Review written September 2009 - Thanks to Simone Hilliard for picture
SANTINI

Simple, classic, delicious.

I AM CONSTANTLY AMAZED AT HOW LUCKY WE ARE IN EDINBURGH TO HAVE SO MANY VARIED AND GOOD RESTAURANTS. FOR THE MOST PART WE HAVE THE LUXURY OF EATING WHAT WE WANT, WHEN WE WANT AND WE COULD GO TO A NEW PLACE EVERY SINGLE DAY. MOREOVER, THE STANDARD OF FOOD SERVED IN EDINBURGH IS VERY HIGH AND A RECENT TRIP TO SANTINI CONFIRMED THIS RESTAURANT’S IMPORTANT PLACE ON EDINBURGH’S CULINARY MAP.

Santini is a bold, modern and beautiful space with a menu firmly based on the traditional Italian principles of seasonal, quality ingredients. From October 5th Santini is running a series of limited edition menus based on four regions: Sicily, Tuscany, Veneto and Piedmont. Each menu will run successively for two weeks.

My partner and I had a sneak preview of some dishes from the regional menus. First up an Insalato Di Pollo from Sicily. This was a simple, refreshing, flavoursome timbale of shredded chicken and juicy, red peppers with a subtle hint of chilli throughout. We also shared an extremely puffy, light foccacia topped with crunchy sea salt crystals. Next, calamari stuffed with Parma ham, capers and potato. Our waiter proudly informed us that that this dish is a speciality from the south of Italy. It was exquisitely presented and the flavours were awesomely good. The combination of squid and potato worked well in terms of both texture and taste, the stuffing had just the right amount of ‘meatiness’ and was soft, sumptuous and well seasoned; but we didn’t stop there. A dish of braised lamb raviolini with sage butter was devoured with gusto. The pasta is made fresh on the premises daily and was cooked perfectly al dente. The sage butter was rich, dripping and aromatic. A hearty dish from Verona.

For main courses we chose from the regular menu. For me an extremely interesting dish, home-made black taglioni pasta with scallops, prawns and vanilla sauce (£14.00) and for my partner a classic pasta dish of spaghetti cooked with white wine, clams, cherry tomato and parsley (£10.50). We couldn’t find fault with either; mine was a visual feast and a luscious dish with an interesting sweet note whilst my partner’s spaghetti was simply classic and delicious for being so.

We definitely didn’t have room for dessert but a return visit was promised to our disappointed waiter. Our pleasure.