The family-run Sambuca Restaurant flies the Italian flag well. The restaurant brims with light-hearted charm and authentic cuisine. The rain outside was the only tell-tale sign of Scotland; inside, we shared a taste of the Continent. As diners jovially indulged in gorgeously creamy lasagnes and stone-baked pizzas, it was hard to know where to begin. Keeping things simple, we opted for vegetarian starters. The minestrone soup was hearty and wholesome and the bruschetta’s ensemble of perfectly ripe tomatoes and basil summed up the freshness of the kitchen’s produce in a nutshell. The penne pasta with tomato and garlic was given a flamboyant kick with a dash of fresh chilli, and the chicken with white wine, cream and mushrooms was a perfect example of how to do things right – something Sambuca Restaurant seems to manage with ease.