Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux to open 11 June at the Balmoral hotel
The Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh is set to open Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux on 11 June.
As of this month, Alain Roux, chef-patron of the three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire, has also taken up the position of signature chef at the new brasserie and bar. Brasserie Price replaces Hadrian's brasserie and the Balmoral bar at the five-red-AA-star, 188-bedroom Rocco Forte hotel.
Alain Roux said: "This exciting new brasserie will be defined by a seasonally changing menu rooted in French bistro dishes. It will be a menu informed by my French heritage but totally inspired by Scotland."
The brasserie is also being launched in collaboration with Alain's father, chef and restaurateur Michel Roux.
The 210-cover restaurant and bar will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as light bites and sharing plates at the bar, and seafood from the raw bar.
The seasonal menu will include hearty dishes from Scottish côte de boeuf to plateaux de fruits de mer. The ‘Grand-Mère's Specials' daily menu will include boudin noir aux deux pommes, a rich dish of black pudding with caramelised apple and potato purée, and Côtelettes d'agneu, lamb cutlets with couscous, sorrel and mint sauce.
The adjoining bar and lounge area will offer classic cocktails and French snacks and sharing platters, also created by Alain Roux.
The restaurant space has undergone a complete redesign led by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, in collaboration with Olga Polizzi.
The new brasserie will feature a colour palette of soft blues, green hues and blush pink tones alongside high gloss lacquer and timber panelled walls, and materials synonymous with Scotland: timber, soft leather and wool.
Polizzi said: "I've worked with Martin many times and have always enjoyed it; I think our collaboration works well. Martin is really brilliant, particularly when it comes to bars and restaurants; he is the best in his field. He looks at every project individually and always comes up with something different and innovative."
"Michel and Alain Roux were my first choice when I thought of a new brasserie at the Balmoral," added Lydia Forte, Rocco Forte Hotels' bar and restaurant development manager.
"Michel was one of the first to revolutionise the UK dining scene at about the same time that my grandfather was making his strides in hospitality. Michel and Alain run a family business like us and as such we have the same ethos."
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