Located at the former RBS site at 61 Forrest Road in Edinburgh, the restaurant is named after the Edinburgh-born ‘Father of Pop Art’, Eduardo Paolozzi, and will combine beer, food and art to celebrate the Great Scot and wider Italian Scottish culture.
Beer fans can look forward to a fresh pint of the Beer Factory's flagship and award-winning Paolozzi lager, which features Eduardo’s ‘Illumination and the Eye’ screenprint on its packaging.
Taps of fresh Paolozzi lager and other beers from the EBF range, brewed less than five miles from the Restaurant & Bar, will be available to wash down the delicious ‘Italian Scottish’ food offering.
The menu has been designed by Gino, who will run the operation, and features ‘spuntini’ (Italian tapas-style sharing dishes served at the bar), antipasti, fresh salads, ‘build your own’ salumi and cheese plates, Naples style wood-fired pizza and some classic larger plates.
Picture: Paolozzi lager
Dishes will be created using ingredients from local producers alongside premium international imports. Gino owned and managed the successful Nonna’s Kitchen restaurant in Edinburgh’s Churchill, after working in Hanover Street’s Patio restaurant, alongside his parents in both venues.
Nonna’s Kitchen was an early customer of Edinburgh Beer Factory, and the Dunsmore family have been loyal patrons of the restaurant since its launch.
Eduardo Paolozzi artwork will adorn the walls and the interior design has a distinctly Paolozzi feel, with geometric shapes, contrasting textures and bright colour accents.
A sculptural bar will dominate the front area of the venue, with walk-in space and casual seating, while a cupola is being installed in the back of the space, bringing natural light to the dining tables and a touch of the outdoors to the former bank recesses.
The old bank deposit vaults are being transformed into colourful toilets, which will play audio clips of stories about Eduardo Paolozzi and some of his works.
Speaking of the new venture, Gino Stornaiuolo said: “This partnership evolved from two family businesses with shared values of independence, accessible quality and a love of Edinburgh’s international culture and creativity.
"We hope to enrich the city’s thriving independent food and drink scene while promoting one of its great unsung heroes.”
Paolozzi Restaurant & Bar is due to open to the public for lunch, dinner, coffee and drinks from March 2020, and will take bookings via phone and online.
Edinburgh Beer Factory to keep stunning ghost sign uncovered during work on new Paolozzi bar
