BELLA ITALIA

About two months ago I met Mary and Janey in Bella Italia on the third floor of Ocean Terminal. They had been there for lunch and I met them after for a cup of coffee.

I was pleasantly surprised, not being a fan of either chain or Italian restaurants.  There were lots of Italian prints and old pictures of Italy on the orangey yellow walls.  One was completely covered with a massive map of Italy.  It had great views over the harbour and across to Fife.  I was very impressed with the child friendly pack of multi-coloured pencil and book of puzzles and colouring in.  My honorary niece, Janey loved it, and it gave her mother and I time to catch up.  Of course we got roped in to help, but that is the price you pay when meeting with a 5 year old.

I can’t really tell you how the food was other than Mary liked her Casarecci Pollo Limone, but it isn’t served now as the menus have changed.  Janey wasn’t too impressed by the meatballs but she often isn’t impressed by new food.  I did have a mini ciabelline, which was a bread stick with a lovely garlic butter dipping sauce that was good, if fattening! 

I shared the mini donuts in chocolate sauce with Mary, the donuts were so overcooked they were almost inedible but the sauce was so gorgeous it almost made up for it.  Janey finished it with her ice cream.  My mochaccino wasn’t as sweet as I was expecting as it was proper dark chocolate on top which is probably how it is meant to be.  I didn’t drink coffee for years and have only just started developing a serious coffee habit, so haven’t got past the foam on a great cappuccino.

To get to the very nice toilets you walked along a small corridor.  It was hung with 30’s Italian posters which were really interesting and colourful.  I thought it was a bit of a waste hanging them there but they wouldn’t have suited the decor in the rest of restaurant.

I would recommend this restaurant to people with children as the food is acceptable and the ambiance is good but I wouldn’t go there for fine dining.

Contact details:- Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 7DZ, 0131 555 6700 www.beliaitalia.co.uk/italian-restaurant/edinburgh-ocean-terminal