The opening of The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen on 22 October marks the arrival of a new restaurant for the city and brings to its tables the finest ingredients Scotland’s larder has to offer.
The restaurant on George Street nods to the capital’s rich literary heritage: number 25 was home in the 1780s to the acclaimed novelist Susan Ferrier, the equal of Jane Austen, according to Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Burns was a frequent visitor. Later, in 1840, records show one John Oliphant living there – and Oliphant’s and Ferrier’s descendants founded Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, one of Scotland’s most prestigious publishing houses.
The vision for the restaurant has been developed by one of London’s most respected restaurateurs, Des McDonald. With over 20 years’ experience running some of city’s most high profile establishments, he has shaped every aspect of The Printing Press from the concept, design and menu to bring a new restaurant experience to Edinburgh’s dining scene.
The Printing Press is the first venture in Scotland for the ex-Ivy head chef and former CEO of Caprice Holdings, whose London restaurants include Vintage Salt, Q Grill and Holborn Dining Room at London’s Rosewood Hotel.
Colin Fleming, Head Chef
For Edinburgh, Des has enlisted the talents of Lanarkshire-born Colin Fleming as Head Chef for the new 180 seat restaurant and bar.
“We set out with a clear vision to create seasonal dishes that are bursting with flavour and reflective of the local produce found on Scotland’s doorstep,” says Des. “We’ve achieved that goal by working with a variety of handpicked suppliers who meet our exacting standards.
“Collaborating with The Printing Press team has taken me to some remarkable places including the Queensberry Estate at Drumlanrig Castle, which is home to the people behind Buccleuch Beef, just one of the highly reputable suppliers we are working with. Making use of the world-class quality of ingredients in Scotland is something we have rightfully championed.”
World-class quality of ingredients
One of the menu’s signature dishes is the Spatchcock Borders grouse, served with red cabbage and brambles. The game is supplied by Campbell Brothers, who bring more than 100 years of butchery experience, and is unconventionally prepared using a Josper grill to give a unique coal charred flavour. Served with sweet brambles, foraged from the forests of Scotland, this combination creates a beautifully satisfyingdish.
Slip soles caught off the coast of Peterhead and cooked on the bone with a squeeze of lemon and dose of butter create a simple, fresh dish of irrefutable quality that’s served alongside brown shrimps and capers.
The Printing Press menu is also home to a range of delicious starters including Perthshire wood pigeon sustainably sourced through Campbell Brothers, which sits on the plate alongside colourful heritage beetroot and seasonal hazelnut crowdie.
Scottish favourite the potato scone also features, flavoured with winter ingredients of horseradish and fennel. This modern, seasonal take on the Scottish classic is plated with Loch Duart salmon from the Scottish Highlands that is cured and smoked over oak chips in house.
Photography by James Nader
The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, 21-25 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PB
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