FOOD : Vapiano, Edinburgh

How many of you check out the restaurant menu online and plan what you are having prior to dining? I do. I knew what I was having 5 days ago, so when I woke up this morning, I was so excited because I knew that come lunchtime, my head would be buried in a large bowl of creamy pasta. And I was right!

REVIEW OF VAPIANO, EDINBURGH

Vapiano, reopened its Edinburgh doors less than 2 weeks ago and so many of you have visited in your droves. It’s a very popular Italian eatery, with huge portions, fresh food at decent prices. This is carb heaven; there is no way you leave hungry!

If you’ve never visited or need a wee memory jolt, Vapiano is located just off St Andrews Sq, on South Saint David Street, a stones throw from the Scots Monument. It’s a massive venue covering three floors with a mix of communal seating and individual tables and chairs for two and larger groups. The pasta and pizzas are all made fresh on the premises, with your pasta dishes then being tailormade and cooked in their open plan kitchens.

Due to Covid, service has changed from ordering your food at the chef counters to now ordering and paying directly through the app, with table service. I much prefer this new way although it is pretty cool to watch the chefs create some magic with your food.

Seeing as Halloween passed without incident, we thought it best to continue to keep the vampires at bay, and started our lunch off with thick slices of Cheesy Garlic Bread (£6.45). The base was thin and crispy with the crust soft and chewy (definitely some hocus pocus going on right there!) with a beautiful cheese layer of melted and bubbling cheese. I didn’t find this bread very garlicy at all, but after our main dishes, I am glad for this.

My pasta dish was the Tagliatelle Carbonara with garlic (of course) and cheese on top - £11.45. The pasta was perfect, soft and silky, with the slightest bite, interspersed with bacon bits and a thin creamy sauce. Being over critical, I though the sauce was a little too thin for the chosen pasta as it didn’t coat it that well and I had to keep dunking the pasta back into the pool of sauce at the bottom of the dish.

Carmin chose the Linguine Bolognese with garlic (of course! Do you see the theme developing here?!)) and cheese on top - £11.45. This was gorgeous; with the pasta cooked to perfection. The right sauce with the right pasta meant that each pasta ribbon was coated in this deep rich tomato ragu.

15 minutes of silence, broken only by some slurping, meant we presented two completely devoured and clean bowls of pasta.

Did we have room for those sexy wee dessert pots of Tiramisu or Cioccolata Bianca - £3.25? Not a chance. Every corner of our bellies were stuffed full.

Service here was pleasant, friendly and efficient. I loved that the plates were whisked away soon after finishing. I know that Vapiano is a chain and not an independent eatery, but this place is budget friendly, close to Waverley Train Station, tram and bus stops; is large enough to accommodate large groups, families with children, and those that just want to escape at lunchtime and sit on their own, read a book and eat pasta!

Grazie Mille Vapiano, I am glad that you are back open again.

Vapiano, South Saint David Street, Edinburgh EH2 2BW www.uk.vapiano.com/restaurant/vapiano-edinburgh/

My Spoon Award - Gold 9/10

I was invited by Vapiano to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.