This week, we visited a hidden restaurant which is tucked away in the Old Town that serves indulgent menus created around different regions of Italy and it was the perfect setting for a romantic night out.
Divino Enoteca is an Italian restaurant and wine bar located on Merchant Street just off Candlemaker Row in the heart of the capital's charming city centre.
As soon as you step into the basement eatery, you are whisked away from the bustling city centre usually packed with punters and students at the nearby nightlife hot spot Cowgate.
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Stepping down the grand stairs into Divino, we instantly noticed the unique and stylish interior tastefully decorated with huge vintage champagne bottles and rustic candles.
We were then led into a stunning candlelit restaurant to a beautifully set table to enjoy some fizz before being introduced to the menu that was curated around the Trentino Alto Adige region.
Trentino Alto Adige is one of Italy's northern regions, bordering Austria and Switzerland and is known for its speck and filled pasta which we were eager to try.
We were treated to three courses, starting with the Canederli allo Speck - light Alpine-style dumplings served in a rich veal broth - which is a legacy of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
We also had Spatzle con Porri, Asiago e Noci, a creamy dish consisting of small fresh egg pasta tossed with leeks, walnuts and Asiago cheese.
Next was mains and we tried a lightly smoked Barbary Duck breast with tangy rhubarb sauce and buttery Pomme Cocotte and a Gnocci alla Trevigiano.
Tossed in a velvety rich sauce of Radicchio Trevigiano and aged Grana Padano cheese, the gnocchi tasted sublime with the strong punching flavours.
The potatoes paired with the rare duck breast were like clouds, they were so light and fluffy and perfectly complemented the subtle smokiness of the meat and powerful rhubarb sauce.
Each course was paired with a unique wine and an explanation of notes to look out for by the wonderful sommelier who returned to our table throughout the night.
For dessert, we had one of each dish. I enjoyed a cheese board with some of the finest cheeses from the region including a 20-month-aged Grana Padano with a slice of strawberry which was to die for.
My partner had the indulgent Strudel di Mele which was an Italian take on the Viennese classic with a much lighter pastry filled with apples, raisins and pine nuts.
Every wine we tried was unique with subtle flavours that really matched the food beautifully - including a Pinot Grigio from the region that tasted more similar to a Reisling with its soft aftertaste.
After spending a couple of hours being indulged in fine Italian food, delicate wines and fantastic service in this wonderful setting it really felt like we had left Edinburgh for an evening.
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The sommelier who looked after us for the night mentioned at the end they had actually been short-staffed during the night, which came as a shock to me as the hospitality we received was some of the best I have had at a restaurant in Edinburgh.
The service ran smoothly in my ideal atmosphere when dining out - surrounded by happy customers in a lively and bustling restaurant.
With menus specially developed by Divino’s head chef Andrea Calistro, the restaurant will prepare regional menus on two Thursdays each month, with a new region featured every month in a three-course menu with canapés and petit fours for £39, with the option of matching regional wines for an additional £26.
In the following months, Divino will continue a journey through northern Italy with Veneto in April, before travelling down to the southern regions as we head towards summer - you can find the full schedule below.
Divino Regional Menu Schedule
February: Lombardy
March: Trentino Alto Adige
April: Veneto
May: Tuscany
June: Campania
July: Sicily
August: no regional nights scheduled
September: Sardinia
October: Lazio
November: Emilia Romagna
For each event, the regional menu will be available for all bookings throughout the evening, in place of the normal a la carte offering. Diners can choose between meat and vegetarian menus.
Dates and full menu and allergen info will be available in the month leading up to each regional event. You can find out more and book here.
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