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August 13, 2019

The independent, family-owned Scottish Cafe & Restaurant in Edinburgh has re-opened after an extensive seven-month refurbishment. 

Owned and operated by Edinburgh restaurateurs, Victor and Carina Contini, the fresh new look champions many Scottish designers while the menu, as always, showcases the very best seasonal and local Scottish produce. Main pic above shows Victor Contini doing final quality control checks on the cake selection.

With dishes such as Cullen Skink, Aberdeen butteries, as well as their classic fish and chips and Knickerbocker Glory ices, the Continis' commitment to their Scots-Italian heritage continues to shine through on the menu.

The Knickerbocker Glory is made with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Perthshire strawberries and a wafer.

The Knickerbocker Glory is made with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, Perthshire strawberries and a wafer.

The seasonal Scottish lunch menu includes more contemporary dishes like Peterhead cod kedgeree and Perthshire chanterelle spelt risotto.

Other options include a traditional Scottish Sunday roast, high tea for two and a selection of cakes baked in-house by The Scottish Cafe pastry team. Guests are also able to enjoy a choice of freshly baked scones served from a dedicated scone trolley service. Low gluten and vegan menus are also available.

The Continis' own kitchen garden on the outskirts of Edinburgh continues to supply the restaurant with daily harvests of edible flowers, herbs, salad leaves and berries. Their honey comes from their own hives situated at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One.

The restaurant is open for breakfast daily from 9am (10am on Sundays), with lunch service commencing at noon and running until one hour before gallery closing times. 

Stunning views

Located within the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound, The Scottish Cafe now benefits from improved accessibility with direct access from the adjoining section of East Princes Street Gardens entrance.

Carina Contini, owner of The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at the Scottish National Gallery, said:

'We’re extremely excited to reveal our fresh new look and menu in time for the Festival. Following the seven-month redevelopment, our new and returning customers will now benefit from improved accessibility from Princes Street Gardens.  Our terrace will be open shortly with stunning views over the city.'

The interiors takes inspiration from the East Neuk coastline, from the tangle of fishing nets in Pittenweem harbour to intricate lichens and a splash of wild gorse.

The interiors takes inspiration from the East Neuk coastline, from the tangle of fishing nets in Pittenweem harbour to intricate lichens and a splash of wild gorse.

The award-winning venue has been commended for its strong commitment to sourcing Scottish, local, sustainably produced food and drink.

Carina continued: 'In 2008 when we first had the opportunity to pitch for the Service Level Agreement at the National Galleries of Scotland, we saw this as the perfect venue to celebrate the best of Scotland amazing larder and showcase the finest of our artisan producers.

'The food scene has changed so much in the last ten years and we are very humbled to be recognised as one of the first businesses to champion Scotland’s great food heritage.' 

2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the Contini family’s arrival in Edinburgh from Lazio in Italy. As third generation Italian Scots, Victor and Carina continue to champion independent family businesses in Scotland and still buy from some of the producers their grandparents worked with. Their current supplier list includes over 70 artisan growers and producers. They also change their menus with the seasons.

Their collection of Edinburgh restaurants includes their award-winning Contini George Street and Cannonball Restaurant & Bar on Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

Cask Smugglers drop anchor on Waverley

Cask Smugglers are open for bootlegging business.

Cask Smugglers are open for bootlegging business. Pic: Facebook

A hop, skip and a jump away, Cask Smugglers bar had their opening party last weekend in the former VisitScotland centre on top of Waverley Mall.

Part of the Festival Village, it features a 1920s, Prohibition-style speakeasy vibe. Guests are welcome to stay all night and soak up the live music or arrive just in time to catch a fine view of the Castle fireworks.

It's billed as a whisk(e)y and cocktail bar and offers food from The Peruvian. Try the anticuchos - cow heart skewers marinated for 24 hours in a Peruvian spice blend. They are served with potatoes, salsa de rococo and huacatay sauce.

Located behind the festival pop-ups, it is a little difficult to find. The organisers reckon it is worth it as you’ll be 'rewarded with a laid-back space that’s perfect to while away a few hours between shows… or simply to dodge the latest downpour'.

A sort of semi-pop-up, Cask Smugglers will be on site until early 2020 and is open seven days a week from 11am-midnight.