Food News – March 2012

We begin this month with the return of an Edinburgh institution. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Grant Stott! We kid of course, this small-time column could never get Mr Edinburgh. We're talking instead about Henri's, the premier deli for the Francophiles of Stockbridge. After a refurbishment that's seen the addition of a cafe and wine bar area to the deli operation, it's a great place to grab some tasty produce and use your best Inspector Clouseau voice when asking for stuff from behind the counter. Henri's re-opens 16 Mar, 48 Raeburn Place Edinburgh.

Say what you will about the corporate monoliths of the catering industry, but their loyalty schemes aren't bad. Their coffee may taste like burnt ear wax and their sandwiches constantly remind you that mayonnaise is one of the cheaper ingredients around, but at least you'll get a free one every so often. Well, now you can get freebies as well as diverting your money away from 'the man' with the Edinburgh Community Cafes loyalty card. 20 community cafes across the city are involved (edinburghcommunitycafes.org.uk for full list), from Captain Taylor's at the Bridges to our old gaff at The Drill Hall on Dalmeny St, and you can rest assured that your cash will be reinvested back into your local area rather than kept in an enormous locked vault for a rich old white man to roll around in. That, and you'll get free stuff.

Now, this column doesn't presume to know any more than the rest of you. We're nice like that. However, if we were hosting a pizza-making class for beginners, and knew that spinning pizza dough involves chucking it in the air, we wouldn't host that class on an open balcony overlooking a city street. Fanelli's of Glasgow's Merchant Square would presumably laugh in the face of our cowardice, as well as teaching you all the important stuff you need to know to make great pizza. Now you can save on takeaway bills and help reduce the number of hurried maniacs on scooters riding around on a Friday night (various dates, £26.50pp).

For those of you who've made it this far, we have a treat for you. Edinburgh's finest, Stewart Brewing, have been putting the finishing touches to some new beers. They want to show them off, so are hosting a launch night at the Leith Malmaison. As well as beer, there will be canapes. Entry is free. Yes, you read that right. Top-quality local beers 'to sample', along with lovely canapes, in a cool setting. For free. We may not have any celebrity endorsements, but don't say we're not good to you. Stewart Brewing Launch Night, Malmaison, 4 Tower Pl Leith, 30 Mar, 7pm, free entry.