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News Flash – This is not a political broadcast!
At the beginning of the year I thought let’s do something fun and bring a bit more of Italy to Scotland. All before I realised that the EU Referendum takes place on 23rd June.
Festa Della Repubblica or Italian National Day, is celebrated in Italy on 2nd June. The day commemorates the referendum in 1946, following the Second World War and the fall of Fascism when Italy became a republic.
Politics aside, June is a great month to have a party so we hope you all can join in and share in the wonderful things that we love about Italy. From live music to cocktails, we’ll be showcasing the many wonderful regions of this beautiful country. It’s better than going on holiday because you don’t need to buy the flights! So let me give you a flavour of what we have in store this June.
More and more of our guests are looking for vegetarian dishes so there is no better time of the year to bring you all of the sunshine we import from Italy with of our amazing fresh produce. Violet aubergines, San Marzano tomatoes, Pachino tomatoes, Camone tomatoes, cherries and apricots supplemented of course with beetroot, pea shoots, broad beans, peas from our very own kitchen garden.
We’ll have everything from a new range of gelato, because you can’t think of Italy without thinking of gelato. We have many new flavours for you to enjoy at just £2.50 per flavour. Choose from Pistacchio (pistachio), Fragola (fresh Scottish strawberry), Mandorla (almond), Azzurro (fun for the children ads it’s blue like the colour of the Mediterranean) and delicious Amalfi Lemon Sorbet. Sheer heaven!
I’m sure you’ve all heard of aperitivo, the tradition of enjoying a pre-dinner drink, usually al-fresco, taking time to sit and chat with colleagues after work knowing that dinner will take place much later in the evening. Well we’re bringing Aperitivo Milanese-style to Ristorante. One of Italy’s most relaxed and enjoyable experiences after a hard day at work. Leave the office and enjoy a refreshing spritz from our new range or any cocktail and help yourself to complimentary aperitivo snack at the bar. And not just any snacks, an array of small antipasti and bruschetta so moreish you won’t be able to resist.
One of our favourite producers Mark and Elvezia are world class wine producers delivering world class wines at very practical prices. Delicious. Amano Rosato is sunshine in a glass. Love at first sight. The colour, aroma and flavour exceed all your expectations.
Alternatively, something you may not have tried before but chilled red wine in the summer is a real treat, completely different and utterly refreshing. Amano Susumaniello is one of our favourite wines. It’s red, made from an indigenous grape Puglian variety and best served chilled. Delicious as a pre-dinner drink or just perfect sipping in the sunshine when you can steal some free-time in the late afternoon.
It’s great that the Italians have so many different words for different stages of their eating and drinking rituals. Italy has a wonderful tradition of enjoying a meal all the way through to the final sip of a delicious digestive or liquor. You’ve got to try Amaro Nonino – the loveliest digestivo with a slice of orange over ice from Victor’s dear friends the Nonino Family in Frulia. Even more refreshing is the delicious Limoncello – this classic lemon liquor from the Amalfi coast which is heavenly and always available chilled.
We have so much in store for you to enjoy this June and we can’t wait to welcome you.
For more information keep an eye on our website and social media channels.