Edinburgh’s Divino is triple winner at Scottish Italian Awards

This year’s Scottish Italian Awards saw one Edinburgh restaurant standing above the rest as Divino Enoteca became a triple winner, receiving accolades for ‘Scotland’s Best Wine Selection’, ‘Scotland’s Best Pasta Chef’, and ‘Scotland’s Best Chef’, alongside a ‘Highly Recommended’ commendation for Best Restaurant in the East. 

The 10th anniversary of the Scottish Italian Awards welcomed over 750 guests to the Double Tree in Glasgow on 26th November for an evening celebrating the best of the Italian hospitality community, who have all made an incredible impact on Scotland’s food scene. 

Divino flew the flag for Edinburgh well through the evening, as the sole winners from the capital city. The awards cap off a successful year for the restaurant, with milestones including visits from Prince Albert of Monaco and actor Gerard Butler, following a £100,000 renovation at the end of 2022. 

Tucked away on Merchant Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Divino is known for its high-quality food that provides a modern and creative take on Italian cuisine. Seasonal menus, with dishes ranging from fresh pastas with silky sauces to succulent braised meats. are imagined by Chef Andrea Calistro – honoured with awards for ‘Scotland’s Best Chef’ and ‘Best Pasta Chef’. 

The award for Best Wine Selection reflects Divino’s dedication to curating an impressive assortment of world wines, with regular wine tasting evenings and a unique ‘enomatic’ machine allowing guests to sample rare wines from the bottle. 

Vittoria Group’s other celebrated restaurants were also honoured in the awards, with Vittoria on the Bridge also ‘Highly Recommended’ for Best Restaurant East, and Bertie’s Proper Fish & Chips ‘Highly Recommended’ for the Best Fish and Chips Award.  

Co-owner Alberto Crolla was delighted with the awards recognition, saying:  “While we strive for excellence each day of the year, awards like this are a testament to the team’s dedication to providing an incredible experience for each customer that visits our restaurant.

“This hat-trick of award wins makes a wonderful ending to an exciting year at Divino that began with a freshly unveiled restaurant and saw a myriad of exciting events like regionally themed nights and celebrity guests that keep our team energised to keep up the remarkable work they’re doing.” 

The Crolla family have been at the forefront of Italian hospitality in the capital since Vittoria on the Walk first opened in Leith more than 50 years ago.

Now three generations of the family have expanded the Vittoria group across the city, each offering something unique while honouring the traditions of great Italian hospitality. 

For more information on Divino, visit https://divinoedinburgh.com

April wine tasting nights at Divino showcase Sardinian favourites

Edinburgh’s award-winning Italian restaurant and wine bar Divino Enoteca is transporting guests to the island of Sardinia this spring, continuing with its series of regional wine tasting nights on the 16th and 30th of April at 5pm.

In-house wine experts James and Davide will guide guests through this historic region, exploring what makes Sardinian wine is one of Italy’s best kept secrets.

Conquered by various empires over the centuries, many cultures have brought their history, food, and grapes to the island, meaning a prevalence of international varieties and styles not found anywhere else in Italy.

A warm maritime climate and rich soils create the perfect conditions for complex, elegant wines – including those on the tasting menu, like a 2021 Vermentino Di Sardegna from Antonella Corda, and a 2019 Cannonau Di Sardegna from Santadi.

Guests will enjoy a welcoming aperitivo, 5 fabulous wines to taste, and matching canapes from head chef Andrea Calistro for just £25. 

Divino boasts an impressive assortment of world wines, and voted ‘best wine list,’ the restaurant is the perfect spot for get togethers allowing you to sample, appreciate and indulge in some of the finest Italian wines.

The wine tasting series began in the heart of fine Italian wine with Piedmont in February, before moving onto Dessert Wines in March, and will now showcase Sardinian Wines for the month of April.

Divino’s full wine tasting schedule includes:

  • April 16th and 30th, 5pm – Sardinian Aines, £25 
  • May 14th and 28th, 5pm -Biodynamic / Natural Wines, £25
  • June 11th and 25th, 5pm -Divino Garden Party! Summer Wines in the Courtyard, £25 
  • July 9th and 23rd, 5pm- Producer Showcase, £25 
  • September 10th and 24th, 5pm – Super Tuscans, £50 
  • October 8th and 22nd, 5pm – Producer Showcase, £25 
  • November 19th and 26th, 5pm – Amazing Abruzzo, £25

For each event, the wine tasting will take place from 5pm. Guests will also be able to book to dine a la carte throughout the evenings. 

Guests can book the events directly by choosing a 5pm reservation on the desired date at: https://divinoedinburgh.com/bookings/