The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen opened in George Street at the end of October – and already is commanding a loyal following – including me – I was lucky enough to go one of the openings and was blown away by the passion, imagination and quality of the ingredients. Scallops from Loch Fyne with squid-ink blackened barley – fantastic textures and flavours, wood pigeon with a hazelnut crowdie- a brilliant duo and venison grilled – on the oh so of the moment but oh so effective Josper grill – which heats to a searingly hot 400 degrees C served with braised cabbage and brambles and a blissful cranberry and blossom honey burnt cream to finish.
Worth arriving early for a pre dinner drink – and perhaps never moving on to dinner – there are some classic house cocktails – Blackwoods Bramble- tastes like a very innocent Ribena but beneath its dark purple cloak lurks Blackwoods gin, crème de mure and steeped brambles. I love Cointreau so was a fan straight away of the Side Car – Cointreau and lemon juice and French brandy.
Number 25 George St was once Jo Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, one of Scotland’s most prestigious publishing houses and so Printing Press is a nod to its prestigious inky history.The vision for the restaurant has been developed by one of London’s most respected restaurateurs, Des McDonald. With over 20 years’ experience running some of city’s most high profile establishments, he has shaped every aspect of The Printing Press from the concept, design and menu to bring a new restaurant experience to Edinburgh’s dining scene. The Printing Press is the first venture in Scotland for the ex-Ivy head chef and former CEO of Caprice Holdings,whose London restaurants include Vintage Salt, Q Grill and Holborn Dining Room at London’s Rosewood Hotel.For Edinburgh, Des has enlisted the talents of Lanarkshire-born Colin Fleming as Head Chef for the new 180 seat restaurant and bar.
With décor and branding taking influence from a 1920s speakeasy, it looks like the Printing Press will makes its mark.
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