New in Food: Gordon Lane, Cairngorm & more
Ever have trouble keeping up with the new restaurants and cafés in Edinburgh and Glasgow? Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. This is our new monthly column on the notable new openings across Scotland, from craft beer bars to charming cafés to ping pong-powered nightspots. Opening a new food and drink venue in Edinburgh or Glasgow? Let us know – send the details to peter.simpson@theskinny.co.uk.
New venues in Edinburgh
First up, a Wind in the Willows-inspired bar in the city centre. Yes, that's right, a Wind in the Willows-inspired bar. Sited at the former home of Willows author Kenneth Grahame, Badger & Co. pays subtle homage to the hijinks of Badger, Ratty, Mole and Mr. Toad in its menu and decor, while the food and drink menus are packed with exciting combinations and interesting ingredients. Pull up a chair, grab a drink and regale/annoy your friends with your best Eric Idle impression. 32 Castle St.
The second outpost from Cairngorm, the West End coffee shop is a world away from Cairngorm's original Frederick Street basement, but the commitment to great coffee is still evident for all to see. It's a bright, airy and simple space that's all stone, long tables and big windows, making it ideal for watching besuited types running late for meetings as you gulp down a flat white. 1 Melville St.
Joining a recent spate of openings in Newington, Carington Mouse is a deli specialising in all the foodie things that make life that bit more interesting. Exotic and intriguing cheeses and nibbles, fresh sandwiches and locally-sourced teas and coffees, tasty Scottish beers, and even some fruit and veg if you feel like doing some cooking. They've got the bases covered, basically. 21 Clerk St.
Doughnuts! Their time has come (although the idea that fist-size cakes filled with custard or jam would ever be out of style seems ludicrous to us), and Baba Budan's spot in the Market Street arches will see them push the limits of what will fit inside a doughnut. Early talk has raised the spectre of flavour combos like coconut & pineapple and white chocolate, cardamon & pink peppercorn – the kind of mad experimentation we thoroughly approve of. Waverley Arches, East Market St.
New venues in Glasgow
Beer tends to be a bit nicer from the tap than from a can that's been sitting in the back of the cupboard for weeks, but pubs often have too few seats or too many people. It's a problem that Grunting Growler have thoroughly nixed with their new shop, serving up draught craft beer in reusable 'growler' bottles, alongside a range of delicious pre-packed brews if you don't want to fully commit to the whole 'growler' thing just yet. 51 Old Dumbarton Rd.
'Street food' – it's a phrase that's taken a bit of a flogging in recent years, but the new Gordon Lane project in Glasgow city centre looks set to up the ante. Taking up semi-permanent residence in Gordon Lane, Julie's Street Kitchen is headed up by chef Julie Macleod, serving up traditional dishes alongside some vegan options, all inspired by her Malaysian mother. Julie's will sit alongside rotisserie stand On Rotation and the cunningly-titled The Bar for the next nine months; head down, and enjoy your authentic street food on a genuine, authentic street. Gordon Ln, off Gordon St.