Social Bite restaurant relaunched in a new partnership

A restaurant that allowed customers to “pay forward” meals for homeless people is being relaunched in a new partnership.

Home opened in Edinburgh in September 2016 as a project between Social Bite and Dean Gassabi of Maison Bleue.

It provided training opportunities, a homeless meal service and encouraged customers to “pay forward” meals for those in need.

It was visited by Oscar winner Leonardo Dicaprio in November 2016 who praised the concept.

The Queensferry Street site is now being relaunched as Vesta in a new venture between Social Bite and David Hall, who previously led The Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchens and Tigerlily. The refurbished restaurant opened yesterday (FRI) and will “honour the legacy of Home” by continuing training places and meals for the homeless. Bosses said the name Vesta was from the Roman Goddess of hearth, home and family.

Mr Hall said: “We’re continuing what Home was set up to do, and I’m honoured to play a part in Social Bite’s mission to end homelessness in Scotland”.

The restaurant is owned by the Social Bite charity and is supported by leading restaurant figures, including Michelin-starred chef Martin Wishart.

Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, said: “I’m grateful to Dean and his team for all the work that went in to the first two years of the Social Bite restaurant project.”