The Team

The Team

George and Josephine were the first in Midlothian to serve ‘foreign food’… pizza & pasta, and the Cavaliere has since went from strength to strength ever since, whilst at the same time adding to our ever expanding extensive menu and wine list. We are a family orientated restaurant, with excellent service from our highly trained staff, so whether it’s a romantic meal for two, a quick bite before the theatre, Granny’s 80th birthday party, the girls catch up night, a family meal or just a coffee/cake… come to see us, there is something for everyone.

Antonio

Owner

Tony has grown up in Dalkeith, went to both the local primary and Secondary school. Many of you will remember him sitting at the table doing his homework as a young boy! Tony has spent his entire life in the catering industry, from a very young age he started to work. He has a great passion for providing a warm and inviting atmosphere with excellent food and wines, all individually selected with his dedicated team of highly experienced chefs and waiting staff.

Tony is very hands on with the day to day running of the business, and you will most often see him in the restaurant or takeaway. He loves chatting to all our regular customers; they are like an extended family! Also meeting new customers, getting to know them, and enveloping them into our BIG CAVALIERE FAMILYTony is very integrated into the local community, and sponsors lots of local events and football teams.

When not working, he loves nothing more than a game of golf at the Newbattle Golf course, and watching a game of football, he is a keen Juventus supporter, or spending time with his wife Gemma and young son Giorgio.

Gemma

Owner and Operational Manager

Gemma joined the Cavaliere part-time whilst she studied dance at university. Even after she graduated as a ballet teacher, she continued to help andsupport Tony in the restaurant. After a while they fell in love and got married, and joined the team full time. Alongside being Mamma to Giorgio, she helps Tony with the day to day running of the business.She is also responsible for our party/group bookings, and will be personally involved with our new function room.

Gianni

Head waiter

Gianni joined us in 2005, and has been a dedicated part of our team. He has a great knowledge of Italian food and wines which is evident as he passionately explains our specials, and recommending wines to compliment them. When not working Gianni loves to cook, and spend time with his brother over a nice bottle of Red wine, however sadly, he supports Inter-Milan……. (Ha ha Tony!)

Maurizio

Head Chef

Maurizio has over 20 years experience with Italian cuisine. He creates many excellent fish specials, which the Cavaliere is renowned for.Maurizio, alongside his team of chefs, also, loves to make home-made fresh pasta. In his free time he loves to visit local farmers markets with his wife and daughter. Twice a year he accompanies Tony to our various produce suppliers in Italy.

"Always come away feeling we have had great time…"

We are regular visitors to the “Cavaliere Restaurant” in Dalkeith, mainly for the great authentic Italian food. However, it’s more than that, it has a great family friendly atmosphere, excellent value for money, first class service with really friendly staff. We have been there for many family celebrations, lunch and dinners alike and always come away feeling we have had great time!

Fiona, George & Kyle McGeechant

Posted on 6th March 2016

"Wonderful food, service and atmosphere :-)"

Visited this restaurant for the first time with friend and was very impressed.
The service was spectacular and couldn’t fault it one little bit. All the staff were friendly and attentive.
The menu had a great selection plus there were a good choice of specials as well as a cheaper set menu if desired.
The food was exquisite, one of the nicest dishes I have ever tasted (even beats some of the restaurants I visited while in Italy !!).
Food was plentiful and piping hot, everyone in our party expressed how delightful their dishes were.
I would definitely recommend and I will most certainly be back.
Many thanks!

Jettyjazz

Posted on 7th November 2015

"Great Food and Great Service"

I can go back to 1968, when our local chippy changed hands to George and Josephine Crolla, I can still see George and Josephine behind the pans busily serving away, and the sit in cafe was always busy. By 1969 the Cavaliere restaurant was born and for the first time in Dalkeith you could get such delights as pasta, pizza and other delicious Italian dishes, and of course your usual pie, black pudding, white putting and fish supper at the chippy. As time passed and we got married, had children the Cavaliere became our regular place to eat out and a friendship began with the Crolla family that has grown over the last 45 years.

We have watched the Cavaliere grow from its humble beginnings as a chippy with a sit in to what it is today, a successfully run family restaurant with great food and great service, we are now being looked after by the next generation Toni and Gemma who are brilliant hosts. The staff always remember you on your return and are always attentive and accommodating, for example they always remember what type of Pizza Moira has and the wine we drink what more can you ask for.

It is an Italian restaurant that has never lost its relaxed family friendly atmosphere.

Alex & Moira Watson

Posted on 16th February 2016

"The Ambience is Cheerful and Relaxing"

This is an authentic Italian Restaurant, with the owners and most of the staff in close contact with their homeland.

Long established, they know their customer base and its changes over the years. The menu, with its popular dishes and generous portions, is backed up by a constantly changing choice of daily specials of excellent quality and a good wine list.

The staff are welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful, the ambience is cheerful and relaxing.

We have been regular customers for twenty years and warmly recommend the Cavaliere.

John & Helen Ballantyne

Posted on 17th February 2016

"Always come away feeling we have had great time…"

"Wonderful food, service and atmosphere :-)"

"Amazing!!"

"Christmas party night"

"Great Food and Great Service"

"The Ambience is Cheerful and Relaxing"