aking its name from
the Roman goddess
of hearth, home and
family, Vesta Bar and Kitchen
is a restaurant that not only
provides a fantastic selection
of food and drinks, but also
an opportunity to make a
difference.
Indeed, working alongside
the charity Social Bite,
Vesta works to alleviate the
difficulties of homelessness in
Edinburgh.
Closing to the public every
Monday between three and
five o’clock, the restaurant
opens its doors to people
experiencing homelessness,
offering them a chance to
dine out and enjoy a cost-free
meal in a comfortable and
welcoming restaurant setting.
Vesta’s founder and owner,
David Hall, spoke to SCRUM
about the initiative. “About
30 or 40 people struggling
with homelessness come in
every week accompanied by
social workers and volunteers
who sit and chat with them,”
explained David.
“These people don’t get the
chance to dine out like you
or me, so it just gives them
something to look forward
to every week. They get
the same set lunch menu as
paying customers would get
and they’re waited on by our
staff so it’s the exact same
experience.”
One of the ways the restaurant
funds this social-help initiative
is by running a ‘Pay It Forward’
scheme, where customers can
donate the cost of a coffee,
lunch or dinner throughout
the week in preparation for
Monday afternoons, as well
as making donations to the
charity, Social Bite, itself.
Commenting on the scheme,
David said: “We try to
encourage everyone [to
donate], but it’s pretty popular.
“Even today we had a group
of Americans come in and
they left a significant donation
because they could see it allhappening. We generate quite
a substantial sum for both
the Monday service and the
charity every day and every
month.”
What’s more, Vesta also
run employment workshops
and opportunities for those
struggling to find work, and
the restaurant regularly hosts
a guest chef in order to raise
further funds for Social Bite.
This has been put on hold
during the Festival Fringe but
so far, Vesta has welcomed
award winning chefs, Craig
Wood and Martin Wishart to
their kitchen, and later this
year, Neil Forbes will make an
appearance at the West End-based restaurant.
Currently the restaurant is
bustling with festival-goers,
and on the world famous
arts festival, David said: “The
festival just seems to be
growing and growing, some
people think it’s getting a bit
too big but it’s a good boost
for all businesses in the city.
“It’s something we definitely
look forward to because the
busier the better!”For more information:
0131 220 0773,
[email protected]
or
http://www.vestaedinburgh.co.ukT
VESTA BAR & KITCHEN: A RESTAURANT
WITH A MISSION FOR CHANGE
VESTA B AR & K I TC HEN
Settle in for good food, craft beer, cocktails & m ore
7 - 8 Que e ns f e rry St , Edi nburgh, EH2 4 PA | 0 1 3 1 2 2 0 0 7 7 3 | w w w. v e s t ae di nburgh. c o. uk88 • WWW.SCRUMMAGAZINE.COM • ISSUE 116 2019
RUGBY WORLD CUP - SCOTLAND PREVIEW