Paul Kitching's 21212 restaurant to open next month

Ex-Juniper chef Paul Kitching has set a date to open his Edinburgh restaurant with rooms 21212. 

The chef and owner, who relocated to the Scottish town from Greater Manchester earlier this year, will open the doors to the 38-cover restaurant on May 20 following two months` worth of restoration work to the building - a listed Georgian townhouse. 

Kitching and his team of eight chefs, including his sous chef at Juniper, Kate Johnston, will serve a menu with a French slant. A five course gourmet menu will give diners a choice of two starters, one main course and two dessert courses, to reflect the restaurant’s name.

He said: "In the past I have been called experimental but I would say that my dishes are intricate, feminine, interesting and vibrant in colour and they are delicately assembled with a build up of flavours. Each course is made up of a variety of components that could be represented in isolation but I think that new diners will find the food interesting and seasoned Juniper regulars will find our new venture a refreshing take on his original style and one that they will enjoy. 

"For us as well as the food – it’s always been about the whole dining experience so from the decor to the added extras in terms of to the service it’s about our style and attention to detail and we think that will shine through". 

Kitching said his decision to relocate to Edinburgh had come out of a need for a new challenge and to return to his partner, Katie O`Brien`s home town. Kitching, O`Brien and their business partners Joan Revie and Jackie Campbell, have invested £4.5m into the new project which also offers three bedrooms, a bar and private dining areas.