There is the faint air of an old fashioned Italian restaurant at the recently opened Ristorante Luigi’s in Canonmills’ Howard Street with its randomly draped plastic ivy, bricked bar, packets of pasta and post cards of Italian scenes. The time warp ends there. No fiascos (bottles with close fitting straw holder) were spotted and there was a lack of red checked table cloths. Instead, in this bright and airy restaurant whose side windows overlook the Water of Leith, is a dado wall painted in Sienna with clean cream walls above.
From the mixed seating that ranges from black upholstered chairs and some in a metal open backed style, my lunch party chose one of bench style seats that match the Sienna walls. We arrived separately and each was given a warm welcome from manager, Nino.
Complying with Edinburgh Guide’s £10 Challenge, we chose from the great value lunch and pre- theatre menu that offers two courses for £8.80 and three for £10.50. From the generous choice of mixed salad, squid in tomato sauce and crostini misti (toasted bread with various toppings) we all chose soup of the day. On our day it was cream of mushroom. It arrived suitably hot, smooth and served with a swirl of olive oil and a slice of lightly toasted Italian bread on the side.
From the choice of five mains that includes a pasta and pizza of the day, both K. and A. plumped for grilled chicken. It came as breast cut butterfly style and was drizzled with olive oil and was both tender and delicious My choice of sea bass came served in a tasty tomato sauce with capers and cherry tomatoes. Each dish came served with a bright mêlée of beautifully cooked tossed carrots broccoli and turnip. Cleared plates all round!
The choice of desserts was little more than Hobson’s Choice with only cheesecake and chocolate tart on offer. The verdict from K. and A. on the cheesecake was that it was light and creamy but a bit too sweet. My chocolate tart was warm, soft and suitably gooey but the heavy drizzle of chocolate sauce (and raspberry sauce over the cheesecake) felt like gilding the lily.
Ristorante Luigi’s was quiet on the day of our visit but this friendly establishment offering tasty traditional Italian food at great value deserves to be full.