A new restaurant has unveiled its much-anticipated opening date.
Nostrana on Hyndland Road will open to the public on September 1 - next Thursday, a week today.
Staff training and last-minute preparations have been well under way for several days.
And outside seating was set out this week for publicity shots - raising expectations that the restaurant had already opened.
But owner Marco Stevenson said there were still jobs to do before the big day.
“We just need a few more days to get things right.
'Nearly there'
“We can’t wait to get people in and show them what we’re about.
“I am telling people passing by all the time, not yet, not yet. Nearly there.”
The opening marks the culmination of a six-month fit-out and transformation of the legendary Pizza Magic takeaway and former Tabak local store next to Old Station Park in Hyndland.
The building, from 1912 and part of a row of local shops and businesses, was once a ticket office for the former Hyndland Station which stood next-door until it was demolished in 1970.
Bright
Nostrana (meaning 'local' in Italian) will serve freshly-made handcrafted pizza, pastas, mains, snacks and desserts.
Fully-licensed and serving fresh coffee, draft beers, cocktails, and organic wines, the restaurant will be "something for everyone", offering a takeaway service as well as dine-in.
With seating for more than 100 people, the offering has a bright and airy modern interior and outside seating next to the park and fronting Hyndland Road.
Marco, who has traded at the location since 1989, said he is thrilled and delighted to be opening.
“Hyndland and the West End have given me so much over the years and I feel privileged to be part of the neighbourhood.
“I have never lived here but I consider it my home because of the friendliness and warmth of my friends and the local community."
Neopolitan pizza with dough made fresh daily to a traditional recipe will be available with speciality Nostrana Pizza - a handcrafted, rustic-style pizza made for sharing and served on bespoke boards - and pizza by the slice.
Hyndland and the West End have given me so much over the years and I feel privileged to be part of the neighbourhood.
Marco Stevenson
Pastas made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients, haddock suppers and scampi are on the menu with Mac & Cheese, Loaded Fries and salads. Torta della Nonna, Tiramisu and a selection of Gelato are among the sweet offerings.
Wines start from £22.50 for a bottle or £5.50 for a small glass (Trebbiano, Terre Allegre - Puglia) and go up to £30.50 or £7.25 per glass (Primitivo, Electric Bee, Produttori Di Manduria - Puglia).
Marco said: "We are really excited about what we have here.
“I have struggled to define Nostrana as just a restaurant serving good food - we want it to be a place where people can come for anything; drinks, a coffee, a meal, as a couple, as a group, or by themselves.
“However people experience Nostrana, they can be assured of a warm neighbourly welcome, a friendly smile, and quality food and drinks at reasonable prices.”
Nostrana will host a pre-opening night for friends and neighbours on Saturday before opening to the public next week.
