The two chefs behind Edinburgh’s popular at-home fine dining pop-up Bad Seeds, Tomás Gormley and Sam Yorke are to open their first restaurant, Heron, on The Shore in Leith on 14 July. The two chefs, who have worked in some of Scotland’s top kitchens, including Restaurant Andrew Fairlie and The Lookout by Gardeners Cottage will open their fine dining venture at 87-91 Henderson Street, in the space once occupied by The Raj restaurant this July.
With views of Edinburgh’s picturesque Water of Leith, Heron will be in good company, situated a stone’s throw away from Michelin starred Restaurant Martin Wishart. With two head chefs at the helm, Heron will offer farm to table fine dining with an a-la-carte menu that will change every few weeks, showcasing the best of Scotland’s seasonal produce including organic fruit & vegetables, wild fish & seafood, game & heritage breed meat.
The restaurant space, and kitchens have been completely refurbished to create a light-filled, contemporary space that retains the original high ceilings, cornicing and floor to ceiling windows which overlook the Water of Leith. The plant-filled dining room will also feature a lounge area for pre-dinner drinks, which can also be enjoyed al fresco in good weather, as well as a central bar.
The a la carte menu will feature a choice of snacks, starters, mains and desserts and will be available for lunch Friday – Saturday and dinner Wednesday – Sunday. A set lunch menu will also be available at weekends with three-courses for £29.
Sample dishes from the first menu include:
Snacks: Oyster, wasabi, ponzu / Brioche, parfait, grape
Starters: Crab claw, tomato, gazpacho, strawberry / Veal sweetbreads, celeriac, girolles and sorrel
Mains: Duck, honey, lavender, mustard leaf / Cod, potato, cod roe, courgette, preserved lemon
Dessert: Dark chocolate, fudge and raspberry / Preserved peaches, yogurt, almond
The modern Scottish menu will draw inspiration from the pair’s classical training, using simple seasoning to highlight the quality of the ingredients. Local suppliers will include Griersons Organics, Phantassie Organic Farm and The Free Company. The pair have also commissioned local ceramicist Borja Moranta to design their tableware which will complement a relaxed and comfortable interior.
As head chef at The Lookout by the Gardener’s Cottage Tomás was one of six UK chefs named ‘one to watch’ at The Staff Canteen Awards 2020. Originally from Ireland, Tomás grew up in Leith and has spent six years working in Scotland’s most prestigious restaurants, including two-star Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, 21212 and Le Roi Fou. In January 2021, the pair launched Bad Seeds, a pop-up dining at home service which sold-out each week and garnered glowing reviews from restaurant critics.
Joining the team as general manager, Glen Montgomery was previously head sommelier at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie and Number One and was general manager at Isle of Eriska the year they gained their Michelin Star.
Behind the bar will be manager, Seoridh Fraser who has over 18 years’ hospitality experience across Edinburgh and the Antipodes, including The Witchery, Number One and Sydney’s The Bentley Group. Heron will be pouring Charles Heidsieck NV Brut Reserve as their house Champagne; widely considered the best non-vintage Champagne Charles Heidsieck is synonymous with excellence and, much like the restaurant, puts quality first. Within the drinks range will be a small, but well-curated selection of craft beers from notable producers including The Kernel, Mikkeller, Brouwerij Boon and Edinburgh’s redoubtable Pilot Brewery augmented by Ayinger’s Kellerbier on draught for the restaurant’s opening. Heron will also be offering a choice of bespoke cocktails and perfect serves, offering innovative and playful alternatives to well know cocktail classics.
Joining Glen and Seoridh front of house is Sara Mele who worked with them both at The Witchery by the castle. She also spent time at the city’s Café St Honoré with chef Neil Forbes and learnt about vermouth in Banksii in Sydney!
Booking lines now open, with phone and website reservations available
0131 554 1242
Instagram: @heron.scot
Heron, 87-91 Henderson St, The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6ED