Food for thought as city chefs step up to the plate
The city’s restaurant trade has arguably been hit hardest by the Covid-19 outbreak with hundreds of outlets faced with no choice but to call last orders for the foreseeable future.
A sizable number of restaurants initially offered slimmed down versions of their menus for delivery and takeaway but with increased awareness of self-isolation and travel restrictions it became difficult to maintain.
However a number of determined chefs have pledged to keep serving and are offering limited delivery options. Here is a selection:
Roots, William Street
Are offering Roots Veg Boxes with zero contact delivery and collection options. Ten per cent discount for pre-paid orders of four weeks or more. For vulnerable or financially desperate people Roots will attempt to supply free of charge.
Visit www.facebook.com/ RootsEdin/ for latest info. Merienda, Raeburn Place Michelin award-winning
Merienda are offering a Social Distancing menu for delivery in and around Edinburgh. With sister catering company Exec
Chef Cuisine they will deliver food to help stock fridges and freezers and they are also licenced to deliver wines from their well-stocked cellar. eat-merienda.com
Fhior, Broughton Street are working with small local suppliers to delivery quality produce to customers’ doors. They said:
“Our amazing team at Fhior are currently volunteering to get this service up and running. We would like to reassure we have them working from home as much as possible on this project with the exception of our small fulfilment and delivery team.” instagram.com/fhiorrestaurant/ Cheesemonger I J Mellis is doing a home delivery service Monday to Friday to homes in the EH1 to EH17 postcodes which can also include eggs, bread and milk. Orders by 10am for same day delivery. mellischeese.net/buy/
Edinburgh Reporter featured chef
Barry Bryson of Cater Edinburgh is providing a contemporary fine dining home delivery service throughout the city centre.
A choice of classic dishes includes cottage pie, salmon and hake fish pie, braised beef burgundy, pork, bacon and fennel polpetti with tomato sauce, spiced lamb tagine, lamb shoulder bhuna, beef chipotle chilli ragu, vegan tagine and vegetarian rendang. All orders will come complete with a serving of rice, potato, couscous or pasta, as well as a fresh vegetable box. Cater Edinburgh is offering a choice of large serve dishes that can easily be divided into 30 to 50 portions from one order. This practical format means that meals can be easily portioned and chilled in the fridge for a number of days or stored in the freezer for up to six months.
All pre-paid online orders will be carefully prepared by Barry at his commercial kitchen in Leith and delivered to central Edinburgh locations in Cater Edinburgh’s dedicated refrigerated van. Barry can leave orders safely at front doors keeping a safe distance and respecting hygiene and social distancing etiquette, so there will be no hand-to-hand contact.
To place an order, email barry@ cateredinburgh.com, call 07961 573658 www.cateredinburgh.com
Twelve Triangles shops in Duke Street and Brunswick Street, Leith, and in Portobello High Street remain open for take away only and also offer a delivery service. www.twelvetriangles.com
Radicibus in Deanhaugh
Street, Stockbridge are offering a takeaway menu and delivery service to the local area.
The collection option is available Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm-8pm with last orders at
7pm. Deliveries on the same days can be arranged from 8.30pm to 9.30pm (with the last order in at 7.30pm).www.radicibus.co.uk
Smith & Gertrude in Hamilton Place are offering a delivery service Thursday to Sunday for their cheese, charcuterier and wine selections. Wine can be ordered by the bottle and case and mixed boards and bread is available. S&G Home will be adding additional products in the coming days in collobaration with long term suppliers.www.smithandgertrude. com
East Coast Cured in Restalrig Road are operating reduced hours to protect staff and customers, Monday to Saturday noon to 4pm. They are also taking orders by phone and online for collection and local delivery. Charcuterie, cheese, ferments, oatcakes, eggs, milk and bread are just some of the choices.
To place an order call 0131
553 9043 or email hello@ eastcoastcured.com
Aurora in Great Junction Street are offering a Take Away Menu, available Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 8pm for delivery and collection.Starters include butternut squash soup, ham hock terrine and Moroccan spiced koftas. Mains include coq au vin, salmon fishcakes, vegetable moussaka and Calabrian stuffed aubergine. Deliveries can be made to EH1 to EH8 postcodes but if you live outwith those areas give them a call and they may be able to arrange a delivery. Aurora can also offer a small wine and beer selection. Delivery teams will wear personal protective equipment. 0131 554 5537 www.auroraedinburgh.co.uk