Kitchin reveals details of his new Bruntsfield bistro

Tom Kitchin is to open a new restaurant in Bruntsfield - Southside Scran.

Bringing his now signature “from nature to plate” style to the Southside, the new restaurant, Southside Scran, will centre around an open rotisserie where daily cuts of meat, fish and vegetables will be grilled.

The former Footworks sports shop will be revamped and open for diners to try the new menu in November.

Tom said he wanted to create a place where family and friends can enjoy top quality Scottish produce in their local neighbourhood, and Bruntsfield was the ideal location.

Tom said: “Over the years we have often been asked when we’re going to open a restaurant in the south side of Edinburgh.

“Bruntsfield is very charming and it just felt like the right place for us to create a neighbourhood restaurant where people can enjoy a meal with their family and friends.”

“The open rotisserie has long been a dream of ours and we can’t wait to showcase new dishes and ways of cooking with Scotland’s incredible produce.”

Head Chef Craig McKenzie, who has worked with Tom Kitchin for seven years, will head up the kitchen team.

The interior has been designed by Tom’s wife Michaela and Stephen Paterson of Burn’s Design and will be decked out in shades of dark green and rust-coloured pink, with natural light from the large street-facing windows.

Southside Scran will join area mainstays The Apartment bistro and Henricks opposite, Thai Lemongrass further up the road and popular contemporary Scottish eatery Three Birds.

Newcomers independent charcuterie restaurant Clark and Lake, Chop House and daytime have proven the  appetite in the area for quality food venues.

New neighbour Ora Beauty’s owner Nadine Ramsay said they are excited about the arrival of Tom Kitchin in Bruntsfield.

She said: “There has been a lot of “word on the street” about the Bruntsfield Place empty premises and when we finally heard that it would be Tom Kitchin opening a trendy new restaurant we were absoulutly thrilled.

“I’ve been in business in Bruntsfield for just over two years and it’s a really lovely thriving area with plenty of unique individual boutiques and shops.

“We like to support each other in our business community and I think we are all in agreement that it will certainly be wonderful for the area to have the Southside Scran literally on our doorstep.

“Recently we have seen the Chop house and Black Ivy open their doors in the area and I definatly feel that Bruntsfield is the go to area in Edinburgh right now.

“From a personal point fo view, I think it will be great to have another high end business next door instead of an empty shop, It will certainly be great for my customers – enjoy a lovely manicure and pop next door for a cocktail, what could be nicer? My only consern is with such cool places to eat and drink, we are spoilt for choice!

Diners will enter Southside Scran through the bar, before reaching the dining room, bedecked in a mix of rustic wood and classic floor tiles in a nod to traditional French bistro style.

The drinks list will have a strong wine focus, with a selection of wines picked by Kitchin Group’s Head Sommelier Joel Bastian from a variety of small independent producers, both old and new world.

As with the menu, an array of cocktails will change depending on what’s in season.

Edinburgh council granted planning permission to turn the retail property into a restaurant in 2016 and The Kitchin Group received the green light last week to alter the shop front.

It will be the first time that Kitchin Group has brought the “from nature to plate” philosophy to the south side of the city, following the success of The Kitchin in Leith, Castle Terrace, and The Scran & Scallie in Stockbridge.

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