Named after Pieraccini’s grandfather, Rico brings the Rocca Group up to three sites, joining The Broughton on Edinburgh’s Broughton Street and The Seafood Ristorante in St Andrews.
The 56-cover restaurant and 20-cover bar will open in July offering ‘quality Italian dishes made with the finest, locally-sourced Scottish ingredients’, including fresh pasta made daily on site.
Scottish seafood and shellfish will be provided by David Lowrie Fish Merchants, a long-standing supplier to the Rocca Group restaurants.
One of Scotland's best-known chefs, Wishart launched The Honours in 2011. The restaurant closed last year due to the pandemic.
Pieraccini hopes to grow his restaurant collection across Scotland and the north of England over the next five years.
“Despite all of the challenges of the last year, we’re always looking for opportunities grow and develop the Rocca Group further. When the chance arose to take on the space, I knew I had to grab it with both hands,” he says.
“I have no doubt that many will be sad to see The Honours go after ten years on North Castle Street. Martin and I have a good relationship and he has been somewhat of an inspiration to me in my career to date. We like to think of this as an exciting opportunity to bring something really different to Edinburgh city centre.”
Wishart has given Pieraccini his blessing, describing the 25-year-old as an ambitious restaurateur that has successfully navigated the challenges of the last 12 months.
