"It was a quiet Monday night as we rolled up to Al Dente on Easter Road, a tiny Italian restaurant that sits unassumingly half-way down Easter Road. You’re instantly drawn to the Ospitalia Italiana gold award proudly stamped into its façade; in my experience, these less glamourous eateries always turn out to be a winner. There’s an open kitchen, and chef/owner Graziano is gabbing away in his native tongue to a friend. On entering, he is swiftly out to greet us, alongside our waitress for the evening. The Italian excitedly takes us through today’s specials and retreats back behind the stove. My starter tonight is warm-baked Apulian potato tart with cured meat and mozzarella £5.30), with Sarah going for ‘Sautee de pesce’ priced at £6.80. The dining room is immediately awash with the wonderful aromas of garlic and white wine, and with one large breath drawn in, Sarah boldly states “Mmmm, it doesn’t get better than that”. She might be right. Her dish comes out first and I was glad to see just a simple plate of mussels, calamari, prawns, clams, and a decent chunk of good bread to soak us those juices. The last time we ordered this in a restaurant the shellfish were full of grit; thankfully, this chef has given his produce the respect it deserves, and that respect extends to the cooking of it – simple, but effective, the way it should be. My dish was equally as good: quality ham, gooey cheese, crunchy top and potatoes with a slight bite to them – a dish most suited to this cold winter evening. Another couple of Italian gentlemen entered the restaurant and the banter between chef and customer flowed. It’s a definite indicator of authenticity when fellow countrymen dine in such restaurants, and a far cry from the more generic offerings that lie over on Leith Walk. I opted for one of the specials in the form of pork loin with gorgonzola, honey, and roasted vegetables £14.80). This plate is never going to win any awards for presentation, but its rusticity wasn’t without"
