Coia’s Cafe celebrates 90th birthday with starry party
EAST END institution Coia’s Cafe celebrated their 90th birthday in style – with a star-studded party at their Dennistoun restaurant.
Personalities Andy Cameron, Elaine C Smith, Michelle McManus and Edward Reid entertained over 130 guests at the event on Monday night.
Owners Alfredo and Antonia Coia, their family and staff treated their guests to a night of fine wines, Italian and Scottish dishes, and homemade ice-cream and desserts.
Alfredo’s grandfather Carmine, who was affectionately known as Charlie, set up the first Coia’s Cafe on the corner of Duke Street 90 years ago.
A shop-fitter by trade, Carmine and his wife Amalia came to Scotland from Filiano in Italy. The business was then ran by his son Nicky, who died last year at 84, and later grandson Alfredo.
An auction at the party raised more than £20,000 for the Renal Dialysis Units at Stobhill and The Queen Elizabeth University hospitals in memory of Nicky.
Other famous guests at the party included Scottish playwright and actor, Tony Roper and Celtic FC legend Danny McGrain.
Alfredo said: “We are extremely proud of our team, our chefs and how smoothly it all went.
“Everyone enjoyed themselves and we are grateful to our customers for their generous contributions.”