Bonnie & Wild is bringing together the best of Scottish this August as the Edinburgh food hall unveils a range of events, launches and activations, including its official Fringe ceilidh dance, a new açai superfood kitchen, and a pop-up cider bar for the month.
Launching this Friday, the Açai bowl kitchen Bowl Out at Bonnie & Wild will offer a range of healthy and superfood açai berry bowls, making it the 14th food offer in the popular Scottish Marketplace, alongside the likes of Gary Maclean’s Creel Caught and El Perro Negro, twice winner of the UK’s best burger.
The new “Bowl Out” kitchen will expand the venue’s breakfast, lunchtime, dessert and takeaway offer, with servings of healthy dishes including açaí berry sorbet bowls, and overnight oats layered with granola, honey, fruits and coconut.
The new kitchen comes as the renowned Scottish cider-maker Thistly Cross prepares for a month-long residency that will see the bar slinging cider-infused cocktails while chefs from across the popular food hall create cider-inspired specials from Bonnie & Wild’s kitchens.
The Scottish Marketplace is also hosting a special Fringe Ceilidh on August 14th that promises to attract hundreds of dancers to its free White Heather Club event as it celebrates the third year of the popular dances.
The acclaimed food hall in the heart of Edinburgh is renowned for championing Scottish products and producers, and with tens of thousands of visitors in Edinburgh each day for the festivals, it’s ensuring something special for guests every day.
From tomorrow (Thursday July 31), Bonnie & Wild is giving over one of its bars to Lothian cider-maker Thistly Cross who will be showcasing their range of artisanal ciders, while also preparing to launch their first new cider in recent years. Complementing Bonnie & Wild’s existing cocktail menu, the Thistly Cross Cider Bar will be slinging cider-inspired cocktails such as a Thistly Spiritz, Thistly Collins and even a Dark & Thistly.
Not to be outdone, chefs from across Bonnie & Wild are offering apple and cider-inspired menu specials, including Gary Maclean’s Creel Caught, Sri Lankan street food kitchen Kochchi, El Perro Negro, Chooks, Illy Caffe and Joelato.
Thistly Cross’s founder Peter Stuart said: “Bonnie & Wild is all about great food and drink with a bit of flair, which makes it the perfect spot for a Thistly takeover. We’re so excited to bring our full cider line-up, some cracking cocktails, and a brand new cider we are dying to share.”
On Thursday August 14, the legendary White Heather Club brings its ceilidh dances back to Bonnie & Wild for a free Fringe ceilidh that will see hundreds of dancers Stripping the Willow and taking part in popular dances such as the Dashing White Sergeant and the Gay Gordons.
The White Heather Club dances, which take place on the last Thursday of every month, have attracted some 15,000 dancers since they launched at the Edinburgh Food Hall in August 2022, and will be celebrating their third birthday at their official Fringe ceilidh, with some special guests also expected to show.
Adding to its August line-up, Bonnie & Wild is also hosting a series of intimate Scottish craft whisky and rum tastings in its private Tryst bar, with East Neuk Spirits taking guests though their range of Dorchadas rums on Thursday, August 14, and Edinburgh bottler Fragrant Drops showcasing their craft whiskies on Sunday August 24.
With both bottlers renowned for their craft spirits, the exclusive tastings are great opportunities for whisky and rum lovers, and complement the regular Meet the Maker events that take place every weekend at the Rarity bottle shop.
Bonnie & Wild’s General Manager Kate Russell added: “At its very core, Bonnie & Wild is about championing the amazing Scottish food and drink that our country is rightly renowned for.
“With our latest offering Bowl Out showcasing healthy Scottish produce, alongside our pop-up Thistly Cross cider bar, Fringe ceilidh, tasting events, chef specials and a couple of surprises throughout August, Bonnie & Wild is proudly celebrating the best of Scotland at a time when Edinburgh is alive with international and national visitors, city residents and families, festival-goers and holiday-makers, all hungry for great food and drink and first-class service in a welcoming and vibrant venue.”
