A new charcuterie and bar, Clark & Lake, has opened in Tollcross, Edinburgh, offering the best in meats, cheese, wine and beer from across Europe.  Founded by Andrew Thompson after years of researching, planning and sampling eateries around the world, the bar and restaurant is his long term dream to bring a European approach to dining in Edinburgh.

With a menu including a choice of sharing platters with meats and cheeses from Spain, France, Italy as well as across the UK, the relaxed and informal setting will be a welcome addition to what is becoming a vibrant scene around Tollcross and Bruntsfield.

Customers at Clark & Lake can either choose from a Spanish, Italian or British board of meats and cheeses served with breads, crackers, oat cakes and chutney or pick their own selection of their choosing from the extensive range on offer. The cheese selection includes Baron Bigood Brie (England), Valdeon (Spain), Ossau Iraty (France) and Gorgonzola (Italy) with the meats including Monroyo Serrano Ham, Carne Salata, Cornish Chorizo and Coppa Trentina amongst others. Local suppliers IJ Mellis provide the cheese and the meats are sourced from three different producers based in Borough Market and Bermondsey, London – Brindisa (Spanish), the Ham and Cheese Company (Italian) and Cannon and Cannon (British).

In addition to the platters, there is a choice of delicious small plates which will change on a monthly  basis and currently include cauliflower frittelle, zucchini fries, a classic pork scotch egg and raclette cheese over potatoes made with a  raclette machine specially imported from Switzerland.

All of the dishes are accompanied by an extensive wine list with each one available in 125ml, 175ml glasses as well as 500ml carafes or by the bottle. These include an Albarino Lagar de Bouza from Galicia in Spain, a Cava de Ribeauville Riesling from Alsace, France, a Domaine Berrod Fleurie from Beaujolais and Santa Marena Espinos y Cardos Pinot Noir from Chile.

Those more tempted by beers will find an extensive selection of bottled beers available including Beavertown Gamma Ray, Neck Oil and Smog Rocket, Brooklyn Lager and Camden Gentlemen’s Wit and in a nod to the owner’s time spent living in Barcelona, Clark & Lake is the only Scottish bar to have Moritz Lager on tap.

Talking about the opening, owner Andrew Thompson said:

“Clark & Lake has been a labour of love over the last few years, planning everything from the decor to the wine list so it’s great to see it finally open. We’ve had a fantastic opening week with customers really enjoying picking their own sharing platters of meats and cheeses, sampling our small plates and of course, the wines and beers. Our local business neighbours have also been extremely supportive and we look forward to welcome them and others that pop in for a drink or snack or something more substantial.”

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