Contini Caffe to open on Edinburgh's Royal Mile in July
A new Italian-style café from restaurateurs Victor and Carina Contini is to open in Edinburgh's historic Cannonball House, on the Royal Mile
Set to open in July, the Contini Caffe will be the third opening for the duo, who already own the Contini Ristorante on George Street and the Scottish Café and Restaurant at the Scottish National Gallery.
It will have an artisan ice cream parlour and porridge bar, alongside a Scottish kitchen and drinks bar, and aim to offer the best of Italian and Scottish influences, including using local suppliers. The interior is expected to mix tartan with Italian touches and a 1950s feel, in homage to the Contini family's roots.
It will also offer panoramic views on to the city's central tourist district, and it is hoped that tourists will visit during the day, but that in the evening the venue will play host to corporate events and parties for the Edinburgh community.
The site is the first location of its kind to work in partnership with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which owns the building and annually helps fund a series of charities, arts and other organisations.
Tattoo chief executive Brigadier David Allfrey said: "We are proud and privileged to be working with the Continis on this project. We started work on the concept nearly 18 months ago and it is wonderful to see it progressing."
Co-owner Carina Contini said: "The Caffe is our third restaurant in Edinburgh and it will have something for everyone. This is a prime location on the tourism map so we want it to showcase the very best Scotland has to offer."
The Hot Scots Power 40: Victor and Carina Contini, Centotre, the Scottish Café, Edinburgh >>