New opening ‘The Captain Darling’ is coming to Hamilton Place in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge neighbourhood at the end of this month.
The new pub and restaurant is the latest from the city’s Òir Group, which has operated restaurants Bodega & Lucky Yu for over a decade.
The independent company, led by owner/director John Howard, has indicated that The Captain Darling is actually the first in a series of openings that it has lined up over the next nine months.
Òir’s new Stockbridge venture is described as a ‘social hub for the whole community’, ready to open its doors to ‘everyone in search of a relaxed and comfortable space to enjoy time together with friends, family and their four-legged companions’.
Scott Smith, former chef patron of Edinburgh’s multi-award-winning restaurant, Fhior, has teamed up with the Òir Group for the launch of The Captain Darling, overseeing its kitchen as part of his new venture providing hospitality businesses with ‘bespoke catering solutions’.
Opening seven days a week from lunchtime until late, The Captain Darling is intended as a ‘classic pub venue’ with dedicated bar space for people to drop in throughout the day to enjoy a range of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails, and a separate dining area with an all-day modern pub style menu, serving classic dishes like prawn cocktail and handmade savoury pies, plus a selection of meats cooked over coals and a speciality Sunday roast.
The venue is expected to create 20 new jobs and provide seated space for around 100 customers.
Howard said: “With The Captain Darling, we want to create a proper pub in the heart of Stockbridge – somewhere that feels part of the neighbourhood from day one.
“It’s going to be a place people can rely on, whether they’re dropping in for a quick pint, catching up with friends, or sitting down for a good meal.
“We will be open seven days a week with a relaxed, welcoming vibe, and a strong bar and food menu at its core. Great drinks, quality food, friendly service, a bit of atmosphere – and yes, dogs are always welcome.”
Chef Smith added: “The food’s an important part of The Captain Darling, but it’s not about being a ‘gastro pub.’ We’re keeping things classic – well-made, seasonal dishes that are created to be full of flavour.
“A key feature will be our grill section, with a rotating selection of meats cooked over coals – proper pub cooking with a bit of flair. Our Sunday roast, with porchetta front and centre, is something we hope becomes a bit of a local tradition.”
