Village steaks claim to 15 new jobs
Diners flock to unique eaterie
Lynn Jolly
lynn.jolly@trinitymirror.com Reporters Reporters
Gavin McInally Gavin McInally
gavin.mcinally@trinitymirror.com gavin.mcinally@trinitymirror.com
alison.rennie@trinitymirror.com alison.rennie@trinitymirror.com
ron.moore@trinitymirror.com ron.moore@trinitymirror.com
chris.taylor@trinitymirror.com chris.taylor@trinitymirror.com
David Campbell
david.campbell01@trinitymirror.comSport craig.ritchie@trinitymirror.com
Sport craig.ritchie@trinitymirror.com A new steakhouse has brought 15 jobs to a village – as well as a unique dining experience that involves a huge meat fridge.
Elderslie Butcher’s Steak and Grill will give diners the chance to choose their cut of meat from the only glass- fronted fridge in Scotland.
Gavin Colquhoun, the man behind the award- winning Elderslie Butchers and the Elderslie Coffee Shop, says the new venture attracted 900 bookings in just three days ahead of its opening last night.
He said: “We have had so much support from the local community. “It’s been unbelievable.” The glass-fronted fridge set in the restaurant was inspired by a classic New York steakhouse.
Gavin, 34, explained: “A customer came in to our butcher’s shop and showed me a picture of Gallagher’s in New York .
“It has this big glass- fronted fridge and I thought, if we ever do a restaurant I want us to do that.
“Our fridge engineer didn’t sleep for four months getting it installed. “It’s the only one in Scotland. “But it’s really important, because today people are really interested where their food comes from and we can say, look this is what you are getting.”
Since opening The Elderslie Butchers – which has won numerous awards – five years ago, Gavin and his business partner Danny Muir have been busy.
Two years ago they opened the Elderslie Coffee Shop and now they have added the Butcher’s Steak and Grill to their portfolio.
He said: “We employ eight people at the butchers, six at the coffee shop and now 15 at the restaurant.
“Its really important to us to employ local people.
“The menu has lots of local produce on it, and that is important too. It’s good Scottish food. We live in one of the best countries in the world and sometimes people forget that.
“I think there is a lot of doom and gloom around the economy but I’m of the opinion that if you keep doing what you are doing then people will come.
“The Steak and Grill is quite highend inside but we want to keep it really relaxed for the customers.”
Gavin has paid tribute to his staff and the local community for their support. The whole team have been great, we have a really good team here and the local community have been so supportive,” he added.