Edinburgh restaurants recognised in UK-wide food awards

Four Edinburgh restaurants have been recognised in the Observer Food Monthly Awards (OFM) 2022.

Winners announced yesterday included celebrity chef Delia Smith, who picked up the OFM Icon Award, and cost of living crisis campaigner Jack Monroe, who was named Food Hero.

Although there were no local winners, four Edinburgh restaurants made the shortlist in two award categories.

Three Edinburgh restaurants made up the Scottish shortlist for Best Sunday Lunch. They were The Ox bar on London Street, gastropub the Scran and Scallie at Comely Bank Road and steak restaurant Kyloe at the Rutland Hotel on Rutland Street. The award went to The Queen o’ t’ owd Thatch, South Milford.

Staff at the Scran & Scallie, with owner Tom Kitchin.

While, Dean Banks at the Pompadour, Waldorf Astoria at the Caledonian Hotel on Princess Street, was on the shortlist for Best Restaurant of the year. However, it was York restaurant Roots that picked up the title.

Speaking about his restaurant, Joe Humphrey, general manager at The Ox, which opened in 2014, said: “We didn't have any money for any PR, advertising or launch parties at the beginning so we had to build our reputation putting in very long hours and build it slowly through word of mouth. its been a labour of love and we are still as passionate about it today as then.

"We are very much a community pub that puts its emphasis on locally sourced ingredients using small suppliers as much as possible. Most of our guests are local or return visitors although we certainly benefit these days from tourists who have heard about our Sunday roast.

"We currently have 15 team members and are open for lunch and dinner all day, seven days a week.”

The Scran & Scallie on Comely Bank Road.

Mike Lewis, general manager at the Rutland Hotel, which opened the Kyloe restaurant in 2010, that currently has 35 staff members, said: “It was great to be considered for an award. We have had our Sunday roast offer available for 10 years and we have been trying to be true to the quality of food we deliver ever since. The Sunday roast is very popular with our customers.

"We have just changed the offer slightly. Obviously people are price conscious just now, so we offer a 28 day rump roast which is well priced. And we still offer our rump beef with unlimited servings.”

Commenting on the recognition for The Scran & Scallie, chef and owner Tom Kitchin said: “We’re incredibly proud to have so many loyal guests and to have become such a big part of the community in Stockbridge over the years. Our entire team is honoured to have been recognised by our guests and readers in the awards and we look forward to welcoming familiar faces as well as new guests for many more Sunday lunches to come.”