Jenners Food Hall

[cal125]

...is reopening on October 9th as Valvona and Crolla

Not that I've anything against Valvona and Crolla but I doubt they'll have the same range of stock they used to. I don't know if it will be exclusively Valvona and Crolla products but for instance I cannot imagine them selling Boaters' flavoured instant coffees (the reason I went last week; no sign of it being closed until you actually get to the foot of the last of those three narrow escalators, just a tad annoying!). V&C do their own coffees so I doubt they'll entertain the competition. I can get my Boaters coffee online but it's £4 p&p per order under £40 and all the hassle of arranging redelivery if I'm not in when the postie comes. Whittard do flavoured coffees but not nearly the same variety. For instance Boaters have just brought out a toffee cappuccino flavour, which I cannot wait to try. I ordered a selection pack of individual sachets from the site; it has three each of six flavours including that one and I'm saving them for my next trip up to Inverness I guess I could try Harvey Nicks but I shudder to think how much they charge; it would probably be cheaper online.

If anyone gets to the reopened food hall before me it would be interesting to hear what it's like. If I get there first I'll post an update.

[cal125]

Well I was up there yesterday and as I feared it is mostly V&C's own stuff. Definitely no Boaters coffee. Though aside from my own shopping habits, it is certainly brighter and has an interestingly set out cafe area with bar stool type seats at the window overlooking Princes Street and there are lots of food and cookery related books lying about for customers to look at while they use the cafe. That is apart from the larger restaurant which is still there. Jenners are starting to put their Christmas trees and decorations up, though the big tree in the centre which extends up three floors isn't there yet.

[rotweiller]

If I remember rightly Jenners is now part of House of Fraser. Since they were bought over it is not the same. I used to love going into Jenner's when I worked in Scottish Widows in St Andrew's square (and that wasn't yesterday lol. More like 19canteen). I especially loved going in at Christmas.

[mrs sixx]

So true. Standards have dropped - since Hof F took over. I am a devotee of V&C but in Jenners they don't even have their own staff. The entire floor is vacuous - where is the produce? Seriously tempted to corner Mary next time i see her & ask wots it all about - alot of their items sit there with no price. Unlike the Elm Row shop which is a foodie haven with attentive staff, this may be their downfall. Can't be cheap digs in the Jenners building but says it all if cooncil want to make BHS a listed building!

What do you think?

[cal125]

Now Boaters Coffee has ceased trading! I got a letter this morning saying that their flavoured coffees are now being sold through a range called Dreamy Bean. There's a website and a code to put in at checkout to get an introductory 25% discount. Although it's true about Boaters ceasing trading, guess what, the website doesn't exist!!!!! this recession is a nightmare, just waiting to see what will disappear next. I did enjoy someone's comment in the Metro through the week, that with the latest big name to announce cutbacks and branches closing, "this isn't just a recession; this is an M&S recession"!

[cal125]

Update: dreamybean.co.uk is now up and running though they do not appear to have an instant coffee range. Perhaps they will introduce those later on (i.e. once the introductory discount has finished.) Just as well I stocked up a few weeks ago.

[muz]

Yep - had a look today and you're right, no sign of instant. I have to say - I'm fine with the finest range in Tescos! (Costa Rican rules!!!)

[doonhamer]

Does anyone know if you can still get smoked chicken in the new Jenners' food hall/Valvona & Crolla outlet? We used to get it there but before I make the pilgrimage in from the sticks (i.e.Bathgate),I 'd like to know if I need to look further afield.

[mrs sixx]

Inverawe (please forgive spelling if wrong) or Rannoch Smokery supply various smoked meats to V&C. Availability changes month to month but they are most defo stockists. The range is there but depends what they have at the time. Maybe an idea to phone ahead of potential journey to check what they currently have - if neither V&C delis have your item you could call Harvey Nicks food hall. From past experience they are also very helpfull with any enquiries & will keep things aside for you. Hope this helps.

[cal125]

www.gourmethouse.co.uk/index.html

This appears to be the replacement for Boaters and they are doing their own flavoured instant coffees plus taking over what was the Boaters range.