Gardener's Cottage chefs open new restaurant in Leith

Owners of Gardener’s Cottage, off London Road, are turning up the heat in Leith by launching Quay Commons – which will be centred around an on-site bakery.

The sweet scent of freshly baked bread will waft from the converted bonded warehouse on Commercial Street, where chefs Dale Mailley and Ed Murray have moved to expand on the success of Gardener’s Cottage – one The Times’ top 100 restaurants in the UK.

Rubbing shoulders with foodie royalty, including neighbours such as Michelin-starred The Kitchin, Quay Commons aims to celebrate bread in all its varieties.

Co-founder and chef proprietor Dale Mailley said: “The bakery element is where everything comes from and everything is tailored to compliment the bakery element.”

The industrious space will also be geared towards a more relaxed style of eating, where hungry workers from nearby offices can grab a pain au chocolat, a slice of carrot cake or an organic chicken sandwich.

The open-plan bakery will feature a bar and eating space where patrons can enjoy a daily market menu alongside bread, house-cured charcuterie and carefully selected wines.

The seasonal and fresh lunch and dinner menu will feature flatbreads, simple pasta dishes and house-butchered charcuterie.

Dale said: “We are humbled to be opening a sister restaurant to our much-loved Gardener’s Cottage, and that Leith – an iconic part of Edinburgh with such a rich heritage of food – will be our home.

“As we get up and running in our new premises, we extend an invitation to all, to visit us for a coffee, a glass of wine or a slice of freshly baked sourdough.”

The sleek interior is a departure from the homely, rustic decor of Gardener’s Cottage, which Dale said reflects the new much less formal style of eating.

“It’s an all-day operation so is less restricted to diners who would have to book in for a lunch or dinner time – we’re open to all-day grazing,” Dale added.

And the team are maintaining the high standards expected of the Gardener’s Cottage team, but at a more affordable price where there is no set menu.

Staff from nearby offices such as the Scottish Government at Victoria Quay will be encouraged to use the restaurant as work place, with superfast free wifi on offer.

Quay Commons will also operate as a wine shop where guests can buy boutique bottles at shop prices before enjoying a glass on-site and taking the remainder home.

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