"We're truly excited to return to our hometown"

The Staff Canteen

Celebrity Chef Nick Nairn plans to relaunch his restaurant in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, as Nairn's next month, after a fire devastated the site in 2021.

Nairn's is set to open on 14 July at the former location of Nick's, which was severely damaged by a fire two years ago.

Nick and his wife Julia have refurbished the space in collaboration with Edinburgh-based interior designer Pat Renson.

The menus will primarily focus on utilising local produce, including herbs and vegetables grown in their own polytunnels, along with a selection of Scottish seafood, game, and grass-fed meats.

The daily-changing menus at Nairn's will feature a variety of snacks, small and large plates, as well as sharing dishes for lunch and dinner.

Some examples of the offerings include monkfish cheek scampi with tartare sauce, venison agnolotti with leek puree and game sauce, roasted cauliflower with harissa, yogurt, and dukkha crumb, and tandoori-spiced monkfish fillet with Indian mussel broth and Nick's garden greens.

Nick spoke about his unwavering love for hospitality as part of our live Grilled podcast, and said: "I'm sixty-bloody-four, I should be retired by now but I still absolutely love our industry."

 

Notable members of the team at Nairn's will include executive chef Stephen Crawford and general manager Robyn Stewart.

Nairn's will operate on a four-day working week, with a dedicated staff member hired to develop and prepare meals for the team.

The Nairns expressed their excitement about returning to Bridge of Allan, stating, "It's been a long journey back to Bridge of Allan, and we're truly excited to return to our hometown. The fire at this site was truly devastating, but it has given us the opportunity to carefully consider what we wanted to create at this location."

The pair added: "Nairn's is a beautiful space, and we're delighted to use it as a platform to showcase the best local producers on this thriving independent high street. We can't wait to welcome everyone in July and once again be a part of this wonderful town."

Julia and Nick jointly manage the business, which not only includes the Bridge of Allan site but also encompasses the Nick Nairn Cook School and restaurant located on the shores of the nearby Lake of Menteith, Nick's at Port of Menteith, and the Kailyard by Nick Nairn restaurant at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Dunblane.

Across the group, the restaurants provide employment for approximately 50 to 60 individuals.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Nick Nairn (@chefnicknairn)

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The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 7th June 2023

"We're truly excited to return to our hometown"