Italian restaurants on 5pm Dining were very well represented at the recent Scottish Italian Awards.
Set up to celebrate up the contribution of Scotland’s Italian restaurants to the country’s culinary life, the awards are voted for by the public. Over a thousand businesses entered in the different categories and over 30,000 votes were cast.
5pm member Celino’s took down two of the top prizes when the restaurant was named Best Bistro and its head chef, Chris Rouse, was named Best Chef at the awards in Glasgow on Sunday.
Celebrity chef
The chef made it thorough to the final judging session when he had to cook for celebrity chef and restaurateur Aldo Zilli. 5pm customers agree with the judging panel. Celino’s has a magnificent rating of 4.6/5 – one of the highest on 5pm. Several customers have used the 5pm review service to label Celino’s the ‘best Italian in Glasgow’.
Staying in Glasgow, La Lanterna, another very popular 5pm restaurant, was given the prize for Best Team.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Tony Pierotti of Piccolo Mondo in Renfrew and Glasgow city centre.
On the other side of the M8, Tony Crolla, his family and his team were celebrating after they scooped several prizes.
Most romantic restaurant
The Vittoria Group was named Best Multiple Operator while Divino Enoteca has two new awards to display: Best Restaurant Design and Most Romantic Restaurant.
The group’s La Favorita restaurants won Scotland’s Best Pizza.
Owner of The Vittoria Group, Tony Crolla said: ‘It’s a massive achievement for our group to be recognised and we would like to thank all of our amazing customers for voting for us. To take home this many awards is fantastic and it is thanks to our great team of management, chefs, and staff, the support of my family and the loyalty of our guests since 1970.’
All the winners
Italian Chef of the Year: Chris Rouse from Celino’s in Glasgow
Runner up: Ashley Rainbow from Little Italy in Dumfries
Scotland’s Best Team: La Lanterna in Glasgow
Best Bistro: Celino’s in Glasgow
Best Restaurant Design: Divino Enoteca in Edinburgh
Scotland’s Best Pizza: La Favorita Delivered in Edinburgh
Joint Runners Up: Vito’s in Ayr and Toni’s Pizzeria in Giffnock
The Best Fish and Chips: The Bridge Cafe in Sauchie
Best Italian Restaurant: Little Italy in Dumfries
Best Pasta: Amodo Mio in Falkirk
Best Multiple Operator: Vittoria Group in Edinburgh
Best Ice Cream Parlour: Crolla’s Gelateria in Glasgow
Most Romantic Restaurant: Divino Enoteca in Edinburgh
Best Newcomer: Toni’s Pizzeria in Giffnock, Glasgow
Best Deli: Eusebi Deli in Glasgow
Favourite Italian Business: Pietro’s Deli in Glasgow
Best Marketing Team: Eusebi Deli in Glasgow
Best Family Restaurant: Rigatoni’s in Edinburgh
Best Barista: Marco Caira from Visocchi’s in Broughty Ferry
Best Wine List: Capo Landa in Muirhead, Glasgow