I first came across Paolozzi when I worked at Edinburgh College of Art (ECA). Eduardo Paolozzi was a Scottish artist known for his sculptures and graphics (he’s considered one of the pioneers of pop art!). He lived in Leith and attended ECA, and if you’ve ever been to Tottenham Court Road Station in London you might recognise the wall mosaics, all of which are Paolozzi’s work.

In 1994, Paolozzi gave the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art a large body of his works, and much of the content of his studio. In 1999 the National Galleries of Scotland opened the Dean Gallery to display this collection.

Paolozzi believed in transforming overlooked, everyday objects into works of art and was summed up in his idea of revealing the ‘sublime in the everyday’.

Inspired by this philosophy, Edinburgh Beer Factory launched in 2015 with their flagship beer, ‘Paolozzi’ lager. They have since expanded their ‘Paolozzi’ beer series, all of which feature artworks by Eduardo, and make a charitable donation to the Paolozzi Foundation for every beer sold.

Paolozzi Restaurant & Bar is a partnership between Edinburgh Beer Factory and Gino Stornaiuolo, Scots-Italian restaurateur and former DJ.

Paolozzi Restaurant and Bar is also located just along the way from Edinburgh College of Art! It all makes sense now!

REVIEW OF PAOLOZZI RESTAURANT AND BAR, EDINBURGH

I love the stripped plaster from the walls on the exterior of the building on Forrest Road and I love the mural art work going on inside and especially the stairs and corridors leading to the W/C’s and it’s worth a trip alone to the toilets!

The restaurant is visually striking with pops of colour and plenty of nods to pop art. Seating is mixed and all very comfortable. You can enjoy food here or just pop in for a lager or a glass of vino.

The menu is Italian Scottish so Italian dishes made using the best of fresh Italian and Scottish ingredients. The menu reads well and filled with dishes you’d expect to see in an Italian restaurant.

Antipasti/Starters : Begin your meal with a selection of traditional Italian starters such as Tomato Bruschetta with or without marinated sliver anchovies, or the Melanzane Parmigiana of sliced tomato, aubergine and mozzarella.

We opted for the Focaccia with balsamic and extra virgin olive oil (£6.50) from the Spuntini/Bar Snacks; the Peelham Farm Bresaola with rocket and gran padano (£11.00) and the Calamari which was the Special of the Day.

The Focaccia bread, dunked in the rich balsamic vinegar and fruity extra virgin olive oil, is a symphony of simple yet exquisite flavours. The pillowy soft bread, with its dimpled surface soaking up balsamic and golden olive oil with ease and offers a delightful contrast of textures. The balsamic adds a touch of sweetness and acidity, complementing the grassy notes of the olive oil perfectly. This classic combination elevates the humble focaccia into a gourmet treat that is both comforting and sophisticated, making it recommendation I’ve told many people about.

Bresaola, is a cured Italian beef that pairs exquisitely with the peppery bite of rocket leaves and the nutty richness of aged Gran Padano cheese. This Bresaola comes from one of the BEST Scottish organic meat farms and it was off the charts good. The delicate marbling of the bresaola melts in the mouth, contrasting beautifully with the sharpness of the cheese and the freshness of the rocket. Each ingredient brings its own distinct flavour profile, resulting in a harmonious blend of salty, savoury, and slightly bitter notes. This classic combination is a testament to the simplicity and elegance of Italian cuisine, showcasing the quality of each component with every bite.

The lightly battered fresh calamari with its thin, crispy coating enhances the natural flavour of the calamari without overpowering it, allowing the taste of the tender meat to shine through. Thoroughly enjoyed this with a squeeze of lemon!

Primi: Indulge in a range of pizzas, pasta and risotto dishes, including Rigatoni with Pietro’s Italian sausage ragu, fennel and orange zest, or Risotto with gorgonzola, leeks, spinach and toasted almonds OR pizzas with fior di latte mozzarella imported from Naples (vegan mozzarella is also available).

Secondi/Mains: For the main course, savour traditional Italian entrees Veal Saltimbocca with carrots, green beans, baby potatoes.

In the UK, Primi is most often than not our main course and that’s exactly what we ordered - a pasta and a pizza as our mains.

We had the Spaghetti Carbonara with pecorino, egg, guanciale (£17.00) Carbonara is a classic Italian dish known for its simplicity and rich flavours. The key ingredients of this dish include salty guanciale, which is cured pork jowl, mixed with al dente spaghetti. The sauce is made from a combination of pecorino cheese, eggs, and black pepper, creating a creamy and indulgent coating for the pasta. The heat from the pasta cooks the eggs slightly, creating a velvety texture without scrambling them. The result is a dish that is both comforting and satisfying in its umami-packed goodness. I’d happily eat a bowl of this every day!

Pietro's Italian sausage Fior di latte pizza (£17.00) offers a symphony of flavours that dance on the taste buds. Each bite is a harmonious blend of rich Italian sausage, creamy Fior di latte, spicy nduja, tender friarielli, smoky scamorza, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. The savoury sausage provides a hearty base, while the Fior di latte adds a mild and milky contrast. The nduja brings a fiery kick that is beautifully balanced by the sweetness of the friarielli. The smoked scamorza lends a deep, smoky flavour that lingers with each bite, enhanced by the fruity notes of the olive oil. This pizza is a celebration of traditional Italian ingredients expertly combined to create a truly memorable dining experience. We loved every slice!

Dolci: desserts. You could conclude your dinner on a sweet note with decadent desserts such as creamy tiramisu layered with espresso-soaked sponge/ladyfingers, a light Coconut and Lime pannacotta or velvety chocolate and orange mousse.

Unfortunately, even our dessert bellies were stuffed full at this stage and we had to forego dessert! We were slightly gutted but we know we can always go back, time and time again.

We enjoyed some red wine with our meal but will definitely return for an ice cold pint or two of Paolozzi lager.

Staff here are bloody fantastic looking after each and every table with ease, grace and warmth. Whether you’re on your own or as part of a large group, the hospitality will be welcoming, loud and wonderful! Gino is an absolute gem on Front of House and you couldn’t ask for a better host.

I highly recommend Paolozzi and it’s no wonder they were crowned ‘Best Pizza in Edinburgh’ by a prominent reviewer for The Times!

THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT PAOLOZZI

• They have a special menu for vegans, vegetarians and gluten free

• They are disabled accessible with entrance straight off the street and disabled toilets on restaurant level

• The bus stop is directly opposite their door or around the corner on Forrest Road

• They are not dog friendly

Paolozzi Restaurant and Bar, 59-61 Forrest Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2QP www.paolozzirestaurantandbar.co.uk

My Spoon Award : Tartan Spoon 10/10

I was invited by Paolozzi to review their menu.

Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.

TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.

Adele is a writer, reviewer, judge and panelist living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards.

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