The Rutland aims to become top Edinburgh venue

A successful restaurant manager has been taken on at The Rutland in Edinburgh to turn the award winning hotel, restaurant, bar and late lounge into the city’s venue of choice.

Andy Dempster (33) is just a few weeks into his new role as general manager at The Rutland, in Edinburgh’s West End, but he already has exciting plans for developing the venue into the place to be seen in the city.

Andy now plans to spread the word about The Rutland’s decadent décor, delicious a la carte menu, extensive wine and cocktail lists, and funky late lounge The One Below.

With fantastic views overlooking Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street and housed in an impressive Georgian building, The Rutland has achieved much success since its £4m revamp in 2008, winning eleven industry awards to date.

“My key objective is to continue the award winning success of The Rutland but also to change the outdated perception of what the venue is by establishing what it truly is - one of Edinburgh's premiere venues to eat, drink and party,” he says.

“The whole site is beautifully developed, and I've been fortunate enough to inherit a great team. My immediate focus will be to tell the world that Restaurant at The Rutland has a delicious a la carte menu, created by our talented chef David Haetzman, which can be enjoyed in our stunning restaurant with some of the best views in the city. I am looking to significantly increase restaurant covers, which may be a challenge in the current economic climate but I am determined to achieve it.

“I will also be looking to create and establish a new identity for our late night offering, The One Below, which has a cocktail list to die for and aims to offer something a little different for the people of Edinburgh to enjoy.”

Andy was behind the success of the Living Ventures owned Gusto, on George Street, where he increased sales by 25% and put the restaurant on the map. He is now aiming for continued success at the Rutland.

He adds: “I love the hospitality industry and everything that it involves and, as a manager, it is the ability to implement a defined vision that makes the difference between achieving mediocrity or excellence. The secret to success is to work with the best possible team, as well as understand your customer’s needs, and myself the team are really excited about taking The Rutland forward in 2010 and beyond.”