Vittoria's is the perfect restaurant to sample a real taste of Italy. Renowned for its high level of service and fresh Italian food, book online with Vittoria's on Leith Walk and experience over 40 years of history. You can now also book online at Vittoria's on the bridge and at La Favorita too.
Trattoria Siciliana
- Food served: Mon–Sun 4–11pm
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Takeaway
- Music on stereo: Italian ballads
- Capacity: 35
- Largest group: 35
- Open since: 2004
- Average price 2 courses: £9
- BYOB: no charge corkage
Nominate this restaurant forThe List Reader Award 2010
The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2009 is now in the shops. This review is taken from the 2008 edition.
With a door that won't close, the lingering smell of cigar smoke, glaring lights and a disinterested waiter, Trattoria Siciliana doesn't make a great first impression. Frustratingly, remedies to the situation don't appear thick on the ground. Staff aren't big on detail (it would be helpful to know before ordering that many dishes aren't available), so have a back-up in mind when choosing from the vast menu. Apart from the odd appearance of the aubergine in dishes such as caponata alla Siciliana and spaghetti alla norma, the fare is standard Italian rather than typically Sicilian. Starters include a flavoursome but soggy bruschetta and a fairly forgettable antipasto misto. Mains, which arrive at lightning speed courtesy of a microwave, include delicately spiced meatballs in a tomato and pea sauce, and a hearty home-made spinach cannelloni. Although substantial, both dishes are lukewarm in the middle and piping-hot around the edges. Uninspiring desserts include the fresh-out-of-the-cardboard-box apple pie, served cold and smothered in canned whipped cream. Trattoria Siciliana is a no-frills affair – ageing décor coupled with microwaved food create a half-hearted rather than homey feel – but with deals like any one pasta dish for four people for £5 each, you're bound to find a bargain.
- High point: Cheap prices and BYOB with no corkage
- Low point: A lick of paint and a bit of DIY would do wonders
Comments for Trattoria Siciliana (5a Union Street, Edinburgh)
- 1. Sal – 7 August 2009, 12:31am
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Having visited Trattoria Siciliana a few years ago in our student days and enjoyed the cheap/cheerful nature of the place, on a recent visit to Edinburgh we thought we would return for old time’s sake. But as we were to discover, Trattoria Siciliana is no more. In its place is another restaurant, simply called The Sicilian. Under new management the lighting is slightly more sympathetic, and it has certainly had a lick of paint – the walls are now cheerfully decked out in the red, white and green of the Italian flag, with paper napkins on the tables to match. We were served by a very friendly waitress, who was quick and efficient, and the chef also came out of the kitchen to say hello.
Unfortunately the food left much to be desired. Two of our party ordered bruschetta as a starter, which when it arrived turned out to be two pieces of uninspiring sliced white bread. Also as a starter we ordered some Melanzane with parmesan, which was disappointingly bland and tasteless. Among our main courses was a lasagne which had to be returned to the kitchen as although it was bubbling around the outside in the centre it was at best lukewarm. The Spaghetti alle Vongole was served not with fresh clams in their shells as you might expect but with tinned or bottled specimens, and had an unpleasant gritty texture. We decided to skip dessert.
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