Until the 1960s, most towns along the Loch Fyne had at least one Italian cafe, serving tea and fresh ice-cream to tourists. Most are long gone but the Cafe Ca’ Dora on Tarbert’s harbour-side was still vibrant in 2015, when I visited it with my family.
The business was established in 1928 by Candito Casci (married to Germana Santi).
Their son, Primo Casci married Gina Guidi in 1936. Before her marriage she was a Fish Restaurant Assistant in her parents business at 38 Kingston Street, Glasgow. Pimo and Gina in due course took charge of the business. Gina was born in Barga. She passed away, age 98, in 2016.
Primo and Gina’s sons, Giuliano and Paul are the third generation to run the cafe.
Note in the Centissimo – a G. Sarollo, Loch Fyne, Tarbert