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What does it take to open up a restaurant in Edinburgh today? What about opening a new restaurant in a spot that used to belong to a beloved, decades old institution? Well if you’re James Clark, the Edinburgh-native and restauranteur behind the Italian enoteca and trattoria Sotto in Stockbrige, the answer is: an entrepreneurial spirit, grit, respect for a venue’s roots, and a deep love of wine and pasta. James joins Kevin and Carlos on an entrepreneurial-themed episode of Eating and Waiting to Eat. Come for James’ (and Sotto’s) multi-faceted origin story (we think James might have been a spy), stay for the geeking out about wine and pasta. Did we mention we talk about wine and pasta? Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here. Connect with this episode’s guest(s) on Instagram: Sotto James Clarke General links from this episode: Sotto Splintr Ping On’s Kenny Mac lunches in James Clark’s Sotto Vittoria Restaurant Group Lidl Champagne  Trattoria Wikipedia Entry Sotto’s Michelin Guide Entry Erbaluci Wikipedia Entry Restaurants and bars mentioned in this episode: The Palmerston Divino The Kebab Mahal LYLA Cafe Gallo

What’s your favorite cake? Where do you stand on scones: sweet or savoury? Carrot cake, nuts or no nuts? Ashley Harley, Chief Operating Officer of Mimi’s Bakehouse and Nami (and daughter of Mimi herself) stops by the studio to answer these questions for Carlos and Kevin and to tell them the truly epic origin story of the beloved Edinburgh institution: Mimi’s Bakehouse. Ashley also expertly outlines the many challenges currently facing the Edinburgh hospitality industry. She speaks the truth in a way that is informative and hopeful. This episode is a masterclass in the entrepreneurial mindset required to both build a business and to make legendary vanilla on vanilla cupcakes (the best kind of cupcake there is).   Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram ⁠here⁠.  Connect with this episode’s guest(s) on Instagram: Mimi’s Bakehouse Mimi’s Gals Nami General links from the episode: Mimi’s Bakehouse Nami Scottish Bakers Association Underbelly Plate Expectations  The Shore Business Collective Royal Yatch Brittania  Restaurants and bars mentioned in the episode:  Machina Coffee  Williams & Johnson Coffee Company Lanaan Twelve Triangles Port of Leith Distillery Three Marys Ocean’s Mist Heron The Kitchin Martin Wishart Roseleaf Malt & Hops Tapa Kvasa Bakery

Amaro, agave, fernet, and shenanigans. Kevin and Carlos welcome Alex Palumbo and Rachel Bailey Palumbo, the dynamic duo behind two of our favorite Edinburgh watering holes - Hey Palu and Chancho - to the show and, as you’ll hear, a great time was had. Alex and Rachel give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to open up a bar (during a pandemic no less) and the grit that's required to adapt and to grow a hospitality business against many a headwind. The only way this episode could have been more fun to record would've been to actually been drinking martinis and margaritas while recording it!    Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram here.  Connect with this episode’s guest(s) on Instagram: Hey Palu Chancho Next Door by Hey Palu Alex Palumbo Rachel Bailey Palumbo General links from the episode: Hey Palu’s Website Chancho’s Website Next Door by Hey Palu’s Website Friday Finally Newsletter on Substack Hey Palu’s Neo Soul Spotify Playlist  Fernet on Wikipedia Amaro on Wikipedia Agave on Wikipedia Restaurants and bars mentioned in the episode: Razzo Pizza Napoletana Gleneagles Bramble Bar Panda & Sons The Last Word Ardfern  The Palmerston Chorrito Zero Zero Wines Hawksmoor

The vibe - and the food - at Sabzi is undeniable. A truly family run, multi-award winning, North Indian restaurant, Sabzi is among Edinburgh's most memorable, unique, and delicious establishments. Stevie Singh, a member of the Singh family who own and operate Sabzi, drops by the podcast to delight Kevin and Carlos with family stories and mouth watering descriptions of Sabzi's fare. This conversation was pure food-loving joy.  Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat/⁠ General Links⁠:⁠ ⁠https://www.sabzistreetfood.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/sabzi.streetfood/⁠ Restaurants Mentioned in the Episode ⁠https://www.thepalmerstonedinburgh.co.uk/⁠ ⁠https://www.chorritosauce.com/

If it's a day of the week, odds are that you'll find Carlos stuffing his face at The Palmerston. An Edinburgh institution (despite not even being five years old) and a "not to be missed" pit stop for anyone visiting the city, The Palmerston is among Scotland's best restaurants. James Snowdon and Lloyd Morse, the pair behind The Palmerston, chat with Kevin and Carlos about their meet cute, their guiding philosophy towards food, and Taylor Swift's best albums.  Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat General Links The Palmerston https://www.instagram.com/the_palmerston https://www.instagram.com/lgvmorse https://www.instagram.com/jamesasnowdon The Palmerston and Newbarns to open pub in Edinburgh - DRAM Scotland Restaurants Mentioned on the Episode The Harwood Arms Primeur TIMBERYARD noma FIN & GRAPE Sabzi LOWDOWN COFFEE | Specialty Coffee | Edinburgh SOTTO Lannan | Bakery & Pantry in Stockbridge, Edinburgh Norah Newhaven Stockbridge Eating House Anchor Home Page eòrna restaurant Mosque Kitchen Edinburgh - Authentic Indian & Middle Eastern Cuisin l'escargot bleu Homepage - Kitchen Table London Jolene | Bakeries & Restaurants in London Some Other Links https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0749263/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/06HL4z0CvFAxyc27GXpf02?si=mS44EF3VQzagxmlfPbrFTA https://open.spotify.com/artist/2d0hyoQ5ynDBnkvAbJKORj?si=FQvCVq_wS5Ky1O_9DS29tQ

Episode 4 is all about that schiacciata, thinly sliced fixings, and hot honey! Kevin and Carlos geek out with Andy Mitchell and Chris Thompson, the dynamic duo behind Mootz General Store in Stockbridge. Mootz produces some of the most unforgettable and mouth watering sandwiches not just in Edinburgh but in the UK. As one random reviewer noted on TripAdvisor after tasting their first Mootz creation: this is “the best sandwich I had in my life (and I’m 61).”  Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat Follow Mootz on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mootzgeneralstore

Among Edinburgh’s, and Scotland’s, most beloved chefs, Roberta Hall-McCarron sits down with Kevin and Carlos to talk about her chef origin story, how she splits her time across three - equally beautiful and must visit - restaurants (The Little Chartroom, Eleanore & Ardfern), and even her fast food order (true to form, it includes Irn-Bru). This was a true joy of a conversation - you can tell how much fun we had recording this chat by all the laughter - as well as an insightful look at what it takes to set up, run, and manage several restaurants.  Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat Roberta's Links: https://www.instagram.com/chef_roberta_hall https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-changing-tides/roberta-hall-mccarron/9781739174033 https://www.thelittlechartroom.com https://www.instagram.com/thelittlechartroom https://www.eleanore.uk https://www.instagram.com/eleanore_leithwalk https://ardfern.uk https://www.instagram.com/ardfern_edinburgh Links to the people, places, and restaurants mentioned by Roberta: Restaurants Near Me: Nearby McDonald’s Locations | McDonald’s https://www.meatopia.co.uk/glasgow/home-glasgow https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/burj-al-arab-jumeirah https://www.instagram.com/tom_kitchin The Kitchin - our Michelin-starred restaurant in Leith, Edinburgh https://www.instagram.com/shaunmccarron1 https://www.instagram.com/mcneill.hamish https://www.dishoom.com/edinburgh/ https://thehawksmoor.com/locations/edinburgh https://www.mirin.uk https://www.littlecapo.com

The man, the legend, Colin Hinds, whisky guru and proprietor of the Tipsy Midgie - which has been named Scotland’s best whisky bar in 2023, 2024, and 2025 - talks to Kevin and Carlos about his life, his career, and his connection and approach to ‘the water of life.’ Visit www.tipsymidgie.com to learn about the bar and to book yourself in for one of their many whisky tastings and experiences (which are not to be missed).  Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat General Tipsy Midgie Links: Tipsy Midgie - The BEST Whisky Bar in Scotland for Whisky Tastings. https://www.instagram.com/tipsymidgie https://www.instagram.com/whiskyforager Tipsy Midgie Whisky Bar - Forever Edinburgh Licensee Interview: Colin Hinds, Tipsy Midgie - DRAM Scotland The Distilleries and Bars mentioned by Colin: https://www.malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/cardhu https://www.auchentoshan.com/distillery-tours/experiences https://smws.com/whisky-club-membership Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky Experience Edinburgh | Princes Street | Johnnie Walker UK

In this first episode of Eating and Waiting to Eat, Kevin and Carlos sit down with Elizabeth Elliott and Sharif Gergis, the duo behind Mirin, the Asian-inspired bistro on Leith Walk that The Times described as “the most exciting, unique Asian-influenced restaurant in Edinburgh.” It’s a lively chat that details Elizabeth and Sharif’s origin story and Mirin’s evolution from ramen shop to the award winning institution it is today. Visit www.mirin.uk to learn more and make your bookings. Follow Eating and Waiting to Eat on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/eatingandwaitingtoeat General Mirin links:  HOME | Mirin | Asian fusion small plates, dumplings, noodles, Leith, Edinburgh https://www.instagram.com/mirinleith https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/mirin-restaurant-review-edinburghs-most-exciting-asian-restaurant-2dk2w2g0l Sharif’s local Chinese takeaway in Glen Rothes: https://www.just-eat.co.uk/restaurants-mayflower-glenrothes/menu Omar’s Komugi Noodles (a Mirin supplier): https://www.instagram.com/komuginoodles https://www.instagram.com/yaoyao_noodles Alternative Meats (a Mirin supplier): https://alternativemeats.co.uk Elizabeth and Sharif’s Edinburgh Restaurant Recommendations: https://www.finandgrape.com https://ardfern.uk https://www.eleanore.uk https://stockbridgeeatinghouse.co.uk https://www.barryfish.co.uk https://albysleith.co.uk