Every morning, someone from Gio’s kitchen (often Gio himself) can be seen feeding freshly-made dough into the gleaming chrome pasta makers at the front of his corner restaurant. This handmade pasta then steals the show at dinner, in a nod to artisanry that is a very welcome addition to Slateford, where dining options (outside of takeaways and chains) is severely limited.

Even an early midweek booking sees nearly every table full. Signature ‘Giogronis’ (a standard Negroni), spritzes and frozen slushy cocktails are sipped to a classy backdrop of exposed brick and greenery. The vibe is fun and unfussy, with a hint of sophistication. Kids are welcomed with crayons and colouring pencils and there’s plenty of room for groups. Couples share bottles from the all-Italian, incredibly affordable wine list. For a pre-dinner snack, the fried olives sound like a potential abomination: Scotland meets Italy in the worst possible way. But they’re a tasty, salty appetiser that complement a spritz nicely.

There are few surprises in the starters: arancini, bruschetta and fried calamari all feature, and chilli prawns come with a kick of heat, drowning in a fresh tomato sauce. The menu shines brightest on that pasta though. Ribbons of mafaldine in homemade pesto have a perfect texture: squishy with a little resistance in each bite. Topped with creamy burrata and the added zing of sun-dried tomatoes, it’s a well-balanced dish. Fettuccini ragù features tender beef that flakes like it’s been slow-cooked for hours. 

While there’s also a crowd-pleasing selection of pizza and mains, skipping the pasta would be a big mistake. With a buzzing atmosphere and affordable wines, Gio’s has all the ingredients to become a firm local favourite, no doubt to the delight of the people of Slateford. 

Gio’s, 39−41 Slateford Road, Edinburgh; average price £25 for two courses.