As with every other major British food destination this February, Edinburgh’s restaurant-related news has been dominated by the announcement of The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2024.
In terms of stars, Edinburgh’s restaurants remain as they were with the following five restaurants all retaining their one star status:
Restaurant Martin Wishart
Heron
Condita
Timberyard
The Kitchin
Four bib gourmands were also awarded to the city’s establishments. These were equally split between Stuart Ralston and Tom Kitchin.
Kitchin’s gastropub duo of The Scran & Scallie and The Bonnie Badger, which he runs with wife Michaela, both retained their bibs. For Ralston it was established small plate restaurant Noto and his new venture tipo that were honoured.
Elsewhere, the team at recently-opened Montrose announced the launch of a set lunch menu that’s available on both Saturday and Sunday between 12:00-14:30. Patrons can expect to pay £49 for three courses.
A similar set menu is offered in Montrose’s wine bar which is located on the ground floor of the building. Prices here are lower. Two courses cost £20 and three courses £25.
Paul Gunning, owner and chef at Stockbridge’s Purslane Restaurant has taken over 187 Great Junction Street, better known as the former premises of Aurora. After receiving the keys in late January, Gunning has already managed to open Aurora’s replacement, Dùthchas.
The restaurant offers a six-course tasting menu that’s (mainly) inspired by seasonal Scottish produce. At £95 it's the same price as Purslane’s tasting menu and offers a similar style of cooking, no surprise given the miraculously pace at which Dùthchas was opened.
Finally, Eat Out Edinburgh is returning for the entirety of March. For those unaware, this “festival” is a time when establishments in the city centre offer promotions throughout the month. These involve the serving of special set menus and, sometimes, a discount on dining. Over 40 restaurants and bars are taking part including Baba and Ka Pao.
Now, a recommendation: Imperial Palace
Everyone has their own reasons for returning to Imperial Palace. Turnip cake, chicken feet and king prawn cheung fun are some of mine. After eating them numerous times I’ve come to the belief that dim sum of this calibre should not be confined to memory alone. Evidently, vast swathes of the city agree. The huge dining room is always packed, buzzing with the chatter of excited guests and managed by a team of incredibly adept waiters.
Thankfully, dim sum is available everyday (apart from Wednesday) between 12:00 and 17:15, giving the entire city ample opportunity to gorge themselves on steamed dumplings and char siu. With such a selection on offer, finding your own reasons to frequent Imperial Palace is no difficulty. If your anything like me, the real challenge will be finding the self-control to stop.
I am based in Dubai and there is a growing view but some food cognoscenti that one of the one stars here are overdue for a downgrading. How does this compare vs Edinburgh? Are they firm or flimsy one stars?