So where shall we go?

Is it a grand lunch with the whole family? Cocktails with the girls or sinking a few with the boys? Or a business breakfast with key contacts in atmosphere of brisk sophistication? One Seven Two at The Caird is the perfect venue for all occasions. Forget what you know about The Caird, as chances are you might not have realised what it’s all about these days. Over the last year, this vibrant venue in the heart of Dundee’s cultural quarter has been transformed and now it’s one of the places to go for the type of occasions mentioned above. The building itself is stylish and grand but at The Caird they don’t care what sort of jacket you have on — this is about good times, great food and atmosphere. The chefs work with a passion and whether you’re looking for a sumptuous feast or a burger with your drink, they can deliver. And we might just mention that the burgers are like the chips — home-made. One of the real beauties of The Caird is that they are independent. You can get chain pubs which have the same décor and menu whether it’s Plymouth or Perth, and you can get restaurants where the atmosphere is so high-brow that you’re never going to properly relax. The Caird hits an elusive level that’s slightly in between – you’re getting the quality and the atmosphere but you don’t have to wear a suit or a tux to fit in. The luxury is relaxed, the ambience is amiable. The Caird has joined the hotels, restaurants and pubs in the Park Leisure stable and has already benefited from the vast experience and knowledge the Marr family and their team have accrued over the past 30 years. And one element being introduced is a new twist on a traditional Sunday High Tea, featuring home baking and artisanal jams and marmalades, perfect for families who like menu staples taken to the next level. There’s also talk of paired whisky and wine meals so that diners can experience The Caird’s food and drink at its best. The highly experienced and knowledgeable front of house staff can mix up a cocktail to delight or offer their opinion on the best whiskies and gins available from The Caird’s soon to be installed gin and whisky walls. The staff have also been carefully recruited to be the perfect ambassadors for the Caird experience. 172 at The Caird is a unique, one-of-a kind eatery in the heart of Dundee. We have something for everyone.

“I’m so excited about the future of 172 at The Caird. So watch this space!”

Leading the team is general manager Janine Marshall, and this is a lady who loves her job. “As general manager of 172 at The Caird, life is non-stop but I adore it,” she says. “Not a single day is the same and, with being as busy as we are, I get to meet the most wonderful and interesting people who come to dine with us — I could be writing paperwork one minute and pouring Pina Coladas the next! “From our newly launched menus to our booming cocktail classes, going to work has never been so exciting. Our venue is such a beautiful place to work in, too — I’ve even decided to have my own wedding here! “I have to say, what makes our restaurant so successful and welcoming has to be the team behind me, too. From bar tenders to servers and our excellent chefs, I expect the very highest standards of them and so there is no job that is easier or harder than the other. “We work together as a team and because of that we are more like a close-knit family. I’m so excited about the future of 172 at The Caird, to reach its highest potential and beyond. So watch this space!” And keep it under your hat, but there could be something special happening down in the basement at the Caird before too long. It’s a bit hush-hush, all we’re saying right now is that you might have to knock softly and remember your password…