ITRI CHOCOLATE NIGHT

For the chocolate lovers yesterday at ITRI has been a great night!

This was a real particular night, everything made with chocolate, from starters to dessert.
Every one has enjoyed it and we want to thank you all those that were with us last night.

Have a look at what you missed:

Trofie pasta with butternut squash cream and drizzled with chocolate

itri chocolate pasta

Scottish venison with herbs and dark chocolate served with mash potatoes

itri chocolate venison

Trio of chocolate tart, chocolate mousse and chocolate salami

itri chocolate night dessert

Thank you again to everyone.

Ciao

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Written by Itri on 18 February 2010 | Posted in All News Entries, Events

The new ITRI look

If you haven`t been at ITRI recently you probably
haven`t seen the new ITRI look.
Almost everyone knows that here at ITRI we care more about the food rather than the decor… Now we are trying to fix the look as well…

New look at ITRI

We strive to offer the best Italian cooking in town and we want you
to enjoy it as much as possible.

Come at Itri to see the new brick style

We are waiting for you to come!

Ciao

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Written by Itri on 17 February 2010 | Posted in All News Entries

The Italian Christmas

THE ITALIAN CHRISTMAS

Have you ever spent Christmas in Italy?
Christmas in Italy is a big affair, with lots of celebrating, visiting family and, of course, lots of food (with meals lasting for hours!).
Officially Christmas in Italy starts on the 8th of December with the “Immacolata” and with the first of the special Christmas meal. Typical dishes of the Immacolata are, especially in the south, “Pettole“(or zeppole), and also the famous “Baccala`” that could be fried, marinated or steamed.
In terms of food, the biggest meal is definitely the Christmas Eve one.
This is probably the most important night for few reason. First of all the religious side, at midnight Jesus will born. Also because is the biggest meal of all the celebrations (something you`ve been looking forward to) and the presents are opened on that night too. Sometimes during the meal between the first and second course.
The Christian tradition would not allowed to eat meat on that night and that`s why on the Christmas Eve,
Italians use to eat only fish based dishes (sometimes a stuffed turkey could appear on the table). Typycal dishes are “Linguine with vongole” and “Capitone” and maybe other 8/10 contorni.

The meal is followed by a variety of Christmas desserts like Panettone, Panforte or Torrone and obviously a nice glass of Spumante.

Il panettone

The big meal ends just in time for the midnight celebration (when Jesus borns) with fireworks and with the baby Jesus placed in the Presepe. The night will end playing “Tombola” or other cards game.
Then you will go to bed exhausted but looking forward to the next day’s big Christmas lunch.

On the 25th the lunch will definitely be “Pasta al forno or Cannelloni” followed by Agnello arrostito and vegetables. Again Panettone, panforte and torrone are the desserts.
The lunch meal will last until dinner time and will probably end start eating again.

In every home you`ll get in, you`ll find on the table a big pot with dried fruits like dates and figs,
the Christmas threes with boxes of chocolate and panettone under it.

For the new year`s eve how to forget the Zampone e Lenticchie, the dish supposed to bring richness. Every party around the country will serve this dish at midnight.

Zampone e lenticchie

Italy is a country with many ethnic and cultural influences, so Christmas traditions are diverse and cannot be generalized.

All the celebrations will last until the 6th of January, day when the “Befana” comes and brings the last presents. Italy doesn’t have the tradition of Father Christmas. Instead they have this good witch like woman (Befana) who leaves presents for children on the night of Epiphany if they are good – or black coal (il carbone) if they have been bad.
You will see ‘coal’ sweets all around Italy at this time of year made from black sugar.

So be good this Christmas otherwise you`ll have “Tanto Carbone alla Befana”!!!

Itri wishes you all a merry merry Christmas.

See you soon!

Glossary
- Immacolata(Immaculate conception): the Immaculate Conception is, according to Roman Catholic Dogma, the conception of the Virgin Mary without any stain (macula in Latin) of original sin. It`s celebrated on the 8th of December.
- Pettole: deep fried pizza dough sometimes stuffed with anchovies (depending on the area).
- Baccala`: salted cod.
- Vongole: clams.
- Capitone: big female eel.
- Contorni: contorni means side dishes. Typical are calamari fritti (fried squid), insalata di mare(sea food salad), fritto misto di verdure (deep fried mixed vegetables), mandarini e castagne(mandarin and chestnut),
- Panettone: is the tall, fruit-filled Italian sweet bread that is served only at Christmas.
- Panforte: a heavenly mixture of honey, spices, candied fruit, and almonds.
- Torrone: is a nougat candy, typically made of honey, sugar, and egg white, with toasted almonds or other nuts, and usually shaped into either a rectangular tablet or a round cake.
- Spumante: Italian sweet Champagne.
- Presepe: creche, Christmas nativity.
- Tombola: bingo.
- Zampone e linticchie: stuffed pigs trotter with lentils.

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Written by Itri on 16 December 2009 | Posted in All News Entries, Did you know that..., Events

RADIO FORTH AWARDS 2009: And the winner is….ITRI!!!

Yes that`s right!
The winner is ITRI for the “FORTH2 Best bar/restaurant 2009″ voted by the public of Edinburgh, Lothian and Fife. Wednesday 18th of November a big ceremony was held in the Capital`s Assembly Room. Lots the famous guest that attended the awards: from the SPANDAU BALLET to the SUGABABES. Also a standing ovation was given in memory of fallen firefighter Ewan Williamson.

Itri Restaurant won the “FORTH2 best bar/restaurant 2009″ awards voted by the member of the public. We want to thank you all the people who voted for us. You really make us very very proud.

itri radio forth awards

radio forth awards the winner

All the categories and winners are:

FORTH2 Best Bar or Restaurant Award with The Branding Company
Winner: ITRI, Edinburgh

Forth One Best Artist Award with Victor Paris
Winner: Sugababes

Forth One Best Place to Work Award with Ocean Terminal
Winner: Apex Hotels, Edinburgh

Forth One Fringe Award
Winner: Adam Hills

Forth One Best Teacher Award with FFDR
Winner: Alison Syme, Collydean Primary School, Glenrothes

The Forth One to Watch Award with the Liquid Rooms
Winner: Dirty Modern Hero

FORTH2 Contribution to Music Award with Ocean Terminal
Winner: Spandau Ballet

FORTH2 Contribution to Sports Award with Buyrite Bathrooms
Winner: Jim Leishman

FORTH2 Favourite Visitor Attraction Award with Continental Airlines
Winner: Dynamic Earth

FORTH2 Best Performance Award with Heritage Portfolio
Winner: The Noisettes – T in the Park

Radio Forth Local Hero Award with The Edinburgh Evening News
Winner: The Green Watch at Tollcross Fire station (in memory of Ewan Williamson)

Radio Forth Cash for Kids Award with Edinburgh City Private Hire
Winner: The Special Needs Information Point

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Written by Itri on 19 November 2009 | Posted in All News Entries, Reviews

ITRI FOOD TASTING

Another great night at ITRI.
The ITRI FOOD TASTING.

8 course menu, each a series of small focused dishes that all feature distinct ingredients. What we want you to experience is that sense of surprise when you taste something so delicious, so exciting, so comforting you think “WOW” and it’s gone. And another one comes.

Carpaccio di pescespada
Thinly sliced sword fish marinated with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

itri-swordfish-carpaccio

Capesante alla pancetta
Fresh scallop wrapped with Italian pancetta, pan fried with olive oil, garlic, porcini mushroom, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.

itri-scallop

Melanzana ripiena
Fresh aubergine stuffed with prawns, bread crumb, cherry tomatoes and scamorza cheese. Oven baked and served on a bed of tomato sauce.

itri-stuffed-aubergine

Medaglioni di calamaro
Fresh calamari stuffed with green peas, egg and pancetta. Pan fried with olive oil, garlic and white wine.

itri-stuffed-calamari

Bocconcini di rana pescatrice
Fresh steamed monk fish drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and parsley. Served on a mini potatoes omelette.

itri monkfish

Provolone alla piastra and involtino di prosciutto crudo
Parma ham roulade stuffed with mozzarella cheese and char grilled Provolone cheese served on a bed of radicchio salad and finished with a touch of honey.

itri provolone and Parma ham

Sfogliatelle
Typical Neapolitan dessert

itri sfogliatelle

Thank you all again…

See you soon

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Written by Itri on 14 November 2009 | Posted in All News Entries

ITRI @ THE RADIO FORTH AWARDS 2009

ITRI has been nominated by the people for THE RADIO FORTH AWARDS 2009 for
the BEST BAR OR RESTAURANT AWARD.
The judges placed us in the top three nominations so we have a great chance of winning this prestigious award.

We want to thank anyone who made this possible!

ITRI has been nominated for the Radio Forth Awards 2009

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Written by Itri on 05 November 2009 | Posted in All News Entries, Reviews

Did you know that…

..there are 3500 different shapes of pasta?

Pasta is one of the most used food in the whole world and especially in Italy.
It is made from an unleavened dough made from flour and water or eggs and water. Sometimes a combination of eggs and flour.

Pasta is categorised in two main styles: dried and fresh pasta.
Gnocchi (dumpling potatoes) are also considered pasta.
The dried one could be stored for up to two years, while fresh pasta
will keep for two/three days in a refrigerator.

Different pasta shapes

Pasta must be cooked “AL DENTE” (not too soft) and that also means
it is freshly cooked (outside Italy is easy to find pre-cooked pasta,
especially in restaurants, to save time but you are going to lose in flavours).

So when you are in a restaurant ask for pasta AL DENTE.
When you`ll receive the dish will be easy for you to recognize if
it is freshly cooked or just pre-cooked and then warmed up.

Itri home made fresh pasta

Ciao
See you soon…

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Written by Itri on 22 October 2009 | Posted in All News Entries, Did you know that...

ITRI – Lick your fingers – Another great night

Hello everyone,
yesterday has been another great night and we want to thank everyone who made the restaurant fully booked again.
Lick your fingers was a different way to try our great food.
Lots of small home made Italian specialities.

Italy is famous for its particular and genuine fast food.
We tried to combine this kind of food with our slow food attitude.

Panini Napoletani

So the “Lick your fingers night” comes up, and people really enjoyed that…

Panini napoletani (stuffed pizza dough), arancini (rice balls), rustici (stuffed puff pastry) and also monkfish, scallops and a fantastic home made dessert with baci di fragola (Strawberry kisses – sweet puff pastry with cream and strawberry) and bigne`.

Scallops and courgettes

With our special nights we try to let people know the real love of the Italians for food and also to show them the real Italian stuff. Not just pasta and pizza.

Baci di fragola

Itri - Lick your fingers night

See you soon!

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Written by Itri on 21 October 2009 | Posted in All News Entries, Events

The Italian food

Being an Italian restaurant we couldn`t start our blog without an article on the Italian food. Italians are obsessed by food. In Italy you won`t be able to end a lunch without the questions ” what are we going to eat tonight?”.
The most important aspect of the Italian cuisine is SIMPLICITY, combined with immagination and great products.

When I say simplicity I mean very simple stuff.

One of the most popular dishes in Italy is “Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino”(garlic, oil and chilli). Almost embarrassing for the poorness of the ingredients but unbelievably tasting and also ready in ten minutes. This is probably what makes Italians different in terms of food. Even when the fridge is empty they will be able to cook something great.

Itri - spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino

This is the main philosophy of ITRI.

Simple food that tastes incredible!

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Written by Itri on 10 October 2009 | Posted in All News Entries

I-TRIp: SICILY NIGHT

Yesterday we`ve been to Sicily for another appointment of the I-TRIp, the culinary trip through the regions of Italy. The restaurant was full and everyone enjoyed the food.

The best dish was probably the “risotto al nero di seppia” (squid ink risotto) very typical dish of the Sicilia.

Itri squid ink risotto Sicily Night

Every menu for the I-TRIp consist in 4 courses, a wee starter, a pasta dish, a main course and dessert.
The Sicilia night menu was:
- Plum tomato stuffed with king prawns, black olives and anchovies
- Squid ink risotto
- Swordfish with green peas
- Cassata Siciliana (sponge cake with ricotta cheese, chocolate, candied fruits and covered with marzipan)

ITRI - Stuffed tomato - Sicily Night

Thank you to every one was here last night.

Has been a pleasure for us.

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Written by Itri on 08 October 2009 | Posted in All News Entries, Events