Asu is the first Edinburgh venture from Joanna Nethery, founder of Five March in Glasgow. Menus and kitchen are led by David Cleary, executive chef at Five March. Cleary previously headed the kitchen at Hanoi Bike Shop, the Michelin Bib Gourmand Vietnamese restaurant in Glasgow. The cooking at Asu is Asian in influence and built for the shared dining area it opens into.
Asu joins Haze, Shrimpwreck and Civerinos on the ground floor. Woven Whisky opened its blending room in June. Studios on the upper floors are shared by Gina Burgess and Hayley McCrirrick, with Le Kilt joining the first floor.
The Foundry, entered from Tower Street, becomes a Fringe venue in August for Grid Iron’s adaptation of Andrew O’Hagan’s Mayflies.
Gunnar Groves-Raines, Creative Director of Custom Lane:
Brown's was set up on the idea that independent businesses strengthen one another. Five March built their following in Glasgow on generous hospitality and considered food. Asu takes the ground floor to four, and the building keeps working the way we intended.
Brown’s of Leith, 4-6 The Shore, Leith. Open Thursday to Sunday, 9am to 10pm. Fringe hours from 12 to 31 August: Monday and Wednesday 3pm to 10pm, closed Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday 9am to 10pm.