Edinburgh’s restaurateurs are busier than Santa’s elves as Tutto Matto, Passorn Brasserie and Wee Buddha gear up for the festive rush.

In Edinburgh, there is a flurry of activity as people rush to open restaurants in the pre-Christmas boom time.

On Nicolson Street, the team who built and then sold the Pinto brand have launched a new venture called Tutto Matto which we think means Love Bug.

A casual Italian pizza joint with the occasional American flourish, stone baked pizza are at the heart of the menu.

Globe-trotting pizza flavours

Diners can tuck into 26 varieties of hand-stretched pizza from classic Italian Margheritas to more globe-trotting options such as the Berlin which is topped with Napoli sauce, sauerkraut, landjager sausage and Emmental.

Naturally, there are Scottish versions:

The Edinburgh, which is topped with Napoli sauce, Grant’s haggis and Scottish cheddar.

And the Glasgow, which is topped with the house tomato sauce; crumbled Simon Howie lorne sausage, Stornoway black pudding, Ayrshire smoked bacon, Scottish sharp cheddar, egg and mozzarella.

Cultural mix and match

We haven’t tried it and it may be delish but we have yet to be tempted by the Bangkok, which is made with ‘green Thai curry pizza sauce, aromatic prawns, crab, coconut cream, kaffir leaves, red chilli, coriander and mozzarella’.

We’re all for cultural mix and matching but, speaking personally, that may be a step too far.

There are also pasta bowls, sharing boards, salads and sides such as skinny fries, baked crab pots and buffalo wings.

The 5pm Dining blog wishes Tutto Matto all the best.

New Thai restaurants

In other East Coast news, the upmarket Thai restaurant Passorn has expanded from its Tollcross HQ and opened a new brasserie on Hanover Street.

Many would rate the Passorn as Edinburgh’s best Thai.

If Passorn sets out to be high end, then Wee Buddha, which is coming together in the old Iglu premises on Jamaica Street, is aiming for a more casual feel.

Asian street influenced tapas and pub grub with a twist are promised when the New Town bar/restaurant/cafe opens.