Edinburgh's Local Italian Treasure

La Bruschetta is a small luxurious Italian restaurant in the centre of Scotland’s capital city – Edinburgh. A family-run business, La Bruschetta has been in the hearts of many Edinburgh locals and foreign travellers for the past nineteen years. The physical size of the premises doesn’t curtail the great community and family that they have built over the years with their five star one of a kind Menu A La Carte and warm welcoming staff.

“Our goal is to make [our guests] feel comfortable. I think the customers who come to La Bruschetta recognise it as a formal setting which can feel like a barrier, but our goal is to make them feel comfortable with that image we present, so it can be something that they can have and something that they will want and not just enjoy. Hopefully in time they can feel like a La Bruschetta member.” – Mario Cariello (Waiter at La Bruschetta 2014-2019 and son of chef and proprietor Giovanni Cariello)

Our great chef, Giovanni Cariello started his culinary journey after qualifying, in 1984, at Villa Della Rose Catering College in the Campania region of Italy. After working for five star Torre Oliva Hotel in the Gulf of Policastro Giovanni travelled to Edinburgh where he worked for Cosmo before acquiring head chef at San Marco Restaurant. His moment arrived when he ventured to open his own restaurant in August of 2002 – La Bruschetta!

[La Bruschetta: About Us]

Menu Al Cuore

La Bruschetta Menus

Specialising in fresh seafood and fish La Bruschetta sources local produce to create seasonal variation in the A La Carte and Menu Del Giorno, all with an exclusively Italian wine list. The menus are filled, not just with Chef Giovanni’s well-renowned seafood dishes but a wide variety of filling antipasti, idiosyncratic pasta, mouth-watering meats, and desserts that journeys you to the raw heart of Italy.

From the truth of my own love for La Brushcetta – my stomach, of course, ruling judgement – the authorship of Chef Giovanni’s meals is irrefutably found nowhere else and with every visit and every meal and every bite I am nostalgically returned to the heart-warming countryside of Italy and the memories of my adventures in a far off land. All the time, sitting in the luxury of La Bruschetta’s comfort. In a funny sort of way I feel a bit like Disney Pixar’s Anton Ego when he first takes a bite of Remi’s Ratatouille. I find it hard to obtain the right words that will do justice to the exceptionality of La Bruschetta’s divinity.

Having interviewed a couple of regulars and a to-be regular I asked what their favourite La Bruschetta dish is – or their go-to classic.

“Too many good dishes to choose from! I usually stick with the veal.” [Saltimbocca All’Italiana] – Laura McVicar (regular from 2002)

“When I was at La Bruschetta they had plenty to choose from that sounded delicious, but I went for the classic beef lasagne [Lasagne Al Forno]. The lasagne is hands down the best I have ever eaten, it was rich and very filling.” – Laura Lindsay (to-be regular)

“Linguine Ai Frutti Di Mare.” – Peter Kingsbury (regular from 2002)

“Fettucine Al Salmone with mixed salad as a main. As a starter – Antipasto Novizio.” – Kirsty Kingsbury (regular from 2002)

Waiter, Mario Cariello said too that his favourite was the Fettucine Al Salmone and furthered with a recommendation of a half portion as it “fills you up, but not in the bloaty way, the satisfied way”.

The La Bruschetta Club

“When it works, the La B magic is when you see late, towards the end of the sitting, in the evening, winding down, different customers are talking to one and other. I loved being able to pull up a table next to each other and recognise people. The convivial atmosphere leaches onto other customers, it imbues belonging. That sense of belonging comes from the front of house staff, and the chef who comes out to get to know his customers. It’s more individual, feels like a club. A club that isn’t elitist, but makes you feel special.” – Mario Cariello (waiter)

The cuisine is only one part of the experience, it is the people and the atmosphere that builds a sense of community and a willingness to return. From the décor to the staff and to the customers, everyone and everything plays a vital role in the constitution of the La Bruschetta Club. It’s all good and well writing a recapitulation of La Bruschetta’s community, but what better way to gain a vivid image than from the customers themselves?

What is special to the guests about the service and atmosphere at La Bruschetta?

“[The atmosphere] is very warm, personal and intimate. It feels luxurious, and you are well looked after without it being intrusive; the care they have over making your experience special. It is like a club with regulars, but not knowing which regulars you’ll bump into on your visit! It is a little bit of upper class Italy in a corner of Edinburgh.” – Kirsty Kingsbury

“It’s a small intimate restaurant, but that’s the appeal. It stands out from a lot of the competition. A wonderful little slice of genuine Italian cuisine with attentive professional service without being overbearing. A classy, yet relaxed atmosphere.” – Laura McVicar

“[The atmosphere] is very cosy and homely which I think is hard to find in other eateries. I have only been [to La Bruschetta] once for a friend’s birthday dinner but would happily become a regular. The staff were very welcoming and friendly, and the service was impeccable. The last time I was there, members of our party were running a bit late, and we had to hold off from ordering until they arrived. When we explained this to the staff they were very understanding and did not pressure us at all. In fact, from what I remember everyone who worked there all seemed to be in good spirits and I felt very comfortable at La Bruschetta. The food is divine, but it is only one part of the whole experience.” – Laura Lindsay

La B and Me

La Bruschetta has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. For special occasions, to support our favourite local business or simply because we wanted to indulge in out-of-this-world cuisine and see some familiar faces the reason would never matter to me, it was always an adventure to visit La B. I feel like I am dinning in opulence without having to pay the pied piper for it.

You know those family friends that you see maybe three/four times a year, and when you were younger you would always get excited to see them and show off how much taller you’ve grown and mature you’ve become? Well, that was the case for me when I went to La B. A warm jovial welcome from the front of house, followed by a comment on the lines of “Look how much you’ve grown! I barely recognise you,” which made me feel so relaxed and appreciated. Although, those comments did carry on right until I surpassed my mum’s height.

The décor has always been rich in elegance and sophistication whilst the warm colours pulls you into a sense of homely comfort. Unlike so many other eateries where the background music would reflect the playlist of one lucky worker who got to stick their Spotify into the speakers before anyone else, at La Bruschetta they fill the cosy room with ethereal classical music and easy listening jazz that is never overpowering. The image that La B has always presented itself with is very formal, but not once have I ever felt like I am dinning in Buckingham Palace where one dropped crumb could have me locked in the Tower of London. It’s a place where flaws are welcome, and you are acknowledged.

This, is of course, thanks to the staff who not only care enough to hear your stories and chat with you but also - despite the quantity of different customers they get to know - remember little significant details about your life that you will have popped in passing the last time you visited. If that isn’t a club, I honestly don’t know what is. To the staff, you aren’t just a customer, you really are an equal, and with the customers they feel much the same towards the staff. What’s even more magical about the La Bruschetta club, are the guests. The other customers chat to you as if you have known each other for the past few years of your life. Sometimes, there are guests there who you have met before, but there’s no fear – even for the non-regulars – in chatting with your neighbouring table.

I have often requested to go to La B for my birthday, and hands up, I am not a dessert person. And even after scoffing just one course of Chef Giovanni’s divinity, I have had my share for the rest of the week – or at least that’s what my stomach tells me at the time. However, whether requested or not, a couple of scoops of sorbet (my favourite), decorated with a lit candle is serenaded to my table with an ensemble in the form of the other guests. A little gap in the song where most people don’t know my name is redeemed by voluntary cheers and private birthday wishes as the guests walk past my table. This goes for all, anyone who so dares to slip out that they are there to celebrate their birthday gets the same rendition without fail.

At some point during his day, unfailingly, Chef Giovanni would emerge from his kitchen, not in expectance of an applause, but to check on his customers and their wellbeing. Smiling unwaveringly, joking and laughing and not looking like he had just spent the prior five hours confined to his roasting kitchen, pouring his heart and soul into the meals that had just been consumed by these guests. He chats to each table whether regulars or newcomers - it makes no difference to Chef Giovanni as anyone who steps through the doors of La Bruschetta becomes important to him.

My perfect La Bruschetta meal? An absolute go-to for starters is the Antipasto Novizio and I will never order from La B without their genuine, delicious focaccia. For mains, well, now it would have to be the Fettuccini Al Salmone – as well – but when I was younger Chef Giovanni would pull together an off-the-menu rigatoni with his special irreplaceable tomato sauce, as the dishes used to be a little too rich for me. To be fair, if I asked for it now he would still do it for me no problem. As for dessert, even though as previously mentioned, I am not a big fan of desserts, Chef Giovanni’s tiramisu is more than you could ever ask for.

If you find yourself visiting La Bruschetta, you might bump into me there – it’s become a second home to me.

What it means to be a local family-run business

To stand alone, it’s one of a kind. A local eatery is a treasure, without them every eatery would be artificial chains reproduced like they’re being churned out a factory. The uniqueness, the personal touches and the rawness of the recipes would become diluted until it’s simply a money-making industry thriving on the hunger of our species and branded names. Local treasures and big chains are two sides of a coin, you can’t have one without the other just as day wouldn’t dawn without the closure of night – one can’t be appreciated without the other. That is why when you find a local gem that welcomes you in, you hold onto it and never let go. For me, that is La Bruschetta.

But that is my view as a customer. As an employee or the proprietor of a local family-run business it becomes something far bigger and far deeper than simply two sides of a coin.

“[Working in a family run business] is a rewarding experience. It can be nerve racking because there’s the reputation of the family, not just the business. But that’s what also makes it personal. There’s anxiety about getting it right, but there’s also the sheer joy of when it does work. It’s a double edged sword.

My favourite part about working at La Bruschetta is when I achieve my goal. You become personal with the customers, almost like a friend without overstepping the barrier. There’s a fine line between being friendly and meeting the requirements of the customer when working in a family business. You’re also equal, customers see you not as subservient. Wrapping it in the poetry of dinning experience makes it family-run and brings them into a sense of belonging.

[When you work in a family run business] the business is more dependent on you as there’s a smaller working environment – there’s a team feeling amongst the staff. If you were [working] in a giant chain there’s part timers and you don’t get to see everyone. At La B you work with everyone, you get to know everyone, and you get to understand more of the customers because it’s a smaller place.” – Mario Cariello (waiter and son of Chef Giovanni Cariello)

Lockdown at La Bruschetta

Nothing like a worldwide pandemic was going to stop Chef Giovanni Cariello from providing his La Bruschetta community with the best experience he could give. At the beginning of lockdown when La Bruschetta had to close up completely, Chef Giovanni, with his family team, hit the film set and created a short series of cooking episodes – filled with classic Italian dishes that people could try to make at home. Giovanni’s Giornos, The Restless Chef.

With their online profile upgraded to YouTube, Facebook and Instagram there was no stopping this restless chef as he ploughed on creating new dishes during lockdown.

When restrictions lifted enough that eateries could open up with a take-out system, Chef Giovanni jumped at this opportunity and transformed his little restaurant into a warm welcoming take-out. Even with social distancing, Chef Giovanni would pop out of his kitchen hide-out, when he could, to have a quick catch-up with his customers when they came to pick up their meals.

“[Having a take-out] brings the uniqueness of La B into your home which is weird – the aromas and dishes normally served directly to your table you have to put together yourself several miles away from where it was made. It has made me very happy over lockdown when we have indulged! It is not the same as having the freshness, atmosphere and service on site, but I still love it!” – Kirsty Kingsbury

“I would consider ordering a take-out from [La Bruschetta] as the food is delicious and I would love to support my local business during these unprecedented times. My dining experience at this establishment is a contributing factor to my decision to return to dine there in person and order a take-out from them.” – Laura Lindsay

Their new social media presence has brought in a lot of new customers and the returning regulars have been more than happy to support, what is to us, more than just a restaurant – it’s friends, family and a community.

The Award Cabinet

La Bruschetta isn’t just any Italian restaurant, it is a hugely successful, acclaimed and a rewardingly unique five star “intimate dining experience of Classic Italian Cuisine”. I have mentioned as much in many ways above, but here is the proof that what I say is very much true.

A Real Italian Cuisine

It is irrefutable that La Bruschetta is my rare golden treasure of local eateries. A community, a club, an experience, a reward. If you are ever in Edinburgh, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to experience one of the most exquisite local treasures, the opportunity to become part of something bigger and the opportunity, simpler still, to taste a real, unparalleled Italian cuisine.

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Special thanks to Mario Cariello for his insight to his work at La Bruschetta and to Kirsty Kingsbury, Peter Kingsbury, Laura McVicar and Laura Lindsay for their experiences at La Bruschetta.