Scott Smith to create ‘modern business' in new site

Scott Smith is opening a new restaurant with his wife Laura after leaving Norn in Edinburgh last month due to a split with his former business partner.

 

Fhior, which is Gaelic for ‘true' or ‘honest', will open in Edinburgh's Broughton Street in late May/early June.

 

Acorn Award winner Smith told The Caterer: "We're putting everything we have left into it.

 

“It will be a hub where people can pop in â€" we want it to be really fluid, open and relaxed in the front area. Norn was very dark and warm, but we’re going for very light and fresh-looking."

 

The space will be split into a bar with 12 covers in the front, and a 32-cover dining room in the back, which will serve dinner four days a week and lunch two days a week.

 

The restaurant will have a similar tasting menu to Norn, focusing on Scottish produce.

 

“We will be taking a lot of the suppliers with us, but we’ve also got some really exciting new partnerships,” he said.

 

It is also planned that Fhoir will sell coffee and pastries in the morning, as well as jars of pickles and homemade bread, and host guest chef events once a month.

 

“The service is going to be relaxed and informal but very informed. We’re focusing on the staff having impeccable knowledge of what they’re selling. We’ll still have the chefs take the dishes to the table, but that will be pared back a little bit,” Smith added.

 

Smith formerly worked under Geoffrey Smeddle at the Michelin-starred Peat Inn in Fife and was awarded one of The Caterer’s Acorn Awards last year. He opened Norn in Leith in May 2016 with his wife. Some members of staff have joined the Fhior team from Norn.

 

Norn shut following Smith’s departure and is believed to be relaunching as a new concept.

 

Scott Smith leaves Norn but plans to open new restaurant >>

 

Acorn winners 2017: Scott Smith >>

 

Menuwatch: Norn, Edinburgh >>

 

Get The Caterer every week on your smartphone, tablet, or even in good old-fashioned hard copy (or all three!).