John Gibson: Andaluz gets its belated opening bash

Published on Friday 31 October 2008 09:02

YOU couldn't lose at the Cafe Andaluz. Authentic flamenco dancing and guitar. Paella galore. George Street was crying out for a class Spanish restaurant. This one, that cost more to create than it did Madrid itself, opened in July.

But the "official opening" was delayed until Wednesday night when co-owners Mario Gizzi and Tony Conetta summoned a select band of Edinburgh worthies to sample their wares.

No complaints. Loads of lavish praise. Spanish nosh has never been to my taste but there can't be much wrong with an Andaluz-ian place when the head chef (George McCutcheon) and maitre 'd (Geoff Dickey) produce a bread and butter pudding to order for a punter who couldn't find this dessert in his phrase book.

The owners froth that business over four months has "hugely exceeded" expectations. The worthies who had a word in my ear included Kenny Waugh Jun (a late arrival, his Scotbet shops were taking so much money for the SNP to win the Glenrothes by-election), Lothian Buses chairman Pilmar Smith, the Jazz Festival's Fiona Alexander and Roger Spence, token Tory Jason Rust canvassing votes for his joust with Alistair Darling over Edinburgh South-West at the general election (should Darling last that long).

Architectural services guru Bob Tait (minus his adorable cocker spaniel Rosie), restaurateur Franco Martone, Wealth Management consultant Tom Hay, turf publicist Stephen Rafferty, Ovation Audio Visual owner James Foggo, Highways and Transportation chairman Phil Wheeler, Macdonald Licensing director Alistair Macdonald, ubiquitous City Father Steve Cardownie and Florida's state governor Tom Ponton.

If I've missed anybody out, it's intentional.

Crunch? Crumbs

No escaping the economic downturn, the crunch, if you like. Every which way it's got us by the whatsits. Even car sales people. A car manufacturer is running a newspaper ad inviting readers into its Edinburgh showroom for a chat and, wait for it, "a cup of tea and a jammie dodger". For free.

Does that not take the biscuit? "Yes, sir, it's a lovely little motor. Only 20 grand and if you sign here and there's another cuppa and dodger in it if we clinch the deal here and now."