Martin Wishart surprised the west end restaurant with an unannounced visit recently and enjoyed the food and atmosphere as much as its charity values
Home, Edinburgh’s new socially conscious restaurant that promises to feed the capital city’s homeless population as well the general public, will be a success - according to one of the world’s top chefs.
Martin Wishart, who was awarded his first Michelin star in 2001 for his self-titled restaurant, told TFN he surprised the new restaurant – which opened on Queensferry Street in September – with an unannounced visit recently and enjoyed the food and loved the atmosphere.
“We had a lovely lunch,” Wishart said of his family’s visit.
“I really loved the setting, it looks inviting from the outside and the name is fabulous.
“The charity cause is a good one but the success for this restaurant – as is the same for any restaurant – will depend on the quality of what it is offering and the consistency of it.
I really loved the setting, it looks inviting from the outside and the name is fabulous.
Martin Wishart
“The customers that are coming in still want the experience of quality in flavours, good service, and a nice atmosphere all at a reasonable price.
“The food was good, I think the prices are in the right area and the ambience is fantastic.”
Home isn't a normal restaurant - hence the reason it is appearing in TFN. It opened in Edinburgh to a fanfare of praise thanks to its promise to feed members of the homeless community once a week, while also contributing its profits to charity.
Diners are encouraged to ‘pay it forward’ and leave a donation to contribute to feeding a homeless person as special dining sessions held every Monday between 3pm and 5pm.
Since opening its doors it has been a hit with diners impressed by an eclectic mix of Scottish and French-inspired cuisine.
The restaurant is staffed, run and designed by the team behind popular Edinburgh restaurant Maison Bleue, including renowned father and daughter restaurateurs Dean and Layla Gassabi. For this venture, they are working in partnership with Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of the Social Bite sandwich chain, a social enterprise which supports homeless people.
Last week it hit the headlines worldwide when Oscar winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio dropped in for a spot of lunch before speaking at the Scottish Business Awards, which were held in the city.
Unlike DiCaprio, Wishart wasn't just a VIP diner - he is also involved behind the scenes.
He is on the restaurant’s board, helped create the menu, and is offering to put some of its staff – many of whom have experience of homelessness – through his own training school.
The first chef in Edinburgh to get a Michelin star says he plans to show them different techniques and improve their training as well as inviting them in to his kitchen as an observer.
“The whole point is to help encourage people and give them some belief back,” he said.
“I think the kitchen is a great area for that, there are a lot of opportunities not only just in the kitchen but in hotels and catering in general. If we can enthuse them into that as a career then I want to be part of that.
“One of the great things about my job is working with young chefs, training them and seeing them develop within themselves and their careers. I don’t see why we can’t – perhaps with a slightly different approach – help a homeless person who has maybe been in a job and just slipped into that horrible situation where they are a bit lost.
“What I am really looking forward to is working with some of these guys that really just want to turn the corner or just want somebody to help them further with a bit of enthusiasm and belief.
Diners - (back left) James Sutherland, (front left) Daryn Sabiston, (back right) Michelle Dounie and (front right) Sean MacInnes
“I’ve worked in the industry for a very long time and in many different kitchens, I think chefs can quite often slip down into that sort of background very quickly. Its long hours it’s stressful so you are never too far from slipping away.”
Wishart will also hold guest chef evenings in the restaurant when his schedule allows. He wasn’t present for the first ever dining session for homeless people at the restaurant on 17 October but Layla Gassabi was.
“Our first sitting for homeless guests was a fantastic success,” she said.
“We were determined to make sure everyone really enjoyed the experience and that our guests received the same quality of service and delicious home-cooked meals as all our customers do.
Diners George Watson, Stewart Rosie and Gary Baker with Layla Gassabi
“The feedback has been fantastic. Everybody really enjoyed it and we are excited to now begin this initiative on a weekly basis.”
Diners who had registered for a place at one of the city’s Social Bite cafés were selected to attend by homeless charity Crisis, The Big Issue and Social Bite, where homeless diners had requested a place.
On the menu was a choice of venison haunch casserole with mouselline cheesy mash or a wild mushroom penne pasta dish, followed by apple and red berry crumble with vanilla ice cream.
Diner Michelle Dounie said: “The staff were great and the food was amazing – I would easily give it five stars. We were even given food to take away as well, which was just superb.
Diners Natalie Calvin, George Whyte, Andrew McCarle and Natalie Mullen
“The atmosphere was perfect too, really calm. You would never think that you were sitting with homeless people having a meal. I was with my partner and it just felt like my partner had taken me out for a lovely dinner.”
Sittings for homeless guests will run weekly on a Monday from 3-5pm and will see 50 guests always enjoy a choice of two freshly cooked courses and dessert.
Littlejohn added: "We want the Monday meal services to be an opportunity for the homeless community to eat with dignity - not to offer a handout but a hand up - to employment, stability and self-worth.
"It's a natural evolution of what we've been doing at Social Bite and it's fantastic to see people are getting on board and supporting us in the same way."
Home will be giving 100% of its profits to charity – 50% directly to Social Bite and 50% to other good causes chosen by staff.
Other backers include David Wither of the Montpelier Group, and restaurateur Simon Littlejohn.
For more information and to book, visit home-restaurant.co.uk
There’s no place like Home
Wednesdays are the new Fridays, aren’t they? Or is it Tuesdays? Anyway, that’s beside the point. On a recent Wednesday night, my good lady decided to take ourselves out in Edinburgh and, after an aperitivo or two, found we had food on our minds.
Despite my woeful grasp of Edinburgh geography, I knew we were in the vicinity of the West End and we soon wondered on to Queensferry Street, which is peppered with bars and restaurants. Having had the tedious “but what do you actually fancy to eat?”conversation, we found ourselves drawn in by the dazzling frontage of what transpired to be Home, the city’s newest eatery.
We were greeted warmly by the manager who pointed us in the direction of a cosy corner of the restaurant by the window. From my vantage point, I could see the restaurant was beautifully fitted out with piles of pine logs, bright lighting, leather seats and a fireplace. It would be easy to take from that description that the restaurant is olde worlde, but that would be misleading. The interior is extremely fresh, modern and refined.
Having ordered an agreeable bottle of Cotes de Gascogne (approx. £17), we set to reading the menu and quickly realised we were in the new spin off restaurant from the team at Social Bite. In partnership with the well-established and popular Maison Bleuebistro on Victoria Street, Home sticks true to the French bistro style of cooking, with the odd twist thrown in to some of the dishes.
As it was relatively late, we opted for a main course only. My partner was hooked by the catch of the day (approx. £15), which comprised of a fillet of sea bream on a bed of black olive and potato mash. Managing to snaffle a forkful, I can testify that the fish was cooked perfectly, with a blistered crispy skin and firm, moist flesh. The salty olive mash complimented perfectly and I wouldn’t be surprised if this became a regular special.
I chose the South Vietnamese coconut chicken (approx. £15), a creamy curry with strong hints of lemongrass and a pleasant punch of chilli heat. Angel hair noodles provided the carb boost and a small plate of coriander rice was also provided – although it was largely unnecessary. The dish was creamier than your average Asian cuisine and certainly felt like a French take on Vietnamese food. Despite the howls from my arteries, it was an incredibly wise choice.
The menu was varied and offered other delights such as braised cheek of beef and posh mac and cheese – complete with black truffle shavings. There was also a set lunch menu and smaller bites which could be enjoyed in a tapas style.
Our waitress was an incredibly friendly young woman from Naples who worked more regularly in Maison Bleue (that night the head chef and owner of Maison Bleue was in the kitchen). Her passion for the ethos behind Home and explanation of the pay it forward system was powerful and we were more than happy to add another fiver or so to our bill to pay forward for a homeless person’s lunch.
For the food and atmosphere alone, I’d certainly return to Home. With such an incredible social mission attached, it might prove hard to stay away.
Craig Wilson is SCVO's parliamentary public affairs officer.
