Brunswick Book Club, a new neighbourhood cafébar from the Vittoria Group has opened in Edinburgh. The venue, on Brunswick Street, is located on the site of the group’s first restaurant, Vittoria, on Leith Walk which was established in 1970 and is a 3-generation familyrun business. However, Vittoria on The Walk has not been forgotten with the entrance moving onto the Brunswick Road corner and having also undergone a full refurbishment.
The tour begins at the Brunswick Book Club, a new café-bar that offers a contemporary take on the classic public house. With seating for up to 65 people indoors and 70 outdoors, it is open from 10am till late and provides a variety of comfort food options as well as entertainment such as live music and quizzes.
It certainly has a real community feel. Speaking of the refurb, Vittoria Group Director and co-owner of Brunswick Book Club Leandro Crolla said, “We proudly welcome Brunswick Book Club to Leith Walk that serves a ‘new look’ for an ever-changing neighbourhood. Our menu is affordable and has something for everyone that’s hearty, unfussy and delicious with the drinks to match. This unit has been part of the group for over 50 years since our Nonno opened it, so we need make him proud.”
The exterior has been stripped back to the original antique signage and exposed brick. You can even sneak a peek at the old ‘Stationery and fancy goods’ sign from years gone by. The more modern window and door surrounds have been painted a dark blue which is offset by bright yellow signage and a beautiful ornate clock that extends out from the corner. Everything has been smartly branded in their trademark colour scheme from the clock to the doormat and even the planters that surround their large outdoor terrace. I have no doubt this will be very popular, even more so due to the heaters and blankets that are provided for the chillier evenings.
The interior design and branding have been handled by Studio So who say, “Positioned overlooking the historic library on McDonald Road, we drew inspiration from the library’s sense of community, inclusiveness, and belonging. Our aim 
was to create a real local gem with roots in Leith, blending contemporary elements with local culture. The result is a captivating space with understated charm, fostering connections and a hint of nostalgia. From vintage books and ‘Mary’ the spirited librarian, to the iconic rebellious seagull, every detail pays homage to Leith’s essence.”
The design elements are certainly stunning. Upon entering the striking colour scheme continues with patterned blue and yellow vertical metro tiles behind the bar and yellow horizontal tiles across the bar front. The floor breaks from the theme and introduces a black and white mosaic pattern which is echoed on the bar stools.
There are also brown leather high booths in this area coupled with modern yellow leather tall chairs. Frosted long yellow cylinder pendant lights with a black trim are suspended from metal chains above the bar and bulbs are dotted around the entire ceiling creating a welcoming warmth.
Moving from the bar area up a few small stairs into the second room the ‘bookclub’ theme is fully realised with a curved bookcase in the centre which acts as partition. This is filled with books, nik naks and leafy potted plants. The statement lights here are long pendant lights which have the illusion of flicking through the pages of a book.
There are so many layers in the design – from a white bare brick wall with planting cascading from the top to the stunning mirrored ceiling which reflects the light from the large windows. The other walls have a dark blue dado, trimmed with the same horizontal tiling used in the bar area, and which gives way to a more muted white Venetian plaster. These are decorated with various framed photos and artwork which have been lit with picture lights. The back wall is painted with the slogan ‘Good stories have great characters’.
The furniture encompasses a range of different designs, textures and heights – from beautifully upholstered low lounge chairs to dark brown chesterfield style banquettes and wooden rattan backed dining chairs. These give the area a real homely, comfortable feel and make it perfect to relax in.
Brunswick Book Club and Vittoria may have separate entrances however they are also connected through an internal passageway with the large the modern kitchen in the centre which provides the food for both venues. In saying that both venues will act completely independently with different staff, uniforms, and offerings.
The second venue, Vittoria on the Walk, also has a fantastic new look giving it a stylish, fresh but authentic Italian feel. From the chequered floor to the plush booth seating, bright orange dining chairs and modern gold orb lights, it too is certainly a feast for the eyes.
Whilst in Vittoria a visit to the toilet is most certainly in order if only to look at the collection of framed pictures on the walls. These display, not just the history of the building, but the history of the Crolla family as the business has passed from generation to generation over the past 55 years. It’s a wonderful personal touch and I look forward to seeing many more family photographs being added to it over the years to come.