Launch of Toscanino

Independent Edinburgh food business Toscano has launched its new Toscanino concept on Forrest Road, introducing a faster, more flexible format designed around value, portion choice and customer preference.

Toscano is a family-owned, Scottish-Italian gourmet sandwich brand, specialising in Tuscan schiacciata (flatbread) sandwiches made with premium ingredients.

Toscanino offers Toscano's signature, Tuscan schiacciata sandwiches in a ‘grab-and-go’ format, with ready-made half portions priced between £5 and £6.

Customers can choose a half portion for a smaller meal or lower-cost option or combine two halves. The sandwiches use similar ingredients and standards as those served at Toscano's existing outlets in Bruntsfield and Blair Street.

For Toscano's co-founders Ilaria and Valentino Pia, the launch represents an evolution of the business rather than simply another location.

Ilaria said: “We've always been proud of the size and generosity of the sandwiches we serve at Toscano, but we also know that people don't always want or need a full sandwich.

“Sometimes you want something smaller, sometimes you're watching what you're spending, and sometimes you just want to try two different fillings. Toscanino gives people that choice rather than asking everyone to buy the same size.

“We're particularly conscious that students have a lot of competing costs, but this isn't just a student offer. It's about giving anyone who comes in more flexibility over what they spend and how much they eat.”

Valentino commented: “We wanted to look at the business from the customer's point of view and ask what could make it even easier to choose Toscano.

“We believe in the food we serve. It's not about changing the ingredients or lowering the standard. It's about changing the format. A smaller portion at a lower price means people can spend less if that's what they want, while someone hungrier can still have two halves.

“We've been planning this for a while, and seeing Toscanino open and welcoming customers through the door has been really exciting," he added.

@toscaninoedinburgh

Pictured left-right: Valentino and Ilaria Pia