The Radford family, owners of Timberyard, one of Scotland’s top independent fine dining restaurants, have opened a new restaurant on Montrose Terrace in Edinburgh’s Abbeyhill with goal of building a lasting dining legacy with the support of head chefs James Murray and Moray Lamb.
The family has owned and run Timberyard since 2012, and in 2023 it received its first Michelin star. Less than a year later, the team have opened “Montrose,” a new wine bar and restaurant bar designed to “reinforce its reputation at the forefront of both Scottish and British dining.”
Currently spanning two levels, Montrose provides a cozy wine bar on the ground floor and a small dining area on the first floor, with seven tables serving up to 30 guests. The menus at the wine bar and restaurant feature seasonal and locally sourced produce, such as organic fruit and vegetables, rare breed cattle, wild game, and foraged ingredients.
Following Timberyard’s lead, Montrose’s wine list will highlight small producers who care for the land they cultivate and the grapes they harvest. Building on the success of the Timberyard cellar, Montrose will provide a 100% organic wine list that is free of capsules. A focus on bottles, magnums, bag-in-box and canned wine, it is, they say, the first of its kind and sets the benchmark for sustainability in the industry. House-made soft drinks and cocktails alongside organic beer and spirits will also be served as part of an unusual drinks menu. The beverage programme at Timberyard and Montrose is being managed by Anna Sebelova.
Jo Radford said, “With a first Michelin star under our belts at Timberyard and the launch of our new restaurant and wine bar at Montrose, 2024 looks set to be a really exciting year for our entire team.
“Over the last 10 years, Timberyard has always aimed to be at the forefront of both Scottish and British dining. We are committed to evolving this lasting dining legacy at Montrose with the continued support of our talented chefs and wider team.”
Jo added, “The two floors at Montrose offer a very unique experience. A busy bustling wine bar on the ground floor and an intimate dining room on the first floor. The offering in the wine bar spans the breadth of what is offered in our favourite continental wine bars and trattorias. Classic European dishes sit perfectly alongside a glass or bottle of wine.
“The four-course set menu on the first-floor showcases the very best of the Scottish larder in a dining room filled with character, warmth and atmosphere.”
Head Chef at Montrose, Moray Lamb, said, “At Montrose, the ethos is simple. Source great, seasonal produce. Cook it well and season it perfectly.
“Downstairs at Montrose, the menu has been inspired by the great wine bars of the world. An exceptional wine list, supported by unfussy, delicious plates, many of which have European influence.
“Similarly, the first floor dining room with its set four-course menu isn’t restricted by world flavours. The main components of the dishes are locally sourced.
“Refined cooking, with clean plates of food, but still a bit fun and nothing too challenging for the guests.”
Picture credit: Abi Radford