THE ribbon has been cut for the opening of Scotland’s largest fish and chip restaurant.
Edinburgh-based Vittoria Group have opened Bertie’s Restaurant and Bar in Victoria Street in the capital’s Old Town after a £3m refurbishment of what was formerly St John’s Church.
The venture is Vittoria’s first foray beyond the Italian food markets, having opened their first restaurant in Leith in 1970.
A total of 50 new jobs have been created by the expansion.
The 11,000 sq ft complex offers a menu that aims to reinvent traditional chip shop dishes.
The menu also features several light options for less than £10, as well as vegan fish and chips and a variety of vegetarian dishes.
Bertie’s cocktail menu, meanwhile, is designed to mix Scots ingredients “with the zest of the seaside”. Among the more eye-catching offerings are the Irn-Bru spritz – Irn-Bru with prosecco, apérol and angostura – and a Buckfast bramble – a combination of gin and Buckfast.
“We are very proud to open Scotland’s biggest fish and chip restaurant here in Edinburgh,” Vittoria Group chairman, Tony Crolla, said. “The thriving Old Town is the perfect place to continue driving our restaurant business to new and old customers alike.
“Bertie’s Restaurant and Bar will offer something for everyone visiting the city as well as those locally who have continued to support our business growth through the decades.”
Local design team MD Hospitality, along with the main contractor Pride Commercial Interiors, were appointed by Vittoria to manage the £3 million refurbishment of the new restaurant.
Michael Dunn of MD Hospitality, believes they have created a “magical space”.
He commented: “Our design brief was to create a restaurant space of theatre, fun and excitement. We wanted Bertie’s customers to feel wonderful while they dined in a magical space.
“We believe this is what we have created over three floors embracing many of the original features of the former St John’s Church on Victoria Street.”
Vittoria Group are also behind Italian restaurant brands Divino, Vittoria on the Bridge, Vittoria on the Walk, La Favorita and La Favorita Delivered as well as Taste of Italy.
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