Virgin Hotels has announced its luxury restaurant and bar the Commons Club has opened in Edinburgh.
Situated in the newly opened Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, the 'modern day social club' will officially open to the public on Tuesday June 14. For those eager to get ahead of the crowd, reservations can now be made directly on the hotel’s website here.
Nestled across two floors, Commons Club is designed to be a playful yet sophisticated environment for guests to eat, drink and relax in the heart of Edinburgh and will showcase contemporary Scottish seasonal cuisine using the freshest produce straight from Scotland’s local larder for diners.
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Newly appointed Executive Chef, Steven Wilson, has created a menu that will cater to all tastes.
For starters, guests can enjoy an array of stunning dishes including;
- Ceviche with line-caught & cured wild seabass, shaved fennel, dill, nashi pear and green olive puree.
- Wagyu Tataki with Scottish wagyu beef “Tataki style”, fried garlic, ponzu green onion puree and parsnip crisp.
- Risotto with Scottish farm spelt & barley risotto, baby morels, lightly-roasted almonds and shaved fresh summer truffle.
Moving onto mains, guests can choose between;
- Halibut with pan-seared Gigha halibut, confit aromatic farm seasonal vegetables in a light saffron and Shetland blue mussels velouté.
- Slow roast Perthshire chicken “dinner” with fondant potato, baby leek, morel mushrooms and fresh peas, crispy chicken and Pata Negra croquet, bread sauce, roast chicken jus and chive oil.
- Isle of Mull seaweed tortellini pasta filled with wild herb ricotta, clay oven-roasted artichoke, pea and feve etuvee, vegetarian parmesan air.
Guests can also explore a range of bespoke cocktails created with locality in mind, helping to bring a sense of Scotland into each of the flavours.
From a ‘Breakfast in the Highlands’ made with Glenfiddich 15 Single Malt Whisky, Brown Butter, Toasted Oat Amontillado Sherry, Heather Honey and Bittered Sling Kensington Aromatic, to a ‘Queen Street’ made with Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum, Martini Reserva Ambrato, Lemon, Celery Bitters and Islay mist, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Commons Club is situated within the brand-new Virgin Hotels Edinburgh located in the landmark India Buildings in Edinburgh’s Old Town, a stone’s throw from Edinburgh Castle.
The finished pet-friendly hotel will feature 222 Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites and multiple dining and drinking outlets, all with their own unique space and distinct design.
Later in the year, an all-day dining space under the name of Eve, will join the Commons Club offering late night entertainment.
The hotel site is also home to a 19th century church, known as Greyfriars Hall, that is being beautifully restored and repurposed as a special event venue. In addition, the hotel will offer a rooftop sanctuary with unobstructed Edinburgh Castle views.
Scott McArdle, General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, commented: “Edinburgh is such an iconic city and we’re thrilled it will be the home of our flagship restaurant and bar within the first Virgin Hotels in the UK and across Europe.
"Commons Club is a unique offering that will complement the current offering of the hotel. The food and drink menus will bring an array of local flavours to the table and can’t wait to welcome everyone in to try them."
Steven Wilson, Executive Chef of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, said: "After years of travelling the world and working in some unforgettable restaurants and hotels, I'm so excited to be back in my hometown and to be part of this iconic opening in Edinburgh.
“We really do have access to the highest quality local produce right on our doorstep in Scotland and that’s something the menu at Commons Club celebrates. Guests will enjoy our timeless menu that will continue to evolve with the seasons, keeping them coming back time and time again.”
All guests can sign up for the brand-wide guest preferences and loyalty program ‘ The Know ’, which grants a personalised hotel experience that allows for access to room upgrades, member rates, special events and a complimentary cocktail hour in Commons Club - all when booking directly with Virgin Hotels.
All Chambers and Suites have integrated tech capabilities, which can control lighting, thermostats, TVs, and order room service directly via the mobile app, Lucy which is exclusively available to Know members. Lucy also gives guests the ability to check in prior to arrival and can be used as an access key to their Chambers.
Chambers are also pet friendly, with complimentary ‘pet-menities’ available, including dog beds and food and water dishes.
Reservations for the hotel are also open and can be made directly on the hotel’s website www.virginhotels.com/edinburgh.
