A MICHELIN-STARRED Scottish chef has announced the closure of his first restaurant.
Stuart Ralston, who was recognised with the top cooking accolade for his Lyla eatery in Edinburgh earlier this year, said he will be shutting down Aizle, the first restaurant he ever opened.
Aizle is a “blind tasting menu restaurant”, with customers shown a menu of ingredients without being told how they will be combined into five to seven courses.
Originally based on Edinburgh's St Leonard’s Street, Aizle currently operates out of the Garden Room at the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel.
Ralston also runs two other restaurants, Noto and Tipo, both of which are also in the Scottish capital.
Announcing the closure of Aizle, he said: “When I first opened the doors on St Leonard’s Street in 2014 as a young chef, Aizle was born out of a desire to build something different, challenge me as a young chef and provide a place people would choose to work.
“I wanted to work with producers who really care about what they grow and make people happy with our food. Over the past 11 years, we have moved homes, met brilliant people along the way and grown into something to be proud of. We achieved what we set out to do.
“The decision hasn’t come easily, but the time feels right to close Aizle, and for me to put even more focus on Lyla, Noto and Tipo, as well as our next project.
“I want to give a huge thank you to the incredible, dedicated team, past and present, the wonderful farmers, fishermen, winemakers and all the people in between. I look forward to continuing to work with you.”
Ralston said Aizle will be closing for good on September 21.
