Stuart Ralston to open new Edinburgh bars at former Fhior site

Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Stuart Ralston, alongside co-owner Jade Johnston, will open their newest ventures – Vinette and Vivien, in Edinburgh this October.

Vinette is a Parisian bar à vin serving sharing plates and bistro style dishes, while Vivien, named after poet Renée Vivien, is an intimate cocktail bar.

Situated on 36 Broughton Street, the former site of Fhior, Vinette’s menu will revolve around ingredient-led, seasonal cooking ingrained in European dining culture, while celebrating artisanal Scottish producers.

Designed to be paired with a constantly evolving by-the-glass selection, the food offering will be in line with Stuart’s elegant and flavour-forward style, but with more informal and playful undertones. 

The kitchen will be headed up by Stuart’s younger brother, Calum Ralston, who has trained with the group over the past 18 months. 

Dishes will include braised duck hearts on toast with pickled green peppercorns, grilled Iberico pork chop with cider-braised onions and mustard sauce and pigs head croquettes with smoked paprika.

Front of house will be led by Elle Mackay, the incoming general manager of Aizle, who will bring her extensive experience.

Group head sommelier Stuart Skea will be overseeing the wine offering, with an emphasis on wines from the Old World, as well as some special bottles from further afield. Sourced from small scale wineries, the bottles will offer a strong sense of terroir, with a constantly revolving by-the-glass selection allowing for exploration. 

The interiors will be led by Ross McNally of Scarinish studios, with the aim of creating a hospitable space with a soft and inviting atmosphere.

Located beneath, Vivien will be the late-night counterpart to Vinette.

The bar programme will be headed up by Rebekah George, a well-known figure within the Edinburgh bar scene.

Classic and signature drinks such as The Strawberry Thief and Violet Subterfuge will be available, alongside a selection of bar snacks, including potato mille-feuille beurre blanc and Ortiz anchovies with lemon butter. 

Coming immediately after the closure of his debut restaurant Aizle, the new openings will be an addition to Stuart’s portfolio of restaurants - now named as the Aizle Hospitality Group - which include Michelin-starred Lyla, and Michelin Bib Gourmand Noto and Tipo. 

“After closing Aizle, it felt important to mark a new chapter,” says Stuart.

“Vinette and Vivien are about creating spaces that feel warm, social, and a little indulgent. I’m especially proud that I’m opening them with people who’ve been on this journey with me - Jade, who has been integral for more than a decade, and my brothers Scott and Calum, who are stepping into leadership roles.

“This feels like the group’s natural next project, but with the same commitment to quality we’ve always had. I will be doubling down on my efforts with Lyla and hope to improve tenfold, but this allows people around us to continue to grow which is very important to me.”

Fhior, Edinburgh’s multi-award winning restaurant from chef patron Scott Smith, closed its doors in June of this year.

Open for seven years, the restaurant, co-owned by Scott and his wife Laura, won multiple awards and was listed in both the Good Food and Michelin Guides.