Aemilia, Portobello

Fresh, homemade artisan pasta in Porty

Living in Glasgow without a car, means that it can take far too long for us to visit places on our radar outside of greater Glasgow and Portobello is somewhere we have only vaguely explored. But we have good reason to make more of an effort, especially with businesses like Aemilia on Porty High Street.

Aemilia was born during the Covid lockdown by couple Kipras Preidys and Giada Betti. They combined their careers and love of real handmade food to create Made by Kip, which has re-branded to Aemilia.

Their shop is located in the heart of Portobello. It’s small with much of the space behind the counter taken up for fresh pasta making. The selection isn’t huge, and that’s why it works. A smaller collection of freshly-made artisan goodies.

On the menu on our visit were 5 types of pasta and 1 ready-made meal of braised beef shin lasagne. There are sauces, salsa di Pomodoro, 24 month parmesan cream and even desserts and hot chocolate on sale as well.

Aemilia is open Thursday to Sunday 10 am – 3 pm. If you want to sit in they have a banch with space for up to 4 people were fresh pasta dishes can be served at weekends. Due to a special event on the prior Friday, we were able to try some extra dishes. Keep an eye on their social media for up-to-date info.

Heres’ what we ate on our visit, starting with focaccia – crispy and salt topped with a spongy and puffy inside. The boing of the crumb is like the best mattress around, perfect for ‘la scarpetta’ AKA soaking up sauce or broth.

Tortellini with chicken broth. No arguing with me here, this is the way to eat tortellini. It just is. Eating this reminded me why Tortellini was my fave pasta growing up. Little parcels of meaty cheesiness in a light broth. Totally made for the current weather.

Next up, Cappellacci di zucca served with butter and balsamic.

More perfectly formed pasta. This time a larger shape, Cappellacci means bad hats LOL, these hats seemed stylish to us. Filled with pumpkin and surrounded in a decadent butter sauce with a drizzle of balsamic. Smooth, creamy and heavenly.

Finally….La Viña cheesecake and Amarena cherries. This Basque cheesecake isn’t as firm as a New York Cheesecake, it is lightly set so is much creamier. This means it can handle the firm and flavoursome Amarena cherries.

Aemilia delivers to Edinburgh and East Lothian addresses. They have also released their Christmas food menu. Place your order before the 14th of December to ensure it is secured.