Connect Café

In February 2011, Nell and her two business partners took over the existing Connect Café and Gift Shop in Comely Bank, Edinburgh and gave it a makeover with deep red and grey walls, red and white spotty tablecloths and revamped the menu with homemade soups, open sandwiches, cakes and scones. Provenance is key – and Nell sources Black and Gold pressed rapeseed oil – very rich in Omega 3s from East Lothian, sweet balsamic dressing from Ayrshire and sells flowers grown organically outside in East Lothian. Cakes and fruit scones are made by a local mum, open sandwiches are made from Edinburgh baker Au Gourmand wholegrain brown bread, sun blush tomato, sunflower seeds and rocket and topped with a variety of fillings such as Isle of Mull cheddar, chicken and Galloway Preserves chilli jam. Coffee is from Brodies of Edinburgh and tea is from small Newcastle based company Loveleaftea with tantalising flavours of stinging mint, chocolate mint rooibos and chamomile and lemongrass which are all very popular.

Connect is open Monday – Saturday 9-5 with seasonal variations. Connect is also available for private hire in the evenings. Connect Café and Gift Shop, 153- 155 Comely Bank Road, EH4 1BQ. Tel: 0131 315 2003