Newsbites
Flat white
New Wave Flat White
For many, a flat white is a cup of black coffee with a splash of milk. Not any more. Starbucks has just launched in Edinburgh, ‘Flat White’- a stronger coffee that is made from two shots of 100% Fairtrade certified espresso served in a smaller cup crowned with steamed whole-milk making a more creamy drink. The milk is ‘stretched and spun’ giving it a velvety texture, allowing the coffee to rise through the froth and Starbucks trained baristas make pretty ‘foam art’ on the top of your coffee. Aussies and Kiwis will know about the Flat White originating from their homelands, adopted by Starbucks after customers in London were asking for their coffee to be made in this way. Alan Hartney, Starbucks Coffee Ambassador, said, “We’ve noticed that coffee drinkers are becoming very specific about their coffee and there are a growing number of customers looking for a stronger, more intense coffee flavour. Customers coming into our stores are becoming much more comfortable asking for their coffee just the way they want it."
Fancy giving it a go yourself, Strabucks are holding specialist ‘Coffee Master Classes’ in their coffeehouses. Find out more by visiting www.yourperfectcoffee.co.uk.
La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita
With three restaurants under his belt, Tony Crolla has a new baby, Taste of Italy is due to open its doors at the end of February. A prime spot for cinema and theatregoers, this Italian caffè and take-away is on the corner of London Road and Leith Walk where the Bronx Diner used to be. The long opening hours (7.30am-1am) means that it is the perfect spot for early birds wanting a freshly cooked breakfast as well as late night revellers dropping in for a quick bowl of pasta. Food is great value with a breakfast roll at £1.50, take-away pasta from £3.95 -£6.95, sitting in will cost you £4.95 -£7.95, 14” pizza - £9, grilled steak with chips and salad leaves is only £7.50! A litre of Sicilian wine is under a tenner. Locally sourced ingredients, freshly prepared, in comfortable surroundings is just what this corner of town needs. Ciao!
Taste of Italy,
9 Baxter’s Place
0131 557 9998
Kinloch
Stars and Bars
Earlier in the year, the Isle of Skye gained its first Michelin star at one of Scotland’s best-loved hotels, Claire and Godfrey Macdonald’s superb Kinloch Lodge. The award recognises the talent of Marcello Tully, who joined the team as head chef in 2007 and has created an exceptional menu that focuses on local and seasonal ingredients; Kinloch also retains its Red Grape Award for their wine list. The hotel has also launched their new whisky bar in partnership with another of Skye’s icons, the malt whisky distillers Talisker. Claire Macdonald commented, “This is an exciting collaboration which signals the start of a fantastic relationship with one of Skye’s best loved brands.”
What better place to enjoy a wee dram of amber nectar than in Kinloch’s Talisker Bar after one of Marcello’s superb dinners.
Kinloch Lodge,
Sleat,
Isle of Skye
01471 833333
www.kinloch-lodge.co.uk