visiting The Kitchin in Leith for many years and even filmed an episode of Men in Kilts with his Outlander co-star Graham McTavish. The pair were photographed with top chef and owner Tom Kitchin. The celebrity chef shared the moment on social media with the trio appearing to be having a lively discussion as they tucked into Scottish cuisine. This isn't the first time the star has ran a marathon as he ran the Edinburgh marathon back in 2018. Sam completed the course in aid of Cahonas Scotland and he crossed the finishing line after three hours and 12 minutes beating his personal best by one minute. After completing the race, he posted on Instagram: "@edinburghmarathonfestival 3.12 beat my PB by 1min!! "Thank you everyone for the support and delighted to help @CahonasScotland. Now can I lay down?" Sam is no stranger to fitness and in 2017, Sam launched My Peak Challenge (MPC) - a movement "dedicated to educating and inspiring its members to live healthier, happier, and more balanced lives while raising funds to change lives". In 2022, Sam raised whopping £590,000 for charity with the help of his organisation MPC. Fellow members - known as Peakers - set themselves a challenge, physical or otherwise, in a bid to raise cash. Since the organisation began, they have raised around $6.9m (£5.8m) for a number of good causes including, Give Blood UK, Ocean Conservancy, Marie Curie, and many more. In 2022, Peakers raised over $711k (£592k) and planted 607,000 trees. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
