][1]As you read this, the judges of the Scottish Restaurant Awards will be pounding the streets, fork in hand, as they seek out the very best kitchens in the country.
The winners will be announced at a sparkling awards ceremony, taking place in Edinburgh’s Ghillie Dhu on Tuesday 4th of June.
In the run up to the big day, the 5pm Restaurant blog will be profiling as many of the categories as we can.
Today, we’re going to take a peek at the restaurants in the frame for the Best Indian Restaurant category.
Mithas
We will kick off with Mithas who scooped the award in 2012. At last year’s awards ceremony, the Edinburgh restaurant was described as offering a fresh Indian dining experience in very stylish surroundings while the food was said to have its roots in age-old traditions but the presentation and flavour combinations are very contemporary.
We could also have added that this is Indian fine dining with a range of tasting menus, luxury ingredients and beautiful presentation.
][5]In what may turn out to be a mighty battle between two past champions, Mithas is up against the Mother India’s Cafe in Edinburgh, a restaurant which won the title in 2010. It was also among the finalists last year.
A hugely successful offshoot of the thriving Glasgow group of Mother India restaurants, it has made its name with its popular take on Indian tapas bursting with vibrant flavours.
Cafe India
Glasgow is represented by Cafe India in the Merchant City. First opening in 1987, it is one of Glasgow’s best established Indian restaurants but it isn’t afraid to move with the times.
Locally sourced ingredients cooked to order; a no ghee policy and the use of steamed or grilled chicken in their dishes all point to Cafe India paying attention to contemporary trends.
Speaking personally, your blogger also likes the fact they have a selection of Scottish craft beers. Kingfisher and Cobra are fine but artisan Scottish beers are undergoing a renaissance at the moment and Cafe India is sage enough to tap into the trend.
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