ISHKA

As Christmas gets closer, our thoughts have been turning to fab pressies for our bessies.

We’ve heard said that peace on earth and goodwill to all men is the greatest gift of all.

Fair enough. However, it is proving rather tricky to pull off and, even if we do manage, wrapping it won’t be easy.

In the meantime, we recommend the other greatest gift of all: cocktails.

More specifically, cocktails and bar snacks from ISHKA.
Launched earlier this year, ISHKA is a sleek new cocktail bar and restaurant opposite Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

It is a light, airy space with an eye-catching silvery ceiling.

Large windows give good views of the street life while the cocktail staff behind the marble bar add an extra element of theatre.

Give it a spin with today’s Big Deal. Valid from early January to the end of March 2018, this offer would make a stylish Christmas gift for the more fashionable gal or guy about town.

Two cocktails

The offer is for two people to each have two cocktails from the ISHKA Originals section of the drinks menu plus a dish each from the bar snack menu.

Additional guests can be added at £13 a head.

This offer is available from noon to 4.30pm and then from 5pm to 10.30pm, seven days a week.

Real cocktails

The ISHKA Originals selection is packed with tried and tested cocktails such as the Red Square Royal (Stolichnaya Vanilla vodka, cardamom, crème de cacao, pear, fresh lemon & Moët) and the Edina Mule (Daffy’s Gin, bergamot liqueur, lime oleo-saccharum and ginger beer).

We also like the look of the Secret Manuscript, made with Holy Grass vodka, St Germain elderflower liqueur, yellow Chartreuse, fresh lemon, strawberry balsamic, sumac and egg white.

Great bar snacks

ISHKA’s bar snacks range from simple options such as the Spanish Gordal olives to fashionable plates of cured salmon poke with avocado, lime, chilli and cashew.

We would go for the steak sliders but could see the appeal in the monkfish cheek scampi or the sweet potato fries with togarashi mayonnaise.

Happy guests

As we mentioned, ISHKA only opened in May but is already winning a loyal clientele. It’s 5pm Dining page has a whopping combined rating of 4.7/5. These excerpts from longer reviews show what recent customers thought:

‘What a find! It was a great place, fab cocktails, fab food, great friendly staff, great 5pm deal. Would definitely go back!’ Rating 5/5

‘From the welcome on arrival to the delicious choices, they make you feel valued customers. The menu had changed from our last visit but each dish was imaginative and perfectly cooked. The cocktails are exquisite and we were spoiled for choice. Already planning a return visit…’ Rating 4.75/5

‘This restaurant ticked all the boxes. Great atmosphere, cocktail to start, food, wine, coffee and service. Can’t wait to go back.’ Rating 5/5

Christmas gift idea

If you haven’t been before, this Big Deal would make a fantastic introduction to the delights of ISHKA.

It would also be ideal for after work drinks, a night cap or a pre-theatre snack – the Lyceum, Trav and Usher Hall are a short walk.

This offer would also make a very cool Christmas present for anyone who likes to explore the latest hotspots in the capital’s vibrant cocktail scene.