THE award-winning team behind Glasgow’s Ox and Finch have unveiled plans to launch their first Edinburgh restaurant venture, BABA.

The new restaurant aims to make its mark by bringing a boldly unconventional menu of Eastern Mediterranean mezze dining into the heart of the city.

The new standalone property at 130 George Street is positioned to plate up within The Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square hotel, as part of Principal’s £25 million investment and full rebrand of the landmark Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland.

BABA’s mezze, charcoal grill and cocktail bar is the result of a partnership between Ox and Finch’s Jonathan MacDonald and Daniel Spurr, with Katherine Arnold and Robbie Bargh from London-based Gorgeous Group.

BABA will feature a bespoke charcoal grill serving as the centrepiece of an open kitchen, where carefully-sourced Scottish lamb, beef and seafood are spiced and grilled – Levantine-style – over coals.

MacDonald said: “Eastern Mediterranean cuisine is extremely versatile and developing this menu with the team has been a journey for us all. We have spent a great deal of time testing unique combinations of food and cooking techniques to design a menu that we believe will bring an unforgettable culinary experience to both hotel guests and Edinburgh locals.

“We have been overwhelmed by the success of Ox and Finch in Glasgow, and are so excited about bringing a completely new offering and dining experience to the people of Edinburgh.”

To lead BABA’s kitchen brigade, MacDonald has appointed David Barnett as head chef. Glasgow-born David joins the team following a number of years heading The Torridon Restaurant, recipient of 3 AA rosettes.

BABA is set to open to the public on October 2, with soft opening discount tastings available in the fortnight running up to this date.

Principal’s COO, David Taylor, said: “It’s been an incredible journey for the Principal family since our brand launch in November 2016.

“The hotel market in Edinburgh market is thriving and we are looking forward to opening our second hotel in the city.

“We believe that The Principal on Charlotte Square has a distinctive point of view, and with BABA we believe we’re bringing something genuinely new to Edinburgh’s thriving restaurant and bar scene – it’s a restaurant that will appeal both to hotel guests and to Edinburgh locals.”

The Roxburghe will become The Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square from September 4, following a phased refurbishment and elegant new look by interior architects Goddard Littlefair, alongside Principal’s in-house design team.

Principal has showed continued confidence in the Edinburgh market, having recently renovated The Principal Edinburgh George Street in November 2016.