Whirlybird, a new ‘modern tavern’, has opened its doors on Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
The team behind the new venture includes operator Ash Bairstow, of the Herringbone restaurant brand; in the Whirlybird kitchen, former Hawksmoor chef Lucia Gregusova; as head of drinks, Panda & Sons alumni Jono McDowell; and leading front of house, from the Kitchin Group, Matt Donaldson.
Taking its name from the Scots word for a sycamore seed spinning to the ground, Whirlybird will seat up to 100 guests across two levels of its 250-year-old building, within four interconnected rooms with original features including a listed spiral staircase, and large windows overlooking Victoria Street. A semi-private dining room is also available, seating up to 16 guests.
Leading Whirlybird’s all-day kitchen, Slovakia-born Gregusova aims to celebrate quality Scottish ingredients, starting with coffee and pastries each morning, followed by a menu of modern takes on classic bistro dishes, sourcing from local producers including Freedom Bakery, Castle Game, Scottish Seafood Co. and Milk & Honey ice creams.
Starters on the opening menu include whipped Crowdie with heritage radish, pumpkin seed crackers and fermented spiced honey; and smoked mackerel, marinated new potatoes, sherry vinaigrette and smoked almonds. Main dishes range from whole grilled fish with brown butter, caper and lemon; seared flat iron steak slices, rocket, parmesan and aged balsamic, and Shetland mussels with fries or focaccia.
As Whirlybird’s head of drinks, McDowell is curating a signature cocktail list, with serves including the Freezer Martini with Tobermory gin, Cocchi Americano and seasonal extra virgin olive oil; the Summer in Spey with Tapatio tequila, Lucky grapefruit, Cocchi Rosa, yuzu cordial, lime, Bon Accord grapefruit soda and tajín; the Whirlybird Highball with Woven whisky, Lucky bramble, maple, citrus and soda; and the West Bow Coffee with Glasgow 1770 whisky, Crossbrew coffee and ginger wine-spiked oat cream.
The Whirlybird bar also has local beers on offer from Pilot, Newbarns and Thistly Cross.
Bairstow said: “We’re delighted to bring this historical building back to life. The Old Town is such a magical place to be, and we cannot wait to share our take on modern hospitality with our Edinburgh audience.”
