Festival FOOD & DRINK SUPPORTED BY
POPPING UP
David Pollock discovers some of the best new food pop-ups at this year’s festival
T he movement of Underbelly’s big purple cow from Bristo Square to George Square and their circus tent incursion onto the Meadows has shifted the hub of Fringe activity a little further south this year. But even if you stroll past it everyday, you might have missed one of the pop-ups we’re most excited about.
Brought to the Fringe by some of the team behind Checkpoint Charlie on Bristo Place a few years back, Holy Garage (George Square Lane, daily 10am–3am) is a bar, café and ad hoc events venue in an old lock-up where George Square meets the Meadows. With a canopied exterior space and an arts roster including cinema, music and other Fringe acts, it’ll be serving absinthe, Barney’s beer, coffee, Twelve Triangles’ fantastic doughnuts, toast and croissants from morning until early (next) morning. Another Edinburgh old-stager is also back with a new pop-up in the heart of the city. Known as the former proprietor of Oloroso and for his television work, Tony Singh (pictured) has brought his food stand to the Fringe for the last couple of years, but this time he’s got a temporary sit-down restaurant, Road Trip (Apex International Hotel, 31–35 Grassmarket, 300 3456, daily noon–midnight). Reflecting his wide taste in styles, Singh’s low-priced menu will feature everything from a good old Scottish single fish to Vietnamese pho and his signature haggis pakora.
Elsewhere, there are more local favourites. Tollcross coffee geek’s paradise Machina Espresso has set up in Old Town for the month (5 Victoria Street, Sun–Thu 8am–8pm, Fri/Sat 8am–3am, machina-espresso.co.uk/pages/events), with coffee from top roasteries the Barn in Berlin and Clifton in Bristol, sandwiches, soups from Union of Genius, pastries from La Petite Francais, beer from Williams Bros and a range of wine. There will also be art and photography exhibitions and live bands and DJs later at night on the weekend. Since it became partly pedestrianised, George Street has become abuzz with what you might call permanent pop-up food areas, although one we’re particularly keen on is just there for the festival. Sited outside the Dome, the Lobster Shack (outside 14 George Street, 0748 112 4987, lobstershack.co.uk) is the travelling incarnation of North Berwick’s well-known seafood supplier, and is serving up a wide range of informal crustacean snacks and meals in a seated outdoor spot. Not far away at the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound, meanwhile, Gallery Suppers (225 1550, 12 & 26 Aug, events@contini. com), offers a prosecco reception, an evening guided tour of the gallery and a seasonal three-course supper in Victor and Carini Contini’s Scottish Restaurant downstairs. Note that bookings must be made in advance.
E T A L
: 5 P O T
G N I N I D T H G I N
OX184 Steaks, burgers and more cooked on a wood- i red grill in this Cowgate megabar from the Holyrood 9A team. Serving until 4.30am during August. 184 Cowgate
KEBAB MAHAL This wonderful wee place has a kebab shop-meets- greasy spoon vibe. Yet the curries are authentic, and it’s open until the wee hours. 7 Nicolson Square VITTORIA The spacious city centre outpost of Leith’s much-loved and long-serving Italian restaurant has a midnight licence during the festival. 19 George IV Bridge
POMEGRANATE The very lovely and affordable Middle Eastern menu here at the top of Leith Walk is available until midnight or later on busy nights. 1 Antigua Street
CIVERINO’S
ITALIAN STREET FOOD AND PIZZA SLICE BAR The name should tell you all you need to know, right? Open and serving until well after midnight. 5 Hunter Square
RECOMMENDS . . . RECOMMENDS . . .
VITTORIA ON VITTORIA ON THE BRIDGE EDINBURGH
Award-winning Vittoria on the Bridge is part of the renowned Vittoria Group and one of Edinburgh’s most popular eateries, offering delicious, fresh authentic dishes and fabulous Italian hospitality.
vittoriagroup.co.uk
26 THE LIST FESTIVAL 13–20 Aug 2015