A leading Aberdeen-based food and drink group has announced the closure of one of its prestigious restaurants, as it prepares to launch a new business venture in early 2016.
Beetroot Restaurants Ltd, which was established in 2009, will close the doors to its fine-dining restaurant, The Courtyard, in January to launch CUE, a high quality, casual barbecue restaurant following a five-figure investment.
The restaurant group, which also includes dirty cooking style restaurant, The Adelphi Kitchen, and outside catering company, Eat Beetroot, will partner with emerging hot sauce producers, Angus & Oink Ltd, for the new eatery.
The partnership arises as the popular trend for barbecue cuisine and the dirty cooking religion continues across the UK.
Food at CUE will be non-fuss, high quality and traditional barbecue cuisine. The eatery will also boast a bar serving Southern American and Southern US themed drinks, as well as an area for live music acts.
Chris Tonner, managing director of Beetroot Restaurants, said: “The recent popular BBQ trend has taken the UK by storm, so we have decided to be one of the first establishments to bring this new dining experience to the city, diversifying the market with our unique ideology. We want the new business to be one of the leading eating destinations in the city so we have decided to pull away from the fine-dining aspect and offer customers an authentic BBQ experience. I am delighted to be partnering with Angus & Oink for this venture and I am looking forward to showing Aberdeen a totally new style of cooking.
“I would like to reassure all of our customers that The Courtyard will continue to operate to the highest of standards until our final party on Hogmanay. Since taking over The Courtyard five years ago, the business has built a loyal customer base, and I look forward to celebrating its success with them over the next few months, ending on a high with a ‘Life of The Courtyard’ party for our big finale. Our customers have been a huge support to us and I am looking forward to welcoming them to the new venture.
“For the time being, we will be running an exclusive menu at The Courtyard celebrating our favourite dishes from throughout the years to offer our customers a final taste of The Courtyard.”
Malissa Fraser of Angus & Oink, commented: “We have grown from strength to strength this year throughout the North-east and now, having launched our online store, we are seeing expansion throughout the UK. Our unique sauces and seasonings were inspired by our journey throughout the Southern US and South America, where we discovered tremendous BBQ cuisine.
“We are delighted to be a partner in CUE, a new exciting culinary adventure that will bring authentic BBQ food to the people of Aberdeen."
The Courtyard will officially close on December 31, 2015, and it is anticipated CUE will be open to the public by February 2016.