Victor and Carina Contini are hosting a month-long celebration of all things Italian for the whole of June.
The pair who own Contini Ristorante, Contini Cannonball and the Scottish Cafe in Princes Street Gardens are showcasing Festa della Repubblica – a celebration of their Italian heritage – at Contini Ristorante on George Street.
Whether you love rich red wine, crisp chilled beer, hearty pasta or sweet gelato, there’s no need to set foot on a plane this June to experience the true taste of Italy. It’s here in Edinburgh all month!
The traditional national Italian holiday, Festa della Repubblica commemorates Italy becoming a republic in 1946.
A fantastic selection of events and offerings are available until the end of the month to showcase the very best that Italy has to offer, including al-fresco dining, new menus, traditional live music, classic Italian cocktails and authentic produce markets.
On Saturday mornings at Contini Ristorante there will also be free Italian language lessons between 10-11am in association with YaketyYak.
Taking a leaf from our Italian cousins’ book, the Continis are encouraging Scots to embrace the La Dolce Vita.
Carina said: “Both Victor and I come from large Italian-Scots families where food, culture and history are in our blood. While many of our customers will already know us and have visited our Scottish restaurants, we wanted to celebrate our heritage and offer a month-long celebration of Italy at the original Contini Ristorante on George Street.
“From food and drink to Italian lessons and live music, there is something on offer for everyone.”
Eleonora Vanello, Scottish Branch Manager for The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK, said: “The forthcoming anniversary of the Festa della Repubblica is making Italians reflect upon their Italian heritage whilst in a foreign country. Scotland has become more and more a home for expatriates rather than a foreign place to live in.
“Scotland has embraced a fusion of Scottish Italian culinary tradition and culture. How can we forget the well known Italian chippies? Nowadays we are witnessing a new migratory wave from Italy and we await the exciting outcome of this new melting pot.
“Scots, Italians and Italo-Scots are proving to us that migration and hospitality can combine to create a strong cultural and economic community. This is a teaching that we must remember and a heritance that must be passed down to future generations.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
