Scoflands culture leaders air their . political Views
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NEWS GOSSIP OPINION
In with the new
New restaurants dominate The List’s Eating and Drinking Awards. Words: Allan Radcliffe
s tlle 14th annual [filling and Drinking (fun/c is
published. T/lt' Us! can exclusively reveal the
winners ol‘ tllis year‘s awards for Best Restaurant. Best New Restaurant and Best Budget Restaurant ill Edinburgh and (ilasgow. which were presented at a cerelllony at (ilasgow‘s stylish (‘lassic (hand on 'I‘uesday 24 April. expertly catered by Heart and Buchanan.
New restaurants l‘ealure heavily ill all ol' the main categories. The award-winners were selected from among the 89‘) restaurants l‘eatured in this year‘s guide. Indeed. the panel ol'jtldges — which included guide editors Donald Reid
and Barry Shelby as well as Andrew l-‘irth. proprietor oi
Herbie ol' lidinburgh and ('raig Wood. proprietor and chef at (ilasgow‘s Wee Restaurant —~ selected two relative llewcolllers as the overall Restaurants ol‘ the Year. The Kitchin. where Michelin—starred head chel'l‘om Kitchin has enjoyed a hugely successful lirst year with his Leith venture. took the lidillburgh award. while the Bistro at One [)evonshil'e. which opened in 3006 and has quickly garnered a reputation for bold and inventive cuisine. won the (ilasgovv accolade. Botll restaurants were paltictllal'ly praised for their
scltlpulous sourcing ol' seasonal Scottish produce.
With I50 new restaurants opening ill central Scotland ill the past year. the judging ol' the Best Newcomer category proved particularly tricky. In the end. the innovative menu at lidinburgh's Abstract and (ilasgow‘s l.el‘t Bank. which has been widely commended for its buzzing atmosphere. great value and excellent home cooking. proved the strongest contenders.
It was lel‘t to the Best Budget category to reward the more established restaurants. (ilasgow‘s Mediterranean—
styled Konaki and First (‘oast. a popular mainstay of
Edinburgh‘s lood scene. were considered the best places for a meal under l; l 5.
A new category. the Judges Special Award. this year
honoured [am .I Mellis. proprietor of one of Scotland’s lillest cheesemongers. Having opened their first traditional cheese shops ill 1993. lain and Karen Mellis now have shops ill (ilasgovv. lidillbul‘gh. Aberdeen and St Andrews and have branched out illto wholesale and al‘l’illagc. testament to the l’act that Scots have an eye - and nose -— for good food.
GHOST FEST RETURNS TO
HAUNT MARY KING'S CLOSE
I Now in its third year, Mary King’s Ghost Fest will send shivers through Edinburgh’s Old Town from Friday 11-Sun 20 May. The packed line-up of ghoulish events includes a joint paranormal investigation into Edinburgh’s underworld, overnight vigils in the Blair Street vaults and several electronic voice phenomenon workshops as well as talks and workshops with television paranormal investigators Dr Ciaran O’Keeffe and Steve Parsons. Storytelling and historical tours will take place at such landmarks as the Camera Obscura and John Knox House while the programme also includes Infrasound Tours, 3 world first. This hair-raising programme is augmented by screenings of spooky classics at the Cameo, including The Innocents and Poltergeist. www.edinburghghostfest.co.uk (AR)
.‘ll Apr 15} Mir, .“X
I Music and literature are coming together to form a death defying team courtesy of new Scottish super group Super Puny Humans. The line-up of Y’All ls Fantasy Island, Zoey van Goey and novelist Alan Bissett sets off on a tour of the central belt, including gigs at Edinburgh’s Cabaret Voltaire and Glasgow’s Oran Mor, beginning Thursday 3 May. See listings. www.superpuny humans.co.uk
I Entries are being SOnght for the Glasgow photonlarathon. which takes place on Saturday 16 June. The unique photograpl'lic competition. which kicks off at the city's Mitchell Library. takes place over 12 hours. with 1.? specially selected entrants being given a 12— plcture film and asked to take 1? llllages of 12 given topics. To enter and for more llllorlllation visit www. photo lllarathoncouk
I This year’s debut writer’s festival will take place at the Traverse Theatre from Friday 8-Sunday 10 June. The programme includes a number of enticing readings and debates as well as an unpublished authors jam session. Tickets can be purchased from the Traverse box office, while further information is available at www.debutauthorsfestival. co.uk
I Fans of Oran Mor's A Play. A Pie and A Pint series of lunchtillle dralllas. which has presented new works by the likes of Liz Lochhead. Jackie Kay and Louise Welsh, can now purchase several of the scripts from the Scottish Playwrights" Studio's bookshop. To find out what‘s available email infotaiplay wrightsstudiocouk
THE LIST 7