Description: Valvona & Crolla is described as a specialty food and wine shop, but that hardly describes what delights can be found in the shop. They have two, one on Elm Road and one on Multrees Walk, both in New Town. The Elm location is the original. The Multrees location opened in late 2004. The Elm location has a small restaurant at the back. The Multrees has a larger restaurant on the upper floor, with a wine bar and deli on the ground level.
The overall orientation of the place is Italian, but the foods and wine includes much more than Italian. In the Elm location, which I particularly recommend, there are specialty items, like Italian soft drinks, chocolates, baskets of fresh baked breads, and an immense variety of dried pasta, but the prepared foods are the real treat. They include fresh pasta, cured meats, and cheeses. You can select what you want and take them home, or, if you're lucky enough to get a table, you can sample the menu at the restaurant.
The wine selection is extensive and particularly good for Italian wines. Prices are very reasonable. In addition to wine, the shop has other alcohol, including an extensive selection of single malt Scotch whiskey. There are also kitchen items, such as mugs, tea towels, and corkscrews. If it weren't too heavy to take home, I'd buy the mortar and pestle they sell.
If this sounds like another deli, it has to be one of the best anywhere. Most of the staff seems to be part of the Valvona and Crolla families, because they care about what they are doing. The staff is very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. It would be possible to spend hours browsing, and making a choice can be difficult. I stop in at Valvona & Crolla as often as I can during a stay in Edinburgh.
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