Seasonal Seafood in Musselburgh

I love having a ‘local’. Whether it be a hair salon, nail bar, chemist…it’s comforting to recognise faces, and know exactly what to expect. But what I love even more is when your local does what it does well, even better. Imagine my delight when I heard my local (which just happens to be one of Scotland’s best) seafood restaurants has launched a new seasonal dining concept to offer diners like me a fresh choice of limited-edition specials, changing monthly from May 2022. 

Andrea Bertazzolo, head chef at East Coast Restaurant on North High Street in Musselburgh, has created the new-line up of dishes to complement the firm favourites on the main menu, including some the best Scottish seafood, fresh pasta, gnocchi and risotto. 

In May, Andrea’s new special dishes on the menu at East Coast will include a mixed grill featuring the best Scottish langoustines, scallops and salmon. 

Andrea Bertazzolo, 36, from Edinburgh, has been a key ingredient for the success of East Coast since the restaurant opened its doors in 2018.  In 2021, Andrea led the kitchen team to win East Lothian’s ‘Best Seafood Restaurant’ of the year and runner up as best seafood establishment in Scotland in the Scottish Enterprise awards.Last year, East Coast also made it to the finals of Food Awards Scotland in the ‘Best Seafood Establishment – Scotland’ category - it really is a gem on our windy doorstep.

Originally from Biella in the northern Italian region of Piedmont, Andrea has over twenty years’ experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, including a number of roles in Italy, as well as Edinburgh’s five-star Prestonfield Hotel, Valvona and Crolla, as well as Harvey Nichols. 

Andrea takes his cooking inspiration from the lakes, mountains and sea around the north of Italy, as well as his mother’s traditional, home-cooked food that he remembers from his childhood. 

Food from Andrea’s home region of Piedmont is heavily influenced by classic French and Swiss cuisine. The slow cooking movement is also a big part of the food culture in this part of Italy, which has led Andrea to develop his passion for fresh, local, seasonal produce with big, bold, rich flavours. 

Andrea’s favourite comfort food dish on the East Coast menu is seafood cioppino, a traditional Italian rich broth made with fresh tomato sauce, catch of the day such as haddock, lemon sole or halibut, and shellfish such as mussels and clams, squid and tiger prawns, all topped with a Scottish langoustine and mopped up with freshly baked sourdough bread. This popular dish is also gluten free. 

Andrea is also king of the grill at East Coast, with his flair for barbecuing seafood, fish, steak and vegetables by flame. 

While living in Scotland, Andrea has taken his main cooking inspiration from Scotland’s natural larder and is a big fan of Scottish seafood, including prawns and langoustines.

In his role as head chef at East Coast, Andrea leads a kitchen of team of seven for lunch and dinner service from Wednesday to Sunday.

Commenting on his new seasonal dining concept at East Coast Restaurant in Musselburgh, Andrea Bertazzolo, said: ‘I was really keen to simplify our main menu, retain our firm favourites, but run a series of specials alongside it, which are more in season and supply dependent. We plan to change these specials every month throughout the year to keep offering our customers something fresh and exciting. 

‘I’m really proud to be at one of Edinburgh and East Lothian’s most popular family-run restaurants. Since joining East Coast from the very start in 2018, the restaurant has gone from strength to strength, quickly establishing its reputation for quality food and warm hospitality. I’m keen to build on that reputation with the launch of this new seasonal dining concept to mark the start of spring.’

Located just two minutes’ walk from Musselburgh beach on the outskirts of Edinburgh, East Coast is owned and operated by Carlo and Katia Crolla. The Crolla family has been serving the local community for nearly 50 years. Styles may change, but great flavours, family heritage and warm, friendly service remain as important to Katia and Carlo today as they did 48 years ago.

East Coast Restaurant owner, Carlo Crolla, said:‘We’re so proud to have Andrea as head chef at East Coast. He has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, including leading chef roles in both Italy and Edinburgh.

‘Andrea’s food heritage and cooking style is a perfect fit for East Coast, where we showcase the best local and seasonal produce we can source, with big, bold flavours. It’s the perfect fusion of traditional Italian cooking with contemporary Scottish hospitality and style.’

Fancy a trip to the Coast? For more information on and East Coast Fish & Chips and East Coast Restaurant, visit: https://eastcoastrestaurant.co.uk and follow on social media, including Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EastCoastMusselburgh and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eastcoastmusselburgh