Zucca

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

Zucca, which is situated next door to the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh's West End, opened in September 2007. The brainchild of Richard Glennie, previously of Santini's, it comprises two very separate areas: on the ground floor there's an easy-going café which offers a selection of simple panini, home-made puddings and speciality coffees, and on the upper level there's a slightly more formal restaurant, complete with Italian-style terracotta floor and theatre-inspired décor in homage to its neighbour. The simple design is matched by the refined Italian fare which clearly uses quality ingredients. A simple chickpea and vegetable soup with toasted crostini, hearty pasta with duck ragu and pistachio, and a sumptuous panna cotta are perfect examples of traditional Italian home cooking with no fancy additions or unnecessary flavours. Glennie has succeeded in creating a very relaxed ambience that's suitable for any mood, whether that's a night on which cooking seems a chore, to a three-course birthday celebration with a host of friends. The friendly and attentive staff will have you settled and feeling at home within moments, whatever the occasion.

• High point: The effortless enthusiasm of the waiting staff
• Low point: Slightly shabby interior in the ladies loos

The LIST Card C22

Zucca

The following information has been provided by the restaurant.

Zucca, located in Edinburgh’s theatre district behind the Traverse theatre, in between the Royal Lyceum and the Usher hall, aims to offer a combination of friendly service, creative but simple menus along side a good selection of wines.

The food is elegant but simple, including locally sourced produced from Edinburgh’s Farmers market. The Chef’s signature dishes include Cavatelli pasta with braised duck and pistachio, the classic meat ragu` ‘Bolognese’ made with Buffalo meat sourced from the Puddledub Farm, in Fife, Lamb stew made with meat sourced from the Hamilton’s farm in the Pentland hills, a variety of Risottos that reflect both seasonality and the chefs’ creativity and many other dishes which range from the classical to the most innovative combination maintaining a Mediterranean theme. There is also an original but unpretentious selection of good wines, reflecting the best style each Italian region has to offer.

The LIST Card is a dining scheme that gives you promotional two-for-one offers at a range of restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond. Find out more.