Stockbridge restaurant Merienda launches 'social distancing menu'

Stockbridge Michelin Bib winner Merienda has today launched a “Social Distancing” menu as the hospitality industry attempts to adapt following a drop in business after the Prime Minister advised people to stay indoors.

The restaurant is creating classic dishes, available for delivery around Edinburgh using owner Campbell Mickel’s catering company, Exec Chef Cuisine.

The menu is described as ‘for those practicing self-isolation but don’t quite want to give up on some of the finer things in life’.

The food provided will be the same quality as what could be ordered in a restaurant.

Campbell said: “Bookings at the restaurant stopped, the catering company’s bookings were down, there were massive cancellations. We still have the same overheads and people need to be paid, but to give people self-isolating a break from their dishes of pasta and toilet roll! I want them to look at this as a service.

“As well as being able to bring good food to people, this allows me to maintain a relationship with suppliers because when that shuts down, we’ll really have a problem.”

The menu on offer features a range of soups, vegetarian dishes such as thai green curry with exotic vegetables and aubergine parmigiana, fish dishes including smoked haddock, teriyaki salmon and roasted cod loin, meat dishes such as boeuf bourguignon, moussaka and chicken chasseur.

A selection of wines and desserts are also on offer, with a minimum order of £50.

Campbell said that discussions with suppliers were promising as they pushed to carry on producing quality products for the hospitality market.

“People can order a day in advance and get super fresh, pristine food delivered to their door. It will have reheating instructions and payments will be made online.

“Everyone is trying to be as accommodating as possible, regulars who have cancelled are buying gift vouchers which gives us a little bit of hope in these troubling times.”