Edinburgh’s Santini restaurant is reaching out to the regions with a series of new menus inspired by four of Italy’s most celebrated gourmet hot spots.
Starting from today, each regional menu will be available for two weeks, beginning with Sicily, then Tuscany, Veneto and Piedmont. Apparently, the menus have been meticulously researched.
Sicily is known for its citrus orchards and fresh vegetables which are often combined with seafood. So, Santini’s Sicilia menu includes pan fried sardines stuffed with breadcrumbs, pecorino, garlic and Mediterranean herbs while the char-grilled tuna is served with Sicilian caponata vegetables.
The menu for the coastal region of Veneto looks interesting. Baccala alla Veneziana, or slow cooked, cured cod with milk, celery and potatoes, sounds like an unusual mouthful.
Each menu is accompanied by specially selected wines from the region. Prices begin at £5.50 for a starter, £12.00 for a main course and £6.50 for dessert.
Tomorrow, look out for a review of Easy Tasty Italian, a cookbook by Laura Santtini. Her father opened the original Santini restaurant in London and Laura was instrumental in helping to establish the Edinburgh branch.