'It's been incredibly special' - Edinburgh restaurant owners retire after almost 50 years in business

An Edinburgh couple have put their feet up after running restaurants in the Capital since the 60s.
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Carmela and Mimmo Stornaiuolo ran Nonna’s Kitchen in Morningside with their son Gino until March this year when it was forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Before that, the family were running the former Patio Restaurant in Hanover Street, which opened in 1968.

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After almost 50 years in the trade, Carmela and Mimmo have officially retired and plan to spend their newfound free time exploring more of the two countries where their roots lie –Scotland and Italy.

From back left to right: Mimmo, Gino and Carmela Stornaiuolo, and in front is Jimmy Morrison and Gino's sons Luca and Gabriel picture: Gino StornaiuoloFrom back left to right: Mimmo, Gino and Carmela Stornaiuolo, and in front is Jimmy Morrison and Gino's sons Luca and Gabriel picture: Gino Stornaiuolo
From back left to right: Mimmo, Gino and Carmela Stornaiuolo, and in front is Jimmy Morrison and Gino's sons Luca and Gabriel picture: Gino Stornaiuolo

Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, Carmela, 69, talked about her fond memories of running restaurants in the Capital.

"It’s been so special,” she said, emotion in her voice.

"I started working at The Patio when I was about 15 and have made so many wonderful friends over the years with customers both there and Nonna’s.

"I felt very touched at how much our customers came back, became friends, and made sure they didn’t miss any special occasion in the family.

"We are certainly going to miss it.”

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After The Patio closed in 2008, the Stornaiuolo family opened Nonna’s Kitchen two years later and decided that Gino was going to run it.

"We only planned to help our son for about six months, but we ended up staying for ten years,” Carmela added, laughing at how the family’s plan turned out.

"Now that place has sold we are going to spend our time exploring the north of Scotland and Italy, where my husband and I were born.”

Gino, who opened a new bar and restaurant in March called Paolozzi, said he is pleased to see his parents can now take a well-deserved break after working in the field for such a long time.

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"It will be strange,” he said, “because we’ve all been working together for so long, but it’s time for them to put their feet up after working hard in the business for so long.

"After posting about Nonna’s Kitchen going up for sale recently, and mum and dad’s retirement, the response was amazing.

"You can tell people really loved the service and considered them friends.

"It’s a new chapter for us, and I have no doubt that mum and dad will be popping into the new place, they can’t help it."

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Gino also wanted to make a special mention to Jimmy Morrison who worked for his grandfather at The Patio and then for himself, Carmela and Mimmo at Nonna’s Kitchen as a waiter and manager until the restaurant’s closure in March.

"Jimmy is family to us,” Gino added.

"He’s been right by our family’s side all the way through.”

Gino’s new restaurant is a partnership between him and the Edinburgh Beer Factory.

It is named after artist Eduardo Paolozzi, who was born in Leith to Italian immigrant parents in 1924, and who went on to launch the Pop Art movement and become a globally influential artist in collage, screenprinting and sculpture.

Inspired by this philosophy, Edinburgh Beer Factory launched in 2015 with their flagship beer, ‘Paolozzi’ lager and have since expanded their collection, all of which feature artworks by Eduardo.

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Paolozzi Restaurant & Bar serves freshly brewed, local beers, Italian Scottish dishes and Eduardo Paolozzi art.

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