Mother’s close to our hearts

Good morning lovely people, and happy Mother’s Day for all you even lovelier mummies.   If No 1 daughter was at home, I’d be [...]

What’s (APP) Up?

Good morning lovely people, My political enthusiasm is fading like my resilience to resist those chocolates that I said I’ll give up [...]

No room for carelessness

Good morning lovely people, I’ve been careless. No, I didn’t forget to declare £27m. Sacked from the Cabinet, how is Zahawi still [...]

Best restaurants in Edinburgh | BBC Good Food

Best restaurants in Edinburgh | BBC Good Food “It’s famous for its summer arts festivals, but Edinburgh has plenty to offer [...]

Pedestals to be used for saints only

Good morning lovely people , I hope I have a tinge of humour, arising from the situations that we’ve been subjected to.   I’ve [...]

Some fresh air would be a treat

Happy New Year lovely people Some say we shouldn’t look back. A little health check to see if we’re heading in the right direction, [...]

‘Tis the Season

Good morning lovely people    Yes, when you’re told you can’t have it, you’ll want it even more.  The polls have seen a [...]

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Hello lovely people, What does happiness mean for you? For Nonna G it’s duck with orange sauce, dauphinoise potatoes followed by [...]

We Must Never Forget

Hello lovely people, Permacrisis (blooming nightmare had too many syllabubs), Collins Dictionary word of the Year “an extended period [...]

Autumn brings much to be excited about

Last week I needed to leave the country to get a break; from politics. It’s exhausting. I can’t remember a time when all our national [...]

And breathe…

My last missive wasn’t too cheery. Thank you to those who helped me smile the following Monday morning. One reply (very different from [...]

Two Faces…

Good morning lovely people, My face gets me into trouble all the time. If I’m worried or grumpy you know. If I’m happy you probably [...]

Take a bow…

Good Morning Lovely People,  The difference between the new PM (, the rest of us) and the Princess Royal can all be summed up in a [...]

Solve the problem, don’t pass it on.

Good morning lovely people,   Today we’ll hear who the new PM is.  They should come clean and admit they can’t do the job but [...]

Edinburgh, we love you…

Good Morning Lovely People,  Edinburgh you are wonderful.  Especially the week before last when the sun was shining.  It’s been wet [...]

Coming home…

Good Morning Lovely People, Having left Italy, with daily a la carte restaurant choices, the big debate this week, is what shape of [...]

O Sole Mio

Good Morning Lovely People, This is a short and sweaty post. We’re in Italy.  We did one of those last minute dot com type trips with [...]

When does bad, become too bad?

Good Morning lovely people, Deception, manipulation, self interest, corruption isn’t in my world or yours.  It’s not welcome or allowed [...]

This is all so complicated

Good morning lovely people, In a week when a new Bill of Rights is being presented to Parliament, when we had a perfectly good Human [...]

No, it wasn’t a hologram

Dear Lovely People, No, it wasn’t a hologram…  What’s changed in our world since my seven year old self celebrated the [...]

I have a plan

Good morning lovely people,   What’s unfolding is like an episode of the comedy Blackadder, but not as funny.   They had a plan [...]

Numbers never lie

Good morning lovely people,   I thought I’d lost this email but I found it next to my ferry tickets and Mastercard statement. What [...]

Basic Instinct

Good morning lovely people, (Thankfully I’ve never said “ladies and gentlemen” as that could be offensive if I was working in the House [...]

All show, no substance with a clear lack of integrity

Dear Lovely people We get so much of a show for our money these days but where is the substance to back it up?  Will Smith gave us all [...]

Waiting for the picturesque scenery

Dear Lovely people I’ve had a busy couple of weeks so my head is struggling to filter all of the news.  I know many of you feel the [...]

The weather has turned

Good morning lovely people What we thought was a nightmare over the last two years was just a few sleepless nights.  The world has [...]

Lightning never strikes twice

This week I thought I’d send you all a questionnaire.  I decided I’d ask you to answer truthfully.  By accident, it was sent to the PM [...]

Love is all around us

Morning lovely people With Valentines slowly approaching we’re sharing some of the love you’ve shared with us over the last few [...]

Time for some fun

Good morning lovely people I’d like to dedicate this blog to those who have suffered indirectly due to the effects of Covid, not to the [...]

The last week of 2021 I had Covid-itis

Dear lovely people The last week of 2021 I had Covid-itis. It’s a new strain that’s been identified by myself and like minded crazy [...]

Cold turkey isn’t to everyone’s taste

I hope you’ve all eaten lots, drunk enough and laughed more than usual. We’re looking forward to our Boxing Day cold turkey [...]

You’re all invited to our party

Good morning lovely people Clearly I was too happy last blog.  I was getting away with myself.  Victor and I even had a date night, in [...]

We’re smiling

Good morning lovely people, Regardless of all the stuff that’s thrown at us, life is good and we need to celebrate even the little [...]

Merry men (and some merry women)

The only word I had for the opening pomp of COP26 was hypocrisy. I’ll add my vote to the 76% Good Morning Britain poll who had the same [...]

More cake…

Good morning lovely people Let them eat cake.  Marie Antoinette’s most famous phrase. The other was “I wasn’t expecting [...]

Warning: If you love Boris, this is not for you

Good morning lovely people Some people just don’t get it.  Let’s agree that we can’t always agree. We may see a different perspective [...]

What on earth is going on?

My 15yo came out with “What on earth is going on?”  She was referring to eruptions in Las Palma and earthquakes in Australia.  Then her [...]

Team Hospitality Offer

National Hospitality Day and National Family Business Day!  The 18th September is National Hospitality Day and the 23rd September is [...]

United we stand……..

To our dear hospitality colleagues The last 18 months have been an unimaginable nightmare.  We’ve been forced to close, trade [...]

When I said you were escaping my weekly blogs I really “hoped” we would be moving towards a normal

Normal really feels like a lifetime ago. Is it just us or do you feel the same? When I said you were escaping my weekly blogs I really [...]

Puppy Love at Contini Venues

Last week Victor and I had a few days off.  Quite remarkable!  So lovely to spend time with the children and for the first time in over [...]

Over the last 75 weeks I’ve truly loved sharing my thoughts

Good morning lovely people Today you’re getting freedom from my weekly missives, but as the FM says no freedom from Covid, for some [...]

The flags are out in Lasswade and it isn’t even the Gala

Good morning lovely people The flags are out in Lasswade and it isn’t even the Gala (if you’re not from Scotland and need to know what [...]

What a difference a year makes….

Today is a happy blog. We have three restaurants back up and running and the sense of relief is difficult, even for me, to articulate.  [...]

Cannonball House Dining Guidelines

**UPDATED JANUARY 2022** All Venues Dining Guidelines JANUARY 2022 Covid is still with us so as a restaurant business we plan to [...]

Sorry, it’s a Long Covid missive today

I was confused for a moment, so Edinburgh is moving from Level 2 to Level 0 tomorrow.  Is it, “Pass Straight to Go and Collect £200” or [...]

From Lazio to Cockenzie: the making of a family restaurant

Victor and Carina Contini are both third generation Italian Scots. They are also the owners of The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant which [...]

The 10 Clouds of Covid

We’re on Cloud 9, but not as you know it.  We’re in the middle of a sandstorm. Watching the world around us makes me feel a bit like [...]

The cupboards are all tidy

Good morning lovely people I love analysing things, you may have noticed. Victor says I’ve to stop trying to control the things I can’t [...]

I’m throwing my toys out of the pram this week

Good morning lovely people I’m throwing my toys out of the pram this week,  actually we’ve been thrown out the pram, fall guy [...]

We invite you to enjoy Contini venues this summer

Hello, What a year it has been. Our industry has been hit hard but we are delighted to still be here feeling positive and energised for [...]

What will next year be like

This time last year we were still in Lockdown 1 and the prospect of the 15th July opening was filled with a sense of relief that this [...]

Noted, shorter updates

Last week felt like the Glasgow Fair. (With Glasgow in Level 3, it was no surprise. I don’t understand the logic!). Growing up in a [...]

Jump on board

Good morning lovely people Sorry (well a little sorry) about last week’s blog.  I didn’t have time to apply and refine my usual [...]

Mixed Messages

I read papers aligned with all political parties to try and find balance. I listen to the radio as much as I watch the news, I have my [...]

We thought it’s all over, it isn’t now…

The circle of life of the kitchen garden usually mirrors hospitality. Dormant over the winter but triumphant when it comes back to life [...]

Home sweet home…..

Good morning lovely people This week Covid finally hit home.   The lorry arrived like Clockwork. Nonna G’s furniture was swiftly  [...]

The Scottish Cafe Dining Guidelines 2021

**UPDATED DECEMBER 2021** All Venues Dining Guidelines DECEMBER 2021 Covid is still with us so as a restaurant business we plan to [...]

We can’t afford a divorce

Good morning lovely people 27 years ago tomorrow, 5.30am, Victor and I were sitting, starry eyed in Edinburgh Airport. (As I type, [...]

Red card or just a menu and drinks list please

Good morning lovely people Who would have thought that 72 hours of super league turmoil could have resulted in the best fans’ win [...]

Contini Dining Guidelines

**UPDATED MARCH 2022** All Venues Dining Guidelines Covid is still with us so as a restaurant business we plan to continue some [...]

Maybe an aspirin would work?

I write this weekly blog every Friday morning.  This was my interpretation before 6pm. My thoughts post 6pm are detailed at the end.    [...]

Let the games commence

Dear lovely people We’ve been closed for 4 months.  On 16th March we were told the 26th April would be our reopen date, this week we [...]

Happy Easter lovely people

Easter for many will make you think of chocolate, spring lamb (roasted with garlic and rosemary!), eggs or hot cross buns.  For some it [...]

Stayin Alive with Blue Sky thinking

Our first blue envelope arrived, hoorah!  It put a spring in Victor’s step as the postman delivered this important package a good [...]

Who would have thought the FM announcements would ever be our prime time TV

On Tuesday we ceremoniously turned on the TV at 2.30pm. Who would have thought the FM announcements would ever be our prime time TV.  [...]

To say the last year has been emotional is an understatement

Good morning lovely people To say the last year has been emotional is an understatement. The emotions have ranged from shock, fear, [...]

Good news, well, some good news

Dear lovely people Last week I promised some good news so here we go.  It’s nothing we’ve been able to control but the Budget did bring [...]

Ready, steady, keep STOPPED!

Dear lovely people Never have so many businesses written so many business plans and regretted the time and energy over the last year. [...]

Hit Scotland Scholarships

We have so much skill in the kitchen it’s important that we keep the team excited and keep developing their skills. We were thrilled [...]

Where is Ironman or Wonder Woman when you need them?

The FM’s announcement that all Easter holidays are cancelled with a further caveat that there can be no confirmation yet whether or not [...]

Let’s not forget the things we truly love

Love.  Sometimes it’s hard to articulate. Often it’s easier to see it when it’s missing.   If you asked me on 14th February 2020 what I [...]

Time to learn something new

Dear lovely people I got to the end of January and realised I hadn’t called any of our team.  We use Flow, the online platform from [...]

Tomorrow is another day

The moment I wake up, I say a little prayer for all of us. I’m thankful that we have Contini At Home to keep us focused.  I’m thankful [...]

Nonna G gets her first vaccine

Dear lovely people Within days we will all be burdened with the news that we have passed 100,000 Covid deaths in the UK.   In less than [...]

Our first post Brexit Italian delivery

The Brexit dream of having territorial rights over our coastal waters that were previously shared with our largest export market had to [...]

Come on troops, let’s pick ourselves up, we’ve done it once we can do it again…

Do you feel like the world has gone into slow motion and you are observing from a distance? Monday’s announcements from Holyrood and [...]

Happy New Year! Out with the old in with the new!  

This year it doesn’t have the same ring to it. When the old is still surrounding us. Normally we are celebrating all the happy memories [...]

Are you a glass half full or half empty?

This is the last weekly letter before Christmas, or should I say before Lockdown again. Are you a glass half full or half empty? While [...]

Pardon me!

I feel like hospitality is sitting on death row waiting for a pardon, but everyone, including the judge, knows we’re innocent. I [...]

Brexit – What does it mean for our business

It’s almost 4 years since the Referendum to leave the European Union.  How did we ever get ourselves into this mess.  So much time, and [...]

Contini’s 12 Days of Christmas Give Away

We all need something to look forward to at the moment and here at Contini HQ (heart and quality department) we think we have the [...]

A safe place for families to meet and a source of employment and income for our teams

There is something joyous about going to work.  A sense of pride.  Achievement. Having the ability to support your family.  Many of us [...]

A little voice of support

A little bundle of light relief. We are on Level 3 repeat in Edinburgh this week, again.  It’s going to be very hard if not impossible, [...]

Zoom Christmas Parties with Contini at Home

We are delighted to be able to offer Christmas at Home for Corporate Christmas parties! Or for family online get togethers of course! [...]

Wake, work, eat, sleep.  Repeat.

Lovely friends, I’ve struggled to write this week’s letter. If you’re like us, you’re living on repeat.  Wake, work, eat, [...]

Carina’s Christmas Cake

I’m sharing my Christmas Cake recipe.  Make it anytime in November and it will be perfect for Christmas.  If you make this and share a [...]

Now class of 2020, let’s recap

17th March: Don’t go to restaurants 26th March: Restaurants to close, National lockdown 10th July: Restaurants can reopen outdoors 15th [...]

Contini at Home UK is now live

We are thrilled to launch Contini at Home UK All your favourite dishes and products delivered within 24 hours! Our delivery days are [...]

This is a letter sent with love

On Wednesday I was listed in the top 100 women in Hospitality in Scotland.  Voted by industry peers it meant even more to be included [...]

Save Our Jobs

So we have 5 tiers. 0,1,2,3,4. Not 12345.  It’s never straight forward is it! For restaurants, 0 is probably 3 households, up to 8 [...]

There will be no returning to normal

There will be no returning to normal……Sounds like, “You’ll have had your tea!”. Well we weren’t expecting to be high fiving on [...]

The Scottish Cafe is a “Cafe” and can remain open

We don’t need a cabinet, we need a drinks trolley and a kitchen table.  The government has advised on Wednesday that restaurants and [...]

BBC Wake Up to Money

8 October 2020

Listen to Carina discussing the Circuit Breaker and the impact it will have on family run restaurants and bars on the BBC show Wake up [...]

October Menu Launches & Offers

Growing up in Cockenzie was anything but glamorous but it was absolutely happy and safe. What’s not to love about living by the [...]

£10 off a la carte in October

Due to high demand we are delighted to extend the £10 off a la carte in October at Contini George Street. Available to book Monday to [...]

Sparkling Afternoon Tea at The Scottish Cafe

Sparkling Afternoon Tea for Two £50 at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant Join us for a fantastic Sparkling Afternoon Tea offer this [...]

Enjoy good food in a confident dining environment at Contini venues

It’s getting stranger by the minute. You know that groggy space when you’ve fallen asleep in front of the telly and you know you need [...]

Always look on the bright side of life

You know me – black and white.  The only grey is my hair.  Clearly there is no quick fix for this virus.  Even with a vaccine we [...]

Our search is on for Scotland’s best home bakers

15 September 2020

We are delighted to launch our second annual search for Scotland’s finest home baker in time for the return of hit TV show, The Great [...]

Keep Booking – Hospitality needs you

The problem with wearing a mask, if you wear glasses, is they steam up.  When you take your mask off to see the light at the end of the [...]

New Coffee Lounge at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant

All work and no play makes you crave a catch up.   Each of our venues have always had a very different personality.  We’ve always [...]

Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight

The Festival’s over and my ears are getting like dumbo.  Last week really felt like the festival was over.  August had a little [...]

Edinburgh Food Social

During lockdown we worked with Steve at Edinburgh Food Social providing surplus produce from the Kitchen Garden. We’re delighted to [...]

Contini Eat Out

Are you feeling hungry? My head has been going as fast as Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes at Monza.  Should we or should we not extend [...]

We’re smiling behind our masks

Hello everyone We had three Colonels and a fitness coach last night, there is a joke here somewhere?!   Phil, the fitness coach, has [...]

It’s interesting the word hospital is in hospitality

We’re feeling a bit shattered to tell you the truth.  Having to wear masks, no music and a shift in the general public’s [...]

The Scottish Cafe is OPEN

To our friends, When I wake up in the morning, love And sunlight hurts my eyes, And something without warning, love Bears heavy on my [...]

Dining Guidelines at The Scottish Cafe

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant Dining Guidelines 2020 We are delighted to re-open The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant on 17th August [...]

Sunshine Dining at Contini George Street

Ciao tutti, Last week there were a few days when if you closed your eyes and looked up to the sky you could have been in Amalfi.  Blue [...]

A summer without the Festivals

Dear lovely friends, it’s August in Edinburgh and the city is looking and feeling very different Our business has benefited hugely from [...]

You are my sunshine

Superman has always been my superhero.  I was 8, and can still remember the feeling listening to the soundtrack from the original film [...]

What do they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder!

How we have missed you all. But the feeling has been mutual and the excitement from so many of you to be back in the restaurant has [...]

Summer (safe) dining at Contini George Street

Wow it feels like our birthday and Christmas has come all at once.  On Wednesday we get to welcome you back to Contini George Street [...]

An Update from Contini’s

Dear lovely people How are you all doing? Is this getting any less confusing? I was inspired listening to Nicholas Hytner, former [...]

Dining at Contini George Street – Our New Normal

Contini George Street dining Guidelines 2020 We know you’ve missed dining out so we very much and we are so happy to be able to serve [...]

Finally a little good news

Dear lovely people. So the 15th of July is our liberation date.  Finally a little good news.  Nonna Gertrude texted me within 2 minutes [...]

Moving forward (smiling) slowly but surely……

Dear lovely people,  How are you all doing?  We so hope you’re all safe and well. Last week was emotional on many counts.  We [...]

FATHERS DAY 21st June 2020

Hello lovely people. You might have caught my column last week in the Scotsman, all about my daddy.  He taught me so much.  Work hard, [...]

Contini at Home – Now you can order up to two weeks ahead

Hello lovely people.  New menu released and extended.  You can now order these menus over the next two weeks so you can plan ahead. [...]

Holiday with Contini at Home

Hello lovely people. We can’t tell you how beautiful it is to see you when we get to deliver to your home. Your comments and thanks [...]

CONTINI AT HOME – NEW MENU LAUNCH

Ok everyone, two weeks down and going well. We’ve taken on board your requests and have made a few changes. We will be delivering [...]

Contini at Home – Our first week

Last week I had my first full time week in the kitchen at George Street for many years.  Contini at Home launched.  Thank you all [...]

A note from Carina

Dear lovely people How are you all doing?  We hope you and your loved ones are safe and well.  We’re missing you. We’re missing our [...]

What a difference a few hours never mind a day makes

Thank you for the incredible response to Contini Cooks.   We were only open for two hours and we were delighted with the number of [...]

Contini Cooks

Never in my life have I felt the need for my entrepreneurial spirit to be ignited. I’m digging deep and while I’m extremely nervous I’m [...]

VOICE FOR OUR HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY

LET’S ALL BE A VOICE FOR OUR HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY We all understand the importance of the public health advice being passed down by [...]

Contini Kitchen Garden Winter Story

9 March 2020

  This winter hasn’t been as bad as I expected so far. January was not that cold and wet at all, so working outside [...]

Sunshine ahead……

UPDATE 23rd MARCH We are currently closed. Thank you to all you beautiful people. We will miss you but we will be back. We had an [...]

Contini Team Mental Health

This is Emma, our brilliant HR manager. We are very proud to share that she recently completed training for mental health first aid. [...]

In response to Veganuary I give you Betteranuary 

In June last year I was given the honour of being asked to be the first Ambassador for the Royal Highland Education Trust.  This is a [...]

Sunday Roast

Weekends are for catching up with family and friends….and where better than over a scrumptious Sunday roast and a nice bottle of [...]

Carina in print – Scots Magazine February 2020

In print in the February issue of Scots Magazine Valentines Day needs to be renamed Friendship February. Keeping a good thing for just [...]

Eat, drink, be merry, be kind and REST!

When your thirteen year old says Christmas has come really quick this year (and her own birthday is on Christmas Day) you know you’re [...]

Scottish Ballet Competition – Win Tickets to the Spectacular Snow Queen

Win 4 tickets to Scottish Ballet’s Snow Queen and Festive Aperitivo at Contini George Street As part of our partnership with Scottish [...]

We are recruiting for Seasonal Team Members

We are recruiting for seasonal temporary team members! We are looking for exceptional people who share our passion for fresh local [...]

Carina in Print – Scots Mag November 2019

Scots Magazine in print November 2019 I love traditions, especially when they revolve around food. They can be historical like [...]

Carina in Print – October Scotsman

In print 27th October 2019 It’s Halloween.  That scary time of the year.  Brexit aside what’s scary is the shift in how different [...]

Contini Bake Off Winner

We are delighted to announce our winner of the Contini Bake Off! A huge well done to Grace Warnock, Age 14 from Prestonpans. We were so [...]

Kids Eat Free October Holidays

Yay – it’s the start of the school holidays!! The school holidays can be a costly affair so we have decided to treat you at [...]

10/10 for The Scottish Cafe in the Herald Scotland

Joanna Blythman: One of very few independent food businesses in the capital outshines some of its bigger rivals Every customer is a [...]

Carina in print – October Scots Magazine

Available in shops now – Grab your copy today! I’m a sucker for shellfish. Mussels, lobsters, prawns, clams, scallops if they [...]

Proudly Celebrating National Family Business Day

Proud to celebrate National Family Business Day 2019 Victor and I are third generation Italian Scots. Our grandparents were great [...]

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant Serves the Best Breakfast in Edinburgh

Well we think so anyway! Choose from our fantastic selection of Scottish double cream porridge with your choice of toppings or homemade [...]

Carina Contini on August for Contini Venues

Carina Contini summarises August for Contini venues This Festival was like no other.  Record breaking wettest first week.  Record [...]

Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight at Cannonball House

SCOTTISH FOOD & DRINK FORTNIGHT The Fortnight takes place between 31 August and 15th September and this year we will be celebrating [...]

Contini Bake Off

Scotland’s best home bakers set to rise to the challenge – PRESS RELEASE 29th August 2019   The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant in [...]

CARINA IN PRINT – AUGUST SCOTS MAGAZINE

In print August 2019 – grab your copy today Crazy season in Edinburgh has arrived.  After our summer holiday in July we’re all [...]

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is Open!

We’re extremely excited to reveal our fresh new look and menu in time for the Festival. We very much look forward to sharing the Victor [...]

Carina Contini to Showcase at Edinburgh Food Festival

Delighted to announce that Carina will be one of 5 Edinburgh chefs at this year’s Edinburgh Food Festival, which is taking place [...]

Carina Contini appointed first official Ambassador of Royal Highland Education Trust

We are delighted to announce that Countryside education charity the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) have appointed Carina Contini [...]

Carina in print – Scotsman June 2019

Carina Contini for Scotsman 8th June 2019 June is one of my favourite months.  In advance I’ll apologise to all my children’s [...]

CIS Awards Success for Cannonball Restaurant

When you go will send back, a letter from Switzerland! PLEASE READ THE FULL THREAD.  IT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE, I PROMISE. We’re thrilled [...]

Carina in print – May Scotsman

In print 4th May 2019 Be honest girls and boys, who can’t resist SAS Who Dares Wins? Anthony Middleton, Jason Fox, Ollie Ollerton – [...]

Celebrations & Anniversaries

Celebrations.  In our family they’re a bit like buses.  Nothing for ages and then they all come at once. Last Friday was the 15th [...]

Edinburgh Eating & Drinking Guide

The team were delighted to attend the annual launch of the 26th edition of the List Eating & Drinking Guide last night. The [...]

Joanna Blythman Cannonball Review

We were so thrilled to read Joanna Blythman’s review of Cannonball in the Herald Scotland on Sunday 14th April 2019. I groan when [...]

Carina in print – April Scotsman

Carina Contini for Scotsman – In print Saturday 13th April 2019 25 years.  Oh my goodness.  I can’t believe Victor has put up [...]

Carina in print – February Scots Magazine

In print February 2019 Love is in the air.  Valentines Day on the 14th is always a good excuse for a little romance.  All those dottie [...]

BBC Good Food Guide

6 March 2019

We were thrilled to have not one but two of our restaurants featured in the “Best places to eat in Edinburgh” feature in [...]

Scotland the Best 2019

We were delighted to attend the launch of Pete Irvine’s 25th Edition of Scotland the Best last night. And even more delighted for [...]

Vote for Contini George Street

We’re thrilled to be shortlisted in the final of The List Readers Award 2019, voted by the public. In our 100 year celebration year [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Torta Cioccolato by Carina Contini for today’s Daily Record If we take this very rich, flour free, chocolate cake off the menu at [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Chocolate Chip Cookies by Carina Contini for today’s Daily Record The children love these. They are a really easy recipe to let [...]

carina in print – Daily record

Gingerbread Loaf by Carina Contini for today’s Daily Record I used to make this regularly when I was at school. My dad and I [...]

Some of the challenges of being a woman in business

I’m a female director in a male dominated industry.  I started my life as the youngest of 8 in a Catholic immigrant family. [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

Coconut & Almond Bites by Carina Contini for today’s Daily Record The little cherry on top.   Ingredients:   100g unsalted [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

Pistachio & Orange Biscuits by Carina Contini for today’s Daily Record Pistachios are one of the most expensive nuts around [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Parmigiano Scones by Carina Contini for today’s Daily Record Makes approx 10   These are more savoury than our usual Isle of Mull [...]

Carina in print – daily record

Rose water meringues by Carina Contini for today’s Daily Record   If love and romance is in the air try these pretty pink scented [...]

Carina in Print – January Scotsman

19 January 2019

In print 19th January 2019 Hands up who’s got a cold, had a cold or knows they’re going to get a cold shortly.  It’s miserable being [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Cherry and almond scones by Carina Contini for Daily Record – in print Monday 4th February You will be slightly surprised by just [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Green Tea Fruit Loaf (Dairy Free) by Carina Contini for Daly Record. In print Monday 28th January 2019 Fresh baking is always a welcome [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

Tarta de Santiago (Dairy Free) by Carina Contini for the Daily Record – in print Monday 21st January 2019 My darling brother John Mark [...]

Victor’s Bees – winter update

Victor’s Bees – winter update by Margaret Forrest, Beekeeper 2018 was an amazing year for Victor’s bees at Modern One and the Kitchen [...]

Carina to deliver keynote speech

Carina is delighted to have been invited to deliver one of the keynote speeches to champion Scottish family businesses at the Great [...]

carina in print – daily record

Ham & Egg Pie by Carina Contini for the Daily Record – in print Monday 7th January 2019 This is our go to family savoury [...]

Exciting 2019 Project!

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant will be temporarily closed from 6th January 2019 to allow for the National Galleries of Scotland [...]

carina in print – daily record

31 December 2018

Cranberry Shortbread by Carina Contini in Daily Record Monday 31st December 2018 Everyone loves a gift of food at Christmas. Homemade [...]

carina in print – Daily record

24 December 2018

Yum Yum Christmas Pudding by Carina Contini in the Daily Record Monday 24th December 2018 This is my maternal grandmother’s recipe that [...]

Santa’s not coming to our house at Christmas

This blog post comes with the massive caveat that anyone reading this can afford to buy their children gifts for Christmas. This is a [...]

New Years Eve Celebrations at Continis

Edinburgh Hogmanay is famous for having the BEST New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world. Lucky for us, our restaurants are [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Cranberry sauce by Carina Contini in the Daily Record Monday 17th December 2018 Never buy a jar of cranberry sauce again. You can make [...]

CARINA IN PRINT – DAILY RECORD

BY CARINA CONTINI FOR DAILY RECORD. IN PRINT MONDAY 10th DECEMBER 2018 Panettone pudding Guaranteed you’ll have some panettone leftover [...]

CARINA IN PRINT – DAILY RECORD

BY CARINA CONTINI FOR DAILY RECORD. IN PRINT MONDAY 3rd DECEMBER 2018 Makes 3 X 500 gr jars Ingredients 1 unwaxed lemon, juice and zest [...]

It’s the season for truffles

We love St Andrew and the fact that Scotland’s patron saint’s heart is buried for posterity in the Cathedral in my favourite [...]

Nonna at 90

It seems like we’ve been celebrating for ever but Nonna’s final 90th birthday took place last week at Cockenzie House with over 60 of [...]

Contini Panettone

CONTINI PANETTONE – IT’S HERE! It has arrived and available for purchase and pick up from Contini George Street. Contini [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

BY CARINA CONTINI FOR DAILY RECORD. IN PRINT MONDAY 26th NOVEMBER 2018 Homemade custard with anything is a treat. A stick of shortbread [...]

The best advice is to listen

I’ve got a great memory for the important things that have happened in my life.  I can remember quite specific details from 20 or 40 [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Cinnamon and Cranberry Scones by Carina Contini Carina Contini for Daily Record. In print Monday 19th November 2018   You will be [...]

Carina in print – November Scots Magazine

In print November 2018   This summer we had a trip to my favourite southern Italian town, Amalfi.  The drive along La Costa [...]

Liberty Wine Tasting at Contini George Street

Liberty Wine Tasting // 14th November // 6pm -8pm Join us at Contini George Street for an exclusive complimentary wine tasting hosted [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Creme Brulee by Carina Contini – in the Scottish Daily Record Monday 12th November 2018 Makes 4 Ingredients: 600ml double cream 1 [...]

Visit Scotland Taste Our Best Accreditation

We are delighted to have yet again passed the Visit Scotland Taste Our Best accreditation at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant. We are [...]

Practice What I Preach!

As far as our business is concerned we make the best sustainable choices we can.  First restaurant in Scotland to be zero waste to [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Delicious Eccles Cakes by Carina Contini – in the Scottish Daily Record Monday 5th November 2018 Serves 12 Ingredients 75g butter [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Easy Ghostly Halloween Cupcakes by Carina Contini in today’s Daily Record 29th October 2018 Serves 12 Basic cupcake recipe [...]

Carina in print – october scotsman

In print Saturday 27th October 2018 October feels like we’re still holding on to summer even though we know it’s long gone. The [...]

Balvenie tasting dinner

BALVENIE WHISKY CANNONBALL HOUSE Wednesday 31st October 2018 7.30pm to 11pm BOOK YOUR TICKET We’re delighted to be joined by Alwynne [...]

Closer to home – say cheese

Yesterday we launched our new season menu at Contini George Street. New dishes include SOFIA – Linguine pasta with crab, fresh [...]

Working with Schools

We were recently delighted to host a local school trip at the Scottish Cafe & Restaurant. The P5/6 and P6 topic this term is [...]

School Holiday Treats at The Scottish Cafe

JOIN US FOR A FUN FILLED OCTOBER HOLIDAY AT THE SCOTTISH CAFE & RESTAURANT The Scottish National Gallery will be hosting a [...]

Brexprest

I’ve spent years of my almost 50 worrying about things that will never happen.   Maybe menopause has brought the wisdom that I’ve been [...]

carina in print – daily record

Carina’s Daily Record recipe this week is the perfect Monday pick me up. In print Monday 8th October 2018 Lemon Syllabub Serves 4 [...]

carina in print – daily record

In print Monday 1st October 2018   Walnut Espresso Cake   Ingredients 140g Unsalted butter, softened 140g Caster sugar 3 free [...]

Carina in print – daily record

Carina’s Daily Record recipe this week is an easy step guide to homemade sausage rolls. In print Monday 24th September 2018 Makes [...]

Carina in print – september scotsman

In print September 2018 If you know me you’ll know I say it as it is!  No fluff just straight to the point. It’s the Scottish [...]

carina in print Daily record

Lemon Posset In print Monday 17th September 2018   Ingredients Makes 6 1 liter double cream Juice of 3 large lemons 275g caster [...]

carina in print – daily record

Carina’s Daily Record recipe this week is a true classic – Easy Quiche Lorraine. In print Monday 10th September 2018 Serves [...]

Erringtons Victory

Victory for injustice but at what price. Firstly we are all so relieved that our dear friends the Erringtons have won their fight to [...]

Edinburgh Festival Summer 2018

Thank you Edinburgh for another wonderful August. Working in hospitality in Edinburgh in August is one of the joys of my job.  The [...]

carina in print – daily record

Every week Carina writes a baking column in the Scottish Daily Record. The below was in print Monday 3rd September 2018 Chocolate & [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

Every week Carina writes a baking column in the Scottish Daily Record. The below was in print Monday 27th August 2018 Cantuccini Makes [...]

WIN RETURN FLIGHTS FOR TWO PEOPLE from Edinburgh airport to Florence

ENTER OUR COMPETITION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS British Airways have kindly given us Euro Traveller  RETURN FLIGHTS FOR TWO [...]

Team Visit to Glengoyne Distillery

The Glengoyne Experience – by Contini George Streets Francesco Dedola In July this year, some of the staff were delighted to be [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

In print Monday 20th August 2018 Ricciarelli by Carina Contini Makes 40 Ingredients 600g ground almonds 450g icing sugar Lemon zest 4 [...]

carina in print – july scots magazine

Published July 2018 The Scottish Car Show is on at Ingliston on 15th July.  As the youngest of 8 children with four older brothers, [...]

carina in print – daily record

Cherry Cannonballs – In Print 13th August Every week Carina writes a baking column for the Daily Record to align with our baking [...]

Contini at the Fringe

Fringe-tastic at Contini Venues this August Wow – we are a few days in to the festival and the teams are getting well in to the [...]

Cannonball House at the Fringe – Unhurried – Glengoyne’s Inefficient Tradition

OUR INVITATION INTO OUR WHISKY WORLD We’re delighted to announce that for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we’re partnering up [...]

RHS Scotland’s Larder Live

Royal Highland Show 2018 Cooking demo RHS Scotland’s Larder Live on Saturday 23rd June It was such a pleasure to be given a cooking [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Pistachio Meringues – In print 16th July The trick with meringues is to add the sugar, slowly, slowly, slowly.  It makes all the [...]

Carina in print – July Scotsman Column

Homegrown – Fruits of your labour – In print Saturday 7th July 2018 Bryony, our Kitchen Gardener is doing an amazing job. [...]

Carina in Print – Daily Record

Nonna Olivia’s Pancakes – In print 9th July Every week Carina writes a baking column for the Daily Record to align with our [...]

Cannonball Restaurant & Bar Summer Opening Hours

Summer is finally here and with that Cannonball Restaurant & Bar Launches its Summer Opening Hours! JULY – OPEN 7 days a week [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

Lavender Truffles  – In print 2nd July Every week Carina writes a baking column for the Daily Record to align with our baking and [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Carina’s weekly baking column in the Daily Record Rhubarb and Fresh Ginger Jam – In print 25th June Ingredients 1 kilo [...]

CARINA IN PRINT – DAILY RECORD

APPLE AND VANILLA CRUMBLE In print 18th June There is nothing that looks better or is more comforting than hot apple crumble with [...]

Award Success for The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant, Edinburgh

PRESS RELEASE The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, has won the top ‘Sustainable Business [...]

Carina in Print – June Scotsman

In print Saturday 9th June Have you noticed how happy everyone is.  This beautiful weather we’ve had is the best medicine.  No wonder [...]

Carina in print – Daily record

Boozy Strawberry Milkshake – In print 11th June Fantastic for a warm summer afternoon to cool down! Ingredients 225g [...]

Success for The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant

Another Award Success for The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant! We are delighted to have won the top ‘Sustainable Business Award’ at the [...]

CARINA IN PRINT – DAILY RECORD

Cinnamon Waffles – in print 4th June 2018 I like my waffles soft, my children like them crispy so whatever you fancy. Serve with [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

In print 28th May 2018 Onion Scones Get organised and be ready to enjoy these hot from the oven.  They really are delicious. 125g [...]

Cannonball Competition in Partnership with RSNO

WIN Royal Scottish National Orchestra TICKETS AND PRE THEATRE SUPPER FOR 4 GUESTS at Cannonball Restaurant & Bar We are a proud [...]

Jay Rayner My Dining Hell Show

A few weeks ago I forced myself to go to the Jay Rayner My Dining Hell show. I sat with my sister in law in excruciating pain.  Why was [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

In print 21st May 2018. Carina’s Daily Record recipe today couldn’t have been better timed for a sunny Bank Holiday Monday! [...]

Carina in print – June Scots Magazine

16 May 2018

A sneaky preview of of Carina’s June 2018 article! When I was little June was always a very special month.  The Cockenzie & Port [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

In print 14th May 2018. Pick up a copy today or enjoy them at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant all this week. This week’s [...]

Storytelling Suppers with Mercat Tours

Scotland’s myths, music and food are served at your table    We have been hosting exciting Scottish storytelling private suppers in [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

In print 7th May 2018. Pick up a copy today or enjoy them at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant all this week. APRICOT & CHOCOLATE [...]

Victor’s Bees

Victor’s Bees By Margaret Forrest When Victor asked me in the spring of last year to help look after his bees at the Scottish Kitchen [...]

We are recruiting and we want you!

TEAM CONTINI Recruitment Open Day – MAY 2018 We are recruiting and we want you! As we approach the summer months and the sun begins to [...]

Everyone Deserves A Safe Working Environment

On 20th April the consultation period closed for a new Bill proposed by Daniel Johnson MSP – Everyone Deserves a Safe Working [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

Carina writes a weekly cake column for the Daily Record. Buy it every Monday or check our blog for the recipe. In addition you can [...]

Carina in print – May Scots Mag 2018

A sneaky preview of of Carina’s May 2018 article! May is our anniversary month. Next year is the big 25 years.  Oh my goodness. I [...]

Contini Awards – The List Eating & Drinking Guide 2018/19

Well done also to our teams – with 2 Hitlists and 4 Tiplistings, we’re very proud of you all. Contini George Street – [...]

Carina in Print – April Scotsman Column

Published in the Scotsman Saturday 14th April 2018 We love our customers. They can visit once a year on a flying festival flurry in [...]

Lufthansa Recommendation

Delighted to have a recommendation from Lufthansa in their in-flight information for Edinburgh. Contini George Street is one of their [...]

Carina in Print – Daily Record

Carina writes a weekly cake column for the Daily Record. Buy it every Monday or check our blog for the recipe. In addition you can [...]

Carina in Print – Daily Record

Carina writes a weekly cake column for the Daily Record. Buy it every Monday or check our blog for the recipe. In addition you can [...]

April FULL

Posted originally on Carina’s LinkedIn page on 1st April but too good not to share with the world! The hospitality industry is [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

Carina writes a weekly cake column for the Daily Record. Buy it every Monday or check our blog for the recipe. In addition you can [...]

Scottish Kitchen Garden March Update

Now that’s a hard days work…..    Bryony, our lovely gardener being helped by Ronnie and Victor to mulch the beds.  We [...]

Celebrate Easter with Contini

What’s your favourite – Chicken, lamb or pork?  We will be serving mouthwatering Sunday roasts at £17 per person on Sunday [...]

Carina in Print – March Scotsman Column

Published in the Scotsman Saturday 17th March 2018 Life is full of surprises.  You think the first day of Spring is upon us and the [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

Carina writes a weekly cake column for the Daily Record. Buy it every Monday or check our blog for the recipe. In addition you can [...]

Would you be embarrassed to ask a restaurant for a doggy bag?

Delighted to be featured in Cate Devine’s Herald piece about food waste and doggy bags. Online article 14th March 2018 ARE you [...]

Vibes Awards – The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant

Another Award for The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant The Scottish Cafe was asked to participate as part of a panel discussion with [...]

Carina in print – Daily Record

Carina writes a weekly cake column for the Daily Record. Buy it every Monday or check our blog for the recipe. In addition you can [...]

International Women’s Day

Some of the challenges of being a woman in business I’m a female director in a male dominated industry.  I started my life as the [...]

It’s SNOW fun

Snow for our family is skiing in the Val D’Aosta up in the northern mountains of Italy.  Crisp fresh air, leisurely exercise, a little [...]

Mothering Sunday

You’re never too old to need your mum! Let her know she’s loved and treat your mum on Mothering Sunday.  With three [...]

Whisky Afternoon Tea at Cannonball House

The perfect afternoon treat to sample Scotland’s national dish and tipple together with our favourite sweet treat and a refreshing cup [...]

Private Dining at Cannonball House

There are very few venues that can boast a location as iconic as Cannonball House on Castlehill, directly next to Edinburgh Castle. We [...]

CARINA IN PRINT – FEBRUARY SCOTSMAN COLUMN

Read her full article published 17th February in the Scotsman Magazine   I visited Blackpool in January. Carla was dancing along [...]

Slow Food Big Table at Contini George Street

We are delighted to be hosting the next Slow Food – Big Table on Monday 5th March   A first chance to discover the regional [...]

Private Dining at Contini George Street

We would be delighted to welcome you and your guests to our exclusive private dining room, perfectly located at 103 George Street, in [...]

Slow Food Farmers Market

There are very few things that would get me out of bed on a very dreach Saturday morning at the start of February other than a [...]

Six Nations Rugby

5 February 2018

We are very excited about the Scotland vs France game at Murrayfield this weekend and are crossing everything we have for our boys! [...]

Carina in print – January Scotsman Column

Grains of truth Cutting down on sugars and carbs is easier than cutting out –and more realistic in the long-term, says Carina Contini [...]

Independent is best

Independent is Best?  Oh yes they are! This year I took a little more time off at Christmas than I have ever done before.  I worked [...]

Carina in Print – Scots Mag January 2018

A sneaky preview of of Carina’s January 2018 article! Hands up who eat too much in December.  Every year we say we’ll resist, [...]

Words of Wisdom from Stephen Jardine

A great piece by Stephen Jardine, detailing the struggle privately owned restaurants are facing. Restaurants that buy locally under [...]

Scottish Licensed Trade News – Interview with Carina Contini

Read Carina’s interview for Scottish Licence Trade below Chef’s Special: Carina Contini Director of Contini restaurants POSTED [...]

Slow Food Climate Pledge

In 1934 at the height of the Dust Bowl, a massive storm swept through the Great Plains, lifting thousands of tons of topsoil into the [...]

Hogmanay Party Show-Stopper – Cook Carina’s Festive Trifle

Scotland has one special claim to fame at this time of year and that’s Hogmanay. The restaurants are open on 31 December and Victor [...]

Christmas Gift Ideas With Contini

Still looking for gifts this festive season? Don’t panic, we can offer a helping hand! Discover the full range of stunning gift options [...]

Bellavista – official wine of Teatro alla Scala’s Opera Première!

Congratulations to our Contini George Street partner – Bellavista. Once again they are the official wine of Teatro alla Scala’s [...]

Contini Christmas Traditions – Keeping it local

I love tradition.  Is it inherited from our migrant background as anchor in time or is it family ties that holds a thread from one [...]

Carina in Print – Scotsman Recipe November 2017

November is always a tough month.  Darker, cooler and always a little harder to motivate the children to get out of the house on time [...]

Slow Food – Terra Madre Day 10th December

Terra Madre Day is Slow Food’s annual day to promote the diversity of food traditions and production, and show how their network is [...]

Win Tickets to see The Nutcracker and Dinner for Two at Cannonball Restaurant

For many years we have been proud supporters of the Scottish Ballet – Scotland’s national dance company who have been showcasing [...]

Black Friday Contini Offer – One For Me – One For You

We’ve got a super special treat for you this Black Friday! For one day only we will be offering buy one get one free on our gift [...]

Carina in Print – Scots Mag December 2017

Scots Magazine December 2017 – Out in Shops Now! We got a new cleaner in September.  You may ask what has this to do with [...]

I never thought a German car would change our lives

Last month my fourth child, (no not Victor) my fabulous yellow Fiat – known in the family as Luigi, who was loved and cherished [...]

Mens 10K Run Edinburgh

Good luck to all you lovely people who are taking part of the run on Sunday! Load up at Contini George Street before the race and try [...]

RECRUITMENT CRISIS IN HOSPITALITY a self inflicted problem

We were delighted to be shortlisted for the VIBE Sustainability Awards 2017 with the winners to be announced later this month. Part of [...]

Halloween Pumpkin & Pear Soup

Pumpkin & pear soup with onion scones Pear in soup? It makes a really light, fresh addition to this hearty, earthy autumn dish [...]

New Menu Contini George Street

Delighted to have launched our new season menu at Contini George Street today. Fantastic dishes, bursting with flavour, perfect for [...]

World Pasta Day 25th October 2017

As you can imagine we are BIG in to #WorldPastaDay – It is truly our religion and we’d like to think we’ve got the [...]

Scottish Veg Summit 24th October

Carina was delighted to be invited to be on the panel for The Scottish Veg Summit held at The Royal Botanics in Edinburgh on 24th [...]

A Spectacular Christmas at The Scottish Cafe

Get into the Christmas spirit with The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant         “A spectacular Christmas for the whole [...]

Carina in Print – Scots Mag November 2017

Recipe extract from Carina’s Scots Magazine Column. Full article out in shops now. courgette & lanark blue soufflés What [...]

Best Ways to Cook Scottish Lamb

Carina is featured in today’s The List Magazine’s article together with Tom Kitchin, Dominic Jack and Fred Berkmiller. They [...]

Carina in Print: Autumnal Dishes in The Scotsman 2017

30 September 2017

Carina is a regular contributor to The Scotsman magazine. Last month she created some delicious, belly-warming Autumnal dishes, perfect [...]

Carina in Print – Rose Crema Cotta – Scotsman Magazine September 2017

Taken from Carina’s Scotsman Magazine column 30th September 2017. Out in shops now! Rose Crema Cotta   This recipe is [...]

Book a Booth!

Book a Booth at Contini George Street!      Enjoy the perfect night out with friends and family and book one of our popular booths [...]

WIN TICKETS TO THE FINAL WEEKEND OF CARAVAGGIO

Win two tickets to the final weekend of “Beyond Caravaggio” at The Scottish National Gallery. Don’t miss the final [...]

Congratulations Laura!

Huge Congratulations and a big thank you to Laura Nogales who has won the staff competition and worked tirelessly during a VERY busy [...]

New Menu at Contini George Street

Delighted to be launching our new Contini George Street menu with lots of delicious treats. Chefs Suzanne, Marcin and Sarah have [...]

An Immigrant’s journey 100 years later

As you may know, Carina was flattered to be asked to talk in the Piccolo tent at the Edinburgh Food Festival in George Square Gardens [...]

One-Off Whisky Theatre – Moonshine, Medicine and The Mob by the whisky anorak

Special one off event hosted by The Whisky Anorak in the private dinging room at Cannonball House  Thursday 24th August at 6.15pm Be [...]

The Scottish Cafe Finalist at Vibes Awards 2017

NOMINATED We are thrilled for The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant to be recognised by VIBES Awards 2017 and to be a Finalist in the [...]

Fancy a day out of Edinburgh…

11 August 2017

Then support these lovely people championing a great story……. AUGUST FESTIVAL DINNER SERIES BY THE FREE COMPANY This [...]

CARINA IN PRINT: Tastes of the Season

Carina shares a love of Spanish cuisine and her recipe for a summery gazpacho soup in her latest column for The Scots Magazine, out [...]

The Edinburgh Food Festival – Carina’s Story

The Edinburgh Food Festival – Carina’s Story Last week our fabulous senior head chef Marcin and fellow member of the Slow [...]

Carina in Print: August Scots Magazine column

Carina writes a monthly column each month for Scots Magazine, a monthly publication packed with entertaining and informative features [...]

Carina in Print: The Scotsman magazine, July 2017

Carina is a regular contributor to The Scotsman magazine. In her latest column, for July, she gave away some of the secrets of a very [...]

Glengoyne Whisky Suppers at Cannonball

  For the second year running we are delighted to be hosting another fantastic run of whisky tasting events in our Royal Mile [...]

Congratulations Team

Our lovely Boti at the Scottish Cafe turned 30 last week! Happy birthday Boti! AND Paul’s team WON Scottish Under 25’s in [...]

Coffee & Coconut Cake

This delicious alternative to coffee and walnut cake is a long-standing favourite on the Scottish Cafe’s afternoon tea menu, which can [...]

CARINA IN PRINT: THE SCOTSMAN MAGAZINE, JUNE 2017

Carina is a regular contributor to The Scotsman magazine, and her latest column, for June, talked about Victor’s love of bees, [...]

5000 Scones

  We’ve all heard and love the Proclaimers song and we absolutely love dearest Olivia Giles’s 500 Miles Charity to help [...]

Carina in Print: July Scots magazine

Carina writes a monthly column each month for Scots Magazine, a monthly publication packed with entertaining and informative features [...]

June Newsletter

16th June 2017 Energized I always feel like superman when the sun comes out, I know most of us do.  Everyone’s energy tops the scale. [...]

Delighted to introduce Nyetimber at Cannonball House

Cannonball Restaurant & Bar are delighted to introduce Nyetimber, England’s leading producer of world class sparkling wines to our [...]

New Summer Menus at Cannonball!

1 June 2017

Introducing our new summer menus at Cannonball Restaurant & Bar. Using the very best Scottish ingredients, including loads from our [...]

Whisky & Mhor

It’s been a busy few weeks for events, and we’ve been working our socks off. On World Whisky Day (Saturday 20 May) we were delighted to [...]

We need our artisan producers

  Those of you who are regular readers of our blog – and visitors to our restaurants – will know that we are hugely passionate [...]

Your local economy needs you

For my 6th birthday I was Doctor Carina.  My nurses uniform and little doctors case, which was a tiny white tin with it’s tiny red [...]

Pasta pomodorini

Pasta Pomodorini   We make homemade pasta every morning at Contini George St. We use trifoliate in the restaurant which is a small [...]

Carina in Print: The Scotsman magazine

Carina is delighted to be a regular contributor to The Scotsman magazine, and her latest column, for May, pondered the role of the [...]

Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards

Last week I was delighted to be asked by Scotland Food & Drink as one of their chef Ambassadors to attend the annual Excellence [...]

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Mike in our events team! He has been chosen as our employee of the month! Mike has been with us for since January [...]

Cannonball toasts World Whisky Day with Glengoyne event

What better way to spend the day than sampling the finest single malts on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile For all you lovers of [...]

The Bellavista Room is Unveiled

We were delighted to launch our new private dining space, The Bellavista room, recently. Some of our favourite foodies joined us for a [...]

Carina’s Scottish Field “Chef’s Choice”

Carina’s Chef’s Choice Column in this months Scottish Field 

Shelley Shares Blog Contini George Street

A lovely write up by an Edinburgh Blogger…   Contini had a little ‘face-lift’ earlier this year and I must say it’s looking [...]

Carina in print: The Scotsman magazine

Carina is delighted to be a regular contributor to The Scotsman magazine, and her latest column, for April, was about all things [...]

Slow Food UK – Our Chef Emma Mills Story

Read the article on the Slow Food Website here Chef Emma Mills first began her career in 2011 at Appetite Direct as a kitchen porter [...]

Carina’s latest Scots Magazine column

Carina writes a monthly column each month for Scots Magazine, a monthly publication packed with entertaining and informative features [...]

Spring in the Scottish Kitchen Garden

The carrots, beetroot and leeks that were planted at the end of autumn are looking good and will prove to be a fruitful harvest in the [...]

New Spring Pasta Dishes at Contini George Street

Well spring is here and we’ve added a lovely new selection of fresh pasta dishes to the menu at Contini George St.  We’re serving them [...]

Edinburgh Gin Team Visit

Gin. What is that? Some sort of magic spell? A secret potion? Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavor from juniper [...]

CONTINI GEORGE STREET HITLISTED!

Delighted to announce that Contini George Street was HITLISTED in the Italian section of the List Eating & Drinking Guide 2017. The [...]

THE SCOTTISH CAFE HITLISTED!

Delighted to announce that The Scottish Cafe was HITLISTED in the Art Venue section of the List Eating & Drinking Guide 2017.  In [...]

Verre de Vin

Verre de Vin Creating a wine list is always an exciting part of creating menus in restaurants, albeit a difficult task, but as all [...]

Carina Recommends

Dear Friends Both my husband and I love to travel and we get so much inspiration from our trips to anywhere we can manage to escape to [...]

Caledonian Brewery Team Visit

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant team recently had an amazing opportunity to have an experience at the Caledonian Brewery. A chance [...]

Scottish Stout Stew

A hearty stew that makes you think of crisp, cold days up in the Highlands of Scotland and all the comfort you’ll need to get you [...]

Cooking LIVE on NBC

Monday 13th March will go down in my memories as one of the craziest days of my life! What are the chances of being asked by NBC Today [...]

Contini in the press

As you may have spotted, Carina has regular monthly recipe columns in The Scotsman magazine and The Scots magazine. Recently [...]

Haddock Fish Cakes


I love homemade fish cakes at this time of year. They take some effort to make but they are totally worth it. Ingredients Serves 4 500g [...]

Fennel and Orange Salad

I love raw salads.  Vegetables become fun when you enjoy them as nature gifted them to us, fresh at their best.  Hope you like this [...]

Coda di bue – Oxtail Sugo

Oxtail sugo is something Victor’s mother cooked for high days and holidays as it took so long.  Oxtail is an ingredient you’ll [...]

Mother’s Day

MOTHER’S DAY AT CONTINI RESTAURANTS Mum’s the World – Sunday 26th March Book lunch or dinner at any of our venues and mum will get a [...]

AN ENORMOUS THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR FANTASTIC CUSTOMERS

6 March 2017

An enormous thank you to YOU! You are fantastic.  Thank you from the bottom of my oldest and dearest sugo pot, from Victor’s heart [...]

Contini George Street Restaurant Review 10/10 Sunday Herald

20 February 2017

As a girl of the 70’s I’ve dreamt of being Nadia Comaneci. That perfect 10. Victor on the other hand has always been an [...]

Save Monarch of the Glen

19 February 2017

The Monarch of the Glen by Sir Edwin Landseer is one of the most famous paintings of the nineteenth century. For many people around the [...]

Save the soil

Each passing minute, the soil is assaulted, suffocated, contaminated, exploited, poisoned, mistreated, and depleted. In Europe, there [...]

Exciting New Changes for Contini George Street

This week we are starting a very new, and very exciting, journey for our beautiful Italian Restaurant on George Street. Over the next [...]

New trends and old favourites

You may have noticed that there are some changes happening at Contini George Street. It’s a very exciting, and busy, time for Victor [...]

Friends Card – January Offer

JANUARY FRIENDS OFFER Valid 3rd to 31st Janury 2017 Complimentary bottle of wine for you to take home when you spend £60 for two people [...]

One for all, and all for one

Why our tips are pooled and shared equally with all of our team – It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and, if you work in [...]

Connect Local launched at The Scottish Cafe

7 December 2016

No one is more passionate about using the very best Scottish produce than the Contini team, which is why I was truly delighted to [...]

A Lazy Traveller’s Guide to Breakfast

6 December 2016

International travel blog The Culture Trip recently compiled “A Lazy Traveller’s Guide To Edinburgh”, highlighting [...]

Roast leg of lamb

This time of year is when the good old Sunday roast really comes into its own. In our house there is simply no argument, lamb wins [...]

Christmas Yum Yum Pudding

I love Christmas. I think it stems from the two days of the year that my parents closed the cafes. My seven brothers and sisters, [...]

Edinburgh’s Hidden Gems

29 November 2016

When you’re visiting Edinburgh, the choice of historic attractions, galleries and dining experiences can be a little [...]

Autumnal Vibes & Preparing for Christmas

GIFT VOUCHERS If you are looking for an alternative present for Christmas, birthdays or any anniversaries, a Contini gift voucher is [...]

Glengoyne Chocolate Pot

7 October 2016

Now we can’t have a bar with over 120 whiskies without a dessert using a wee dram in one of Carina’s favourite recipes. Serves 4 [...]

Pumpkin Dumplings with Sage and Almond Butter

19 September 2016

There is nothing more comforting to me than a dumpling. Even the word gives me a warm feeling inside. These little beauties may look [...]

Christmas Fizz offer

25 October 2016

Get into the Festive spirit with Contini… From 4th until 21st December, we’ll give you a complimentary bottle of Prosecco [...]

October bubbles

29 September 2016

Throughout the month of October you can enjoy a complimentary glass of Prosecco for all adults at your table when you book online for [...]

How summer treated our Contini Kitchen Garden

21 September 2016

The summer season was so successful for us in the Kitchen Garden that we have changed our strategy slightly with what we are growing so [...]

Sugo Di Salsiccia with Pasta al Forno

16 August 2016

This is a staple in our family. Double up the recipe and freeze for a late supper. This is a very traditional recipe with no garlic or [...]

Celery, Gooseberry and Smoked Mackerel Salad

2 July 2016

Now, as much as I enjoy a sweet treat, something savoury to start is always advisable! There is nothing better, or more summery, than a [...]

Strawberries with Black Pepper and Vincotto

11 June 2016

If you have a bottle of vincotto or an aged balsamic vinegar then this delicious summer treat will help you use it up! Serves 3 or 4 [...]

New Potato and White Onion Omlette

26 May 2016

Choose a variety of potato that is quite waxy so they keep their shape when cooked. If they are new potatoes, I like to leave the skins [...]

Glengoyne Whisky Chocolate Pots

7 April 2016

Now we can’t have a bar with over 120 whiskies without a dessert using a wee dram or two! As a chocoholic, this is one of my favourite [...]

Carla’s Coconut Cupcakes

21 March 2016

Carla loves making cupcakes and these are so easy and quick. We often use fresh coconut instead of desiccated as it really does taste [...]

Kale and Hake Pie

12 February 2016

Hake is a great, sustainable local-waters fish and it’s hard to beat on quality or price. The rich flakiness  of the flesh is [...]

A round of applause for Chef Marcin

7 September 2016

Everyone at Contini was delighted to hear that our Senior Head Chef, Marcin, had been invited to join the Chef Alliance last month.  [...]

‘Experience Southern Italy and Beyond’ between 5th – 9th September 2016

2 September 2016

The Italian Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with IS.NA.R.T. and Unioncamere, and with support of the Italian Ministry of Cultural [...]

Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight 2016

31 August 2016

After a full year of celebrations with our Year of Food and Drink in 2015, Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight returns again in [...]

Italian Earthquake Appeal

29 August 2016

Like all of us, Victor and I were stunned and saddened to hear of the devastating earthquake which hit central Italy on Wednesday [...]

Our Inspiring Edinburgh, we love you!

12 August 2016

The Festival is here – my favourite time of year! The Scottish Cafe always kicks off first with its annual blockbuster exhibition [...]

Menabrea with Contini pop-up on George Street

12 August 2016

Those looking for the most authentic Italian experience of the Edinburgh Festival are in for a treat this August with our amazing new [...]

Harvest time at the Contini Kitchen Garden

2 August 2016

Yesterday was an adventure. The universe had aligned in our favour – all three children, my mother and Victor and I got through a [...]

Team Contini on tour to Glengoyne

26 July 2016

Nestled into the beautiful Scottish countryside in Dumgoyne, just north of Glasgow, is the long running Glengoyne Distillery. Located [...]

Claim your Contini Friends July offer before it’s too late…

20 July 2016

If you’re a member of the Contini Friends loyalty scheme then you’re eligible for our July offer. Don’t worry if [...]

Carina’s mothering mishaps

4 July 2016

On Sunday I had a revelation and boy it hit me like a tonne of bricks.  I work Monday to Friday but am always wired to my mobile phone [...]

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant listed on Food Made Good

30 June 2016

Following our commendation in the recent report by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA), The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant has [...]

Carina to host cookery demonstration at Cockenzie House & Gardens

23 June 2016

Carina will be hosting a very special cookery demonstration at Cockenzie House & Gardens tomorrow night from 7pm. She will be [...]

Festa Festa Festa!

14 June 2016

Who remembers their first Gala Day? Cockenzie and Port Seton galas were always special for our family when we were little. The flags [...]

We did it! Welcome to the all-new Cannonball Restaurant & Bar

8 June 2016

I love it when a plan comes together and what a plan we’ve been working on over the last few months! Cannonball Restaurant & Bar is [...]

How to complain in a restaurant, according to Carina

3 June 2016

Yesterday I was asked to contribute on BBC Kitchen Cafe with food critic Jonathan Trew.   It was fascinating. Several visitors to an [...]

The art of foraging

30 May 2016

In the latest Contini blog, Claire, our lovely Chef de Partie at Cannonball Restaurant, tells us all about why she just loves foraging. [...]

Make Carina’s a Cosmo

19 May 2016

It’s grey skies at the moment but all the beautiful weather over the last few weeks has put me in the mood for a cocktail. Our bar [...]

Festa Della Repubblica

15 May 2016

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 [...]

Spreading the word about our rare breeds

12 May 2016

Wow Monday night was a busy one! I love being a member of the Slow Food Chef’s Alliance and we regularly host Slow Food Edinburgh Big [...]

Sunshine food with the family

10 May 2016

At the weekend we enjoyed lunch in the garden for the first time this year. Can’t quite believe how beautiful it was. I’d prepared my [...]

Meet Max, our Master Mixologist

15 April 2016

It’s nearly the weekend! Have you got that Friday Feeling? It’s time to relax and Max, our mixologist, is on hand to help.  [...]

Cooking in the community

4 April 2016

Last week I hosted a cookery demo at Glencorse Community Centre, a brand new building with enviable facilities, opened in 2014 at [...]

Sugar drinks tax? This isn’t enough to tackle our sugar addiction, says Carina.

21 March 2016

Well Mr Osborne has announced a sugar drinks tax in his budget. Certainly a surprise, nobody was expecting that one. Some people are [...]

Celebrating women in the kitchen

15 March 2016

Last week we celebrated International Women’s Day. I only just found out that there is also an International Men’s Day (November 19th [...]

All hail National Pie Week

9 March 2016

It’s like Christmas and birthday’s have all rolled into one. It’s National Pie Week! The whole family is fond of a [...]

Keeping it in the family

29 February 2016

Our latest Contini blog is from Carina’s niece Sofia Di Ciacca, who helps run the family olive oil farm in Picinisco. The olive oil [...]

At Contini, we live and breath #ScotSpirit

24 February 2016

Easter is early this year so we’re looking forward to the start of the 2016 Edinburgh tourist season even sooner than usual. Victor and [...]

Forget skiing in The Dolomites, it’s the food I go for…

12 February 2016

If you’re a skier then I’m sure February means heading to the mountains to hit the slopes. Recent reports are saying Glencoe has had a [...]

The Scottish Kitchen Garden: 2015 in review

10 February 2016

Hello from The Scottish Kitchen Garden. Head Gardener Kerry here. I can’t quite believe we’re into February already. So I thought, [...]

Leading by example is the best way to tackle our sugar habit

5 February 2016

My name is Carina and I’m a sugarholic. I love ice cream, shortbread and a Friday movie night with a box of chocolates. Now this [...]

Bowled Over – Soup & Selkirk Bannock

23 January 2016

Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit. I’ve never [...]

Celebrating Burns

26 January 2016

We’ve just received this lovely blog about our Burns supper. Thank you much Tuggy Tucks. For the last 6 years we’ve been hosting [...]

Small but beautifully formed

12 January 2016

Come and see our tapestry showcase! Our stunning Bute fabric wall in The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant will be transformed between [...]

Edinburgh Food Trail – Contini Ristorante and Cannonball House

9 December 2015

2015 had been a fun packed full on year! So many exciting new partnerships. One of our favourites was working with Edinburgh World [...]

New season olive oil tasting

8 December 2015

This year we were thrilled to host the Liberty Wines new season olive oil tasting. Nine olive oils tasted neat! This is a challenge for [...]

Giving back to Edinburgh Libraries

26 November 2015

Victor and I feel so lucky to live and work in Edinburgh. We have one of the worlds most beautiful cities at literally under our feet!  [...]

Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil

21 November 2015

Our award winning, single estate extra virgin olive oil is produced from olives grown in Picinisco itself. We are so excited  to share [...]

Cannonball Restaurant wins Thistle Award!

13 November 2015

We are thrilled to bits to announce that Cannonball Restaurant won ‘Best Restaurant Experience’ South East Scotland at [...]

Carina’s Kedgeree

2 November 2015

At the beginning of the month we hosted a Friends of the National Gallery event at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant, centred around [...]

Brilliant review for ‘Cook with Carina’ event

10 November 2015

We received some wonderful feedback from our first ‘Cook with Carina’ event. It was a huge success and Carina is really [...]

Cannonball Restaurant shortlisted for a Thistle Award!

9 November 2015

We are thrilled that Cannonball Restaurant has been shortlisted as regional finalist in the Visit Scotland Thistle Awards 2015. Because [...]

Romantic Halloween at Cannonball Restaurant

29 October 2015

Join us for a romantic Hallowe’en dining experience this Saturday as we dine by candlelight at 9.00pm and 9.30pm sittings. Enjoy [...]

COOK WITH CARINA!

26 October 2015

Christmas is the biggest feast of the year and as the countdown begins, Carina’s here to help with four 90 minute masterclasses [...]

Oyster shucking at Cannonball House

26 October 2015

Joins us at Cannonball House on Saturday 31st October 11.00am – 2.00pm Stevie, our wonderful fish supplier of Fish Brothers is [...]

Contini gift vouchers at a special price!

26 October 2015

The perfect Christmas gift for friends, colleagues and family who love good food and deserve to be spoiled this festive season. We are [...]

Scone Spy: Scottish baking this good is my idea of culture!

14 October 2015

Oh how exciting! We all knew there was a James Bond. But we’d no idea there was a James Scone! Sunday Posts Scone Spy has been in [...]

Recruitment Open Morning at Victor & Carina Contini, Edinburgh

6 October 2015

Friday 9th October at 9.00am – 12 noon We’ve a few front of house roles remaining, so if you love great food and care about [...]

EDINBURGH RESTAURANT FESTIVAL

30 September 2015

Edinburgh Restaurant Festival is back for its second year, and at the Contini Family of restaurants we are delighted to be taking part. [...]

CARINA TALKS AT THE PORTOBELLO BOOK FESTIVAL

29 September 2015

Carina Contini talks at The Portobello Book Festival this weekend, about the influences and philosophy behind the development of her [...]

Recruitment Open Morning at Victor & Carina Contini, Edinburgh

29 September 2015

Friday 2nd October at 9.00am – 12 noon If you love great food and care about how it’s is prepared and are passionate about [...]

Three wonderful venues, one magical Christmas

16 September 2015

  From intimate festive receptions with canapes in our private dining room at Contini Ristorante on George Street, to large [...]

Cannonball Restaurant now open 7 days!

14 September 2015

Cannonball Restaurant, Victor & Carina Contini’s newest addition to the family is now open 7 days (Sunday lunch 12-5pm) Join [...]

EDINBURGH DOORS OPEN DAY – 25TH ANNIVERSARY

14 September 2015

Discover Contini Restaurants during Doors Open Day 2015 – 26th-27th September We are passionate about preserving our heritage and feel [...]

We love Mr Apple!

10 September 2015

 What a fantastic article in The Herald recently about our dear friend Graham, affectionately known as Mr Apple! Collaboration at [...]

**** Four Star reviews for History of Porridge ****

25 August 2015

★★★★ ‘Fascinating and filling! So well presented I could have happily stayed another hour to listen to more. And the selection of [...]

Scottish Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake

21 August 2015

Sometimes only Carina’s Scottish Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake will do! Ingredients (Serves 1) 225g [...]

History of Porridge – The perfect start to 24 hours at Edinburgh Festival

19 August 2015

#24HoursInEdinburgh  We were delighted when we received this request from BBC journalist Becca Bryers: “I’m producing a series of [...]

FESTIVAL FEVER!

6 August 2015

From our Fringe events, including the History of Porridge and exclusive Gallery Suppers to Dinner whilst enjoying a live webcast of the [...]

Lifting the Lid – Exhibition at National Library of Scotland

3 August 2015

Lifting the Lid – Uncovering 400 years of Food & Drink in Scotland Free Exhibition We delighted to be working with NLS in [...]

Carina’s seasonal syllabub

18 July 2015

Strawberry, Honey and Pickering’s Gin syllabub Serves 4 300g fresh strawberries, hulls removed, washed and dried (reserve 4 with [...]

History of Porridge

16 July 2015

Porridge is our national breakfast dish. Learn the history and taste what we think is Scotland’s best porridge. We are excited to be [...]

Cate Devine article on Food fraud

6 July 2015

Last week The Herald published a brilliant piece by food writer and critic Cafe Devine on food fraud.  It’s amazing what can be [...]

Chef Emma represents Contini at The Highland Show

22 June 2015

Chef Emma Mills, Senior Sous Chef at Cannonball Restaurant enjoyed her time on the stage at the Cookery Theatre at The Royal Highland [...]

Charlie Reid talks about Hibs and HSL at Ristorante

22 June 2015

Charlie Reid visited Contini Ristorante this week, taking time out from the Proclaimers nationwide tour to talk about Hibs and HSL. [...]

Celebrating Edinburgh Farmers’ Market’s 15th Anniversary

23 June 2015

What a fabulous day we had celebrating Edinburgh Farmers’ Market‘s 15th Anniversary. Huge congratulations to Edinburgh [...]

Carina’s July column in The Scots Magazine

25 June 2015

Carina writes a monthly column each month for Scots Magazine. The Scots Magazine is a monthly publication packed with entertaining and [...]

TWO COURSES FOR £10

17 June 2015

As we showcase our abundant and delicious summer produce from Scotland and Italy and from our own kitchen garden, we’re [...]

Carina joins fabulous line up at The Borders Book Festival

10 June 2015

On Saturday 13th June, Carina is joining an exciting line up of highly respected ladies within the food & hospitality industry. In [...]

Success at The List Eating & Drinking Awards with Four Awards!

22 April 2015

We are beyond delighted! We scooped four awards in The List’s 2015/16 Eating & Drinking Awards. Our newest restaurant [...]

Contini features as a leader in Sustainability

15 May 2015

We were approached by OpenTable to take part in a feature they produced for their blog recently, ’12 Ways to Make Your Restaurant [...]

Contini Restaurants on Edinburgh’s first Heritage Food Trail

26 May 2015

The Edinburgh Food Heritage Trail launched today, revealing some of the hidden links between the City’s unique built heritage and [...]

Recipes from The Lost Supper STV 15 May 2015

5 May 2015

Due to very popular demand further to Carina’s recent appearance on The Lost Supper, screened on ITV on 04 May 2015, here are the [...]

Celebrate Easter Contini style

1 April 2015

We’ve not just got a spring in our step, we’ve got springs in our steps! So much going on with us, and we’re feeling [...]

Live oyster shucking with Stevie Fish – Saturday 28th March 1.00-3.00pm

27 March 2015

Join us tomorrow at Contini Cannonball, Royal Mile on Saturday afternoon between 1.00-3.00pm when Stevie will be shucking oysters for [...]

Mothering Sunday this Sunday – let us spoil your Mum!

11 March 2015

With Mothering Sunday fast approaching, let us help you make it a day to remember. Each of our stunning locations is perfectly suited [...]

Victor’s done it! Well done everyone

10 March 2015

We’re SO proud of our Arctic Trek team – yesterday after 3 grueling days they finished their 100km. The first day saw [...]

Carlo Petrini challenged us to embark upon a revolution of joy

2 March 2015

We feel very honoured to have hosted part of Carlo Petrini, founder of The Slow Food Movement’s visit to Scotland. Recognised as one of [...]

6 NATIONS IN EDINBURGH

15 February 2015

From Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile to Princes Street Gardens and George Street, Victor & Carina Contini offer you three [...]

VICTOR’S ARCTIC DINNER

13 February 2015

What an incredible night we had on Friday 6th February! We are truly overwhelmed with the support we received for Victor’s Arctic [...]

The best view in the City for St Valentine’s – it’s a lottery at Cannonball!

9 February 2015

Cannonball restaurant at the top of the Royal Mile has a window table with perfect views of neighbouring Edinburgh Castle. It is always [...]

Time to thrive – Wild Garlic

8 February 2015

“Spent the morning clearing the woodland edge here at The Scottish Kitchen Garden – now ready for emerging wild garlic to [...]

Celebrating Year of Food & Drink Scotland 2015

7 February 2015

At The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant we are so proud to celebrate our local artisan suppliers every single day of the year. This [...]

Gelato and prosecco with local food bloggers

6 February 2015

Last week we were thrilled to host the first Yelp Elite event for 2015 at Contini Caffe and Gelateria. Guests were treated to bespoke [...]

Only 4 weeks to go for Victor!…

5 February 2015

We’re close to the 4 week mark before Victor heads off on the 5th March to the freezing temperatures of Finland to walk 100km to [...]

An Abundant and Precious Larder

4 February 2015

In Carina’s latest article published in February’s Scots Magazine she notes that unbelievably, we import more fish than we [...]

A Little Treat – Moderate portions for a healthy January

25 January 2015

Carina’s article in this weekend’s Scotsman is full of delicious recipes to help moderate your portions during January, [...]

Burns Night 2015

25 January 2015

Some hae meat an canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae let the Lord be thankit. – [...]

Cannonball Listed by The Telegraph

24 January 2015

After opening our doors only four months ago we are extremely proud to be included in The Telegraphs City Guide of Edinburgh [...]

A familiar, new face at Cannonball

22 January 2015

We are delighted to welcome a very exciting addition to the team at Cannonball House – Dugald McGarry has braved the wind and the [...]

Valentine’s Delights

23 January 2015

  All you need is love. But a little chocolate doesn’t hurt…   Savour a taste of romance with your valentine at Contini [...]

Year of Food & Drink Scotland 2015 – Roe Deer Recipe

20 January 2015

The roe deer is the Monarch of the Glen. It’s also the food of kings so it’s not cheap but rather a treat for that special occasion. [...]

January in Our Scottish Kitchen Garden

15 January 2015

What a windy day, but Kerry our Head Garden at Casa San Lorenzo, our Kitchen Garden and Jess her budding new apprentice are hard at [...]

OpenTable Diners’ Choice Awards

7 January 2015

A total of 9 OpenTable Diners’ Choice Awards – we are thrilled, Grazie Mille! In addition to The Scottish Cafe and Contini [...]

Cannonball, “beautiful food experience”

4 January 2015

Another lovely review from the lovely Edinburgh Food Girl, Thank you! Beautifully written and we’re so pleased you enjoyed [...]

Buon Anno from Contini Edinburgh!

3 January 2015

Thank you to The Big Dinner for joining us for our big dinner – our Italian feast to whet your appetite and to get you thinking [...]

A wee new year holiday

1 January 2015

Happy New Year to all our lovely customers, friends and family! Wishing you all good health for 2015. Our Cannonball team will be on [...]

OpenTable Diners’ Choice: Best Scottish Restaurants

31 December 2014

Thank you to all the lovely diners who voted both The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant and Contini Cannonball into OpenTable’s list [...]

Scotsman review: Contini Cannonball 9/10

28 December 2014

We are thrilled! Contini Cannonball received a 9/10 in this Sunday’s Scotsman! Our newest restaurant is located at the top of [...]

Carina makes The List’s top 100!

11 December 2014

Congratulations! Carina is on The List Magazine’s top 100 cultural contributors of 2014. “After ten years on the scene, [...]

History of Castlehill

9 December 2014

We love Cannonball House. It is filled with history, and we’re proud to be a part of it. The Scotsman have recently published an [...]

Best cookbooks for Christmas presents!

8 December 2014

We are thrilled to feature in The Telegraph’s list of the ten Best cookbooks for Christmas presents! Carina’s Kitchen Garden [...]

Contini Events – Lyon & Turnbull

3 December 2014

We were delighted to be asked to provide the catering for a wonderful event with The Scottish Ballet and Lyon & Turnbull! The event [...]

Daily Record Recipe – Shin of Beef in Gold Ale

Check out Carina’s recipe of Shin of Beef in Gold Ale – a fantastic recipe from her Kitchen Garden Cookbook. If you decide [...]

Battle of the Spirits – Nonino vs Tamdhu

1 December 2014

We can’t believe it has been 1 year since the fantastic Nonino and Tamdhu tasting at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant. What an [...]

Christmas Gifts 2014

28 November 2014

We have the perfect gift ready for you and your loved ones! Please give us a call at 0131 225 1550 to order your gift or visit our [...]

Cannonball – Winner of Opentable Diner’s Choice Award

28 November 2014

We’re delighted that Cannonball has been selected by OpenTable diners as one of the best in the area! Thank you to all of our [...]

Cannonball rated as ‘Top 5 Historic Places to Dine in Edinburgh’

10 November 2014

We’re delighted that our new restaurant, Contini Cannonball is featured as one of the ‘top 5 historic places to dine in [...]

Carina in Scots Magazine: November

6 November 2014

This month, as the nights draw in and thoughts turn to winter warming suppers and evenings beside the fire Carina’s column in the [...]

Budding Chefs: Scots go to Brittany

3 November 2014

This week our Sous Chef at Contini Cannoball, Emma Mills, is on her way to France! Travelling in association with the Institut Francais [...]

SRA celebrates sustainable Scottish food revolution at The Scottish Cafe

31 October 2014

We we’re absolutely thrilled to host the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Supplier Showcase event this Tuesday! Thank [...]

Cannonball Review – LeilAppetit – October 2014

28 October 2014

Thank you for the wonderful review Leila Kean of Leilappetit.com! To see the original review, please click here!   A night out at [...]

Contini Ristorante is ready for her close-up

27 October 2014

Earlier this year the first restaurant in the Victor & Carina Contini family, Contini Ristorante on George Street, underwent [...]

Cannonball Review from Joanna Blythman

22 October 2014

We’re absolutely thrilled to see that Joanna Blythman enjoyed her evening at Cannonball so much. Read her fantastic review in the [...]

Proud Moment

10 October 2014

It’s been a busy few weeks for us all at Victor & Carina Contini. Opening our new venue Cannonball and whizzing round the [...]

All Venues Closed from 5PM Sunday 5th October

29 September 2014

For our annual team party to celebrate a full on year of activity and thousands of happy customers we are giving our team a shift off. [...]

Cannonball Countdown

10 September 2014

We’re brimming of excitement this week as the newest addition to the Victor & Carina Contini family gets ready for her big [...]

Nairn Book and Arts Festival

3 September 2014

Victor and Carina travelled with their daughters to Nairn over the weekend to showcase some of the abundant fresh produce from the [...]

Carina on the page with Scots Magazine

26 August 2014

It has been a year of exciting firsts and wonderful partnerships for us here at Contini’s and this month we are delighted to celebrate [...]

Celebrating the Festival

It would be hard to miss the largest and most colourful arts extravaganza in the world in full swing right here in Edinburgh. Contini [...]

Carina at Edinburgh Book Festival!

Italian-Scot Cuisine – 16th August 2014 The Continis have been an integral part of the Scottish food business for generations and [...]

Al Fresco Dining Comes to George Street!

We’re excited about Al Fresco Dining on George street! We’re loving the look as all the construction progresses! What do [...]

Victors Week – All about the vino

8 July 2014

Hi everyone, Welcome to my first blog! I’m just back from a fun trip with Ryan – tasting wines in London. Who says I have a [...]

Peas & Beans Pulsing with Flavour

20 May 2014

Our kitchen garden is looking fabulous. Green shoots and flowers are everywhere. When I open the gate and step into the plot, despite [...]

The new Contini Brand

1 May 2014

We are thrilled to unveil our brand new look! To our brand that is...

Piece of Cake

2 April 2014

Are you a baking goddess or a patisserie prince? Some of the most prized skills in any kitchen are those learnt in the pastry section. [...]

Contini at the SRA Awards

3 March 2014

The 3rd Annual Sustainable Restaurant Awards took place on the 17th of February 2014. Carina and Suzanne were cooking at Roast [...]

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes with a Little Vice

1 March 2014

Shrove Tuesday heralds the start of Lent, where temptations come in all flavours. Patience is a virtue, they say. I’m short on virtue [...]

A Healthy & Warming Winter Recipe

16 January 2014

Our own winter chard is looking majestic in the garden and British chard is all over the shops. Here is a lovely, healthy and hearty [...]

Mother’s close to our hearts

Good morning lovely people, and happy Mother’s Day for all you even lovelier mummies.   If No 1 daughter was at home, I’d be [...]

What’s (APP) Up?

Good morning lovely people, My political enthusiasm is fading like my resilience to resist those chocolates that I said I’ll give up [...]

No room for carelessness

Good morning lovely people, I’ve been careless. No, I didn’t forget to declare £27m. Sacked from the Cabinet, how is Zahawi still [...]

Best restaurants in Edinburgh | BBC Good Food

Best restaurants in Edinburgh | BBC Good Food “It’s famous for its summer arts festivals, but Edinburgh has plenty to offer [...]

Pedestals to be used for saints only

Good morning lovely people , I hope I have a tinge of humour, arising from the situations that we’ve been subjected to.   I’ve [...]

Some fresh air would be a treat

Happy New Year lovely people Some say we shouldn’t look back. A little health check to see if we’re heading in the right direction, [...]

‘Tis the Season

Good morning lovely people    Yes, when you’re told you can’t have it, you’ll want it even more.  The polls have seen a [...]

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Hello lovely people, What does happiness mean for you? For Nonna G it’s duck with orange sauce, dauphinoise potatoes followed by [...]

We Must Never Forget

Hello lovely people, Permacrisis (blooming nightmare had too many syllabubs), Collins Dictionary word of the Year “an extended period [...]

Autumn brings much to be excited about

Last week I needed to leave the country to get a break; from politics. It’s exhausting. I can’t remember a time when all our national [...]

And breathe…

My last missive wasn’t too cheery. Thank you to those who helped me smile the following Monday morning. One reply (very different from [...]

Two Faces…

Good morning lovely people, My face gets me into trouble all the time. If I’m worried or grumpy you know. If I’m happy you probably [...]

Take a bow…

Good Morning Lovely People,  The difference between the new PM (, the rest of us) and the Princess Royal can all be summed up in a [...]

Solve the problem, don’t pass it on.

Good morning lovely people,   Today we’ll hear who the new PM is.  They should come clean and admit they can’t do the job but [...]

Edinburgh, we love you…

Good Morning Lovely People,  Edinburgh you are wonderful.  Especially the week before last when the sun was shining.  It’s been wet [...]

Coming home…

Good Morning Lovely People, Having left Italy, with daily a la carte restaurant choices, the big debate this week, is what shape of [...]

O Sole Mio

Good Morning Lovely People, This is a short and sweaty post. We’re in Italy.  We did one of those last minute dot com type trips with [...]

When does bad, become too bad?

Good Morning lovely people, Deception, manipulation, self interest, corruption isn’t in my world or yours.  It’s not welcome or allowed [...]

This is all so complicated

Good morning lovely people, In a week when a new Bill of Rights is being presented to Parliament, when we had a perfectly good Human [...]

No, it wasn’t a hologram

Dear Lovely People, No, it wasn’t a hologram…  What’s changed in our world since my seven year old self celebrated the [...]

I have a plan

Good morning lovely people,   What’s unfolding is like an episode of the comedy Blackadder, but not as funny.   They had a plan [...]

Numbers never lie

Good morning lovely people,   I thought I’d lost this email but I found it next to my ferry tickets and Mastercard statement. What [...]

Basic Instinct

Good morning lovely people, (Thankfully I’ve never said “ladies and gentlemen” as that could be offensive if I was working in the House [...]

All show, no substance with a clear lack of integrity

Dear Lovely people We get so much of a show for our money these days but where is the substance to back it up?  Will Smith gave us all [...]

Waiting for the picturesque scenery

Dear Lovely people I’ve had a busy couple of weeks so my head is struggling to filter all of the news.  I know many of you feel the [...]

The weather has turned

Good morning lovely people What we thought was a nightmare over the last two years was just a few sleepless nights.  The world has [...]

Lightning never strikes twice

This week I thought I’d send you all a questionnaire.  I decided I’d ask you to answer truthfully.  By accident, it was sent to the PM [...]

Love is all around us

Morning lovely people With Valentines slowly approaching we’re sharing some of the love you’ve shared with us over the last few [...]

Time for some fun

Good morning lovely people I’d like to dedicate this blog to those who have suffered indirectly due to the effects of Covid, not to the [...]

The last week of 2021 I had Covid-itis

Dear lovely people The last week of 2021 I had Covid-itis. It’s a new strain that’s been identified by myself and like minded crazy [...]

Cold turkey isn’t to everyone’s taste

I hope you’ve all eaten lots, drunk enough and laughed more than usual. We’re looking forward to our Boxing Day cold turkey [...]

You’re all invited to our party

Good morning lovely people Clearly I was too happy last blog.  I was getting away with myself.  Victor and I even had a date night, in [...]

We’re smiling

Good morning lovely people, Regardless of all the stuff that’s thrown at us, life is good and we need to celebrate even the little [...]

Merry men (and some merry women)

The only word I had for the opening pomp of COP26 was hypocrisy. I’ll add my vote to the 76% Good Morning Britain poll who had the same [...]

More cake…

Good morning lovely people Let them eat cake.  Marie Antoinette’s most famous phrase. The other was “I wasn’t expecting [...]

Warning: If you love Boris, this is not for you

Good morning lovely people Some people just don’t get it.  Let’s agree that we can’t always agree. We may see a different perspective [...]

What on earth is going on?

My 15yo came out with “What on earth is going on?”  She was referring to eruptions in Las Palma and earthquakes in Australia.  Then her [...]

Team Hospitality Offer

National Hospitality Day and National Family Business Day!  The 18th September is National Hospitality Day and the 23rd September is [...]

United we stand……..

To our dear hospitality colleagues The last 18 months have been an unimaginable nightmare.  We’ve been forced to close, trade [...]

When I said you were escaping my weekly blogs I really “hoped” we would be moving towards a normal

Normal really feels like a lifetime ago. Is it just us or do you feel the same? When I said you were escaping my weekly blogs I really [...]

Puppy Love at Contini Venues

Last week Victor and I had a few days off.  Quite remarkable!  So lovely to spend time with the children and for the first time in over [...]

Over the last 75 weeks I’ve truly loved sharing my thoughts

Good morning lovely people Today you’re getting freedom from my weekly missives, but as the FM says no freedom from Covid, for some [...]

The flags are out in Lasswade and it isn’t even the Gala

Good morning lovely people The flags are out in Lasswade and it isn’t even the Gala (if you’re not from Scotland and need to know what [...]

What a difference a year makes….

Today is a happy blog. We have three restaurants back up and running and the sense of relief is difficult, even for me, to articulate.  [...]

Cannonball House Dining Guidelines

**UPDATED JANUARY 2022** All Venues Dining Guidelines JANUARY 2022 Covid is still with us so as a restaurant business we plan to [...]

Sorry, it’s a Long Covid missive today

I was confused for a moment, so Edinburgh is moving from Level 2 to Level 0 tomorrow.  Is it, “Pass Straight to Go and Collect £200” or [...]

From Lazio to Cockenzie: the making of a family restaurant

Victor and Carina Contini are both third generation Italian Scots. They are also the owners of The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant which [...]

The 10 Clouds of Covid

We’re on Cloud 9, but not as you know it.  We’re in the middle of a sandstorm. Watching the world around us makes me feel a bit like [...]

The cupboards are all tidy

Good morning lovely people I love analysing things, you may have noticed. Victor says I’ve to stop trying to control the things I can’t [...]

I’m throwing my toys out of the pram this week

Good morning lovely people I’m throwing my toys out of the pram this week,  actually we’ve been thrown out the pram, fall guy [...]

We invite you to enjoy Contini venues this summer

Hello, What a year it has been. Our industry has been hit hard but we are delighted to still be here feeling positive and energised for [...]

What will next year be like

This time last year we were still in Lockdown 1 and the prospect of the 15th July opening was filled with a sense of relief that this [...]

Noted, shorter updates

Last week felt like the Glasgow Fair. (With Glasgow in Level 3, it was no surprise. I don’t understand the logic!). Growing up in a [...]

Jump on board

Good morning lovely people Sorry (well a little sorry) about last week’s blog.  I didn’t have time to apply and refine my usual [...]

Mixed Messages

I read papers aligned with all political parties to try and find balance. I listen to the radio as much as I watch the news, I have my [...]

We thought it’s all over, it isn’t now…

The circle of life of the kitchen garden usually mirrors hospitality. Dormant over the winter but triumphant when it comes back to life [...]

Home sweet home…..

Good morning lovely people This week Covid finally hit home.   The lorry arrived like Clockwork. Nonna G’s furniture was swiftly  [...]

The Scottish Cafe Dining Guidelines 2021

**UPDATED DECEMBER 2021** All Venues Dining Guidelines DECEMBER 2021 Covid is still with us so as a restaurant business we plan to [...]

We can’t afford a divorce

Good morning lovely people 27 years ago tomorrow, 5.30am, Victor and I were sitting, starry eyed in Edinburgh Airport. (As I type, [...]

Red card or just a menu and drinks list please

Good morning lovely people Who would have thought that 72 hours of super league turmoil could have resulted in the best fans’ win [...]

Contini Dining Guidelines

**UPDATED MARCH 2022** All Venues Dining Guidelines Covid is still with us so as a restaurant business we plan to continue some [...]

Maybe an aspirin would work?

I write this weekly blog every Friday morning.  This was my interpretation before 6pm. My thoughts post 6pm are detailed at the end.    [...]

Let the games commence

Dear lovely people We’ve been closed for 4 months.  On 16th March we were told the 26th April would be our reopen date, this week we [...]

Happy Easter lovely people

Easter for many will make you think of chocolate, spring lamb (roasted with garlic and rosemary!), eggs or hot cross buns.  For some it [...]

Stayin Alive with Blue Sky thinking

Our first blue envelope arrived, hoorah!  It put a spring in Victor’s step as the postman delivered this important package a good [...]

Who would have thought the FM announcements would ever be our prime time TV

On Tuesday we ceremoniously turned on the TV at 2.30pm. Who would have thought the FM announcements would ever be our prime time TV.  [...]

To say the last year has been emotional is an understatement

Good morning lovely people To say the last year has been emotional is an understatement. The emotions have ranged from shock, fear, [...]

Good news, well, some good news

Dear lovely people Last week I promised some good news so here we go.  It’s nothing we’ve been able to control but the Budget did bring [...]

Ready, steady, keep STOPPED!

Dear lovely people Never have so many businesses written so many business plans and regretted the time and energy over the last year. [...]

Hit Scotland Scholarships

We have so much skill in the kitchen it’s important that we keep the team excited and keep developing their skills. We were thrilled [...]

Where is Ironman or Wonder Woman when you need them?

The FM’s announcement that all Easter holidays are cancelled with a further caveat that there can be no confirmation yet whether or not [...]

Let’s not forget the things we truly love

Love.  Sometimes it’s hard to articulate. Often it’s easier to see it when it’s missing.   If you asked me on 14th February 2020 what I [...]

Time to learn something new

Dear lovely people I got to the end of January and realised I hadn’t called any of our team.  We use Flow, the online platform from [...]

Tomorrow is another day

The moment I wake up, I say a little prayer for all of us. I’m thankful that we have Contini At Home to keep us focused.  I’m thankful [...]

Nonna G gets her first vaccine

Dear lovely people Within days we will all be burdened with the news that we have passed 100,000 Covid deaths in the UK.   In less than [...]

Our first post Brexit Italian delivery

The Brexit dream of having territorial rights over our coastal waters that were previously shared with our largest export market had to [...]

Come on troops, let’s pick ourselves up, we’ve done it once we can do it again…

Do you feel like the world has gone into slow motion and you are observing from a distance? Monday’s announcements from Holyrood and [...]

Happy New Year! Out with the old in with the new!  

This year it doesn’t have the same ring to it. When the old is still surrounding us. Normally we are celebrating all the happy memories [...]

Are you a glass half full or half empty?

This is the last weekly letter before Christmas, or should I say before Lockdown again. Are you a glass half full or half empty? While [...]

Pardon me!

I feel like hospitality is sitting on death row waiting for a pardon, but everyone, including the judge, knows we’re innocent. I [...]

Brexit – What does it mean for our business

It’s almost 4 years since the Referendum to leave the European Union.  How did we ever get ourselves into this mess.  So much time, and [...]

Contini’s 12 Days of Christmas Give Away

We all need something to look forward to at the moment and here at Contini HQ (heart and quality department) we think we have the [...]

A safe place for families to meet and a source of employment and income for our teams

There is something joyous about going to work.  A sense of pride.  Achievement. Having the ability to support your family.  Many of us [...]

A little voice of support

A little bundle of light relief. We are on Level 3 repeat in Edinburgh this week, again.  It’s going to be very hard if not impossible, [...]

Zoom Christmas Parties with Contini at Home

We are delighted to be able to offer Christmas at Home for Corporate Christmas parties! Or for family online get togethers of course! [...]

Wake, work, eat, sleep.  Repeat.

Lovely friends, I’ve struggled to write this week’s letter. If you’re like us, you’re living on repeat.  Wake, work, eat, [...]

Carina’s Christmas Cake

I’m sharing my Christmas Cake recipe.  Make it anytime in November and it will be perfect for Christmas.  If you make this and share a [...]

Now class of 2020, let’s recap

17th March: Don’t go to restaurants 26th March: Restaurants to close, National lockdown 10th July: Restaurants can reopen outdoors 15th [...]

Contini at Home UK is now live

We are thrilled to launch Contini at Home UK All your favourite dishes and products delivered within 24 hours! Our delivery days are [...]

This is a letter sent with love

On Wednesday I was listed in the top 100 women in Hospitality in Scotland.  Voted by industry peers it meant even more to be included [...]

Save Our Jobs

So we have 5 tiers. 0,1,2,3,4. Not 12345.  It’s never straight forward is it! For restaurants, 0 is probably 3 households, up to 8 [...]

There will be no returning to normal

There will be no returning to normal……Sounds like, “You’ll have had your tea!”. Well we weren’t expecting to be high fiving on [...]

The Scottish Cafe is a “Cafe” and can remain open

We don’t need a cabinet, we need a drinks trolley and a kitchen table.  The government has advised on Wednesday that restaurants and [...]