30|12|2008
that keeps it at the top of Edinburgh's A-list of Italian eateries. It's sleek chrome and wood-panelled interior, live jazz and black-and-white films projected on to one wall provides a stylish setting, and discreet service permits you to take your time ordering, and enjoying, your selections.
A succinct, weekly-changing menu showcases the stellar seasonal Italian procuce that devotees of the V&C brand expect, and the marriage of strong flavours that don't overpower shines through in every well thought out dish. Antipasti include marinated beef fillet slices topped with juicy caperberries and the delicately deep-fried calamari special with chunky home-made pasta with Italian cured bacon and wild mushrooms to ricotta, spinach and nutmeg pancakes dressed with a deliciously light tomato sugo.
The dolci menu doesn't disappoint-cinnamon pears poached in red wine or a classic lemon tart cap off a pricey but brilliant meal-and a fabulous wine list featuring some 50 wines by the glass allows you to mix and match without worrying about blowing the budget.
Downstairs in the cafè, a delightful selection of sweet and savoury treats, coffees and wines awaits."