LANCERS: A FIXTURE FOR 25 YEARS

Lancers Brasserie
5 Hamilton place
Stockbridge
Edinburgh
EH3 5BA
0131 332 3444
0131 332 9559
info@lancersbrasserie.co.uk
www.lancersbrasserie.co.uk
Open daily: 12-2.30 and 5.30 to 11.30

STOCKBRIDGE is one of my favourite places in Edinburgh, an up-market village-style area within a lively, Capital city.
Lancers Brasserie has been a fixture in the area for over 25 years and it has collected a string of awards during that time.
It calls itself Edinburgh’s finest Bengali and North Indian Restaurant and the web site declared: “In choosing Lancers Brasserie you have paid us a compliment and set us the task of living up to your standards.”
It has been featured on Channel 4’s Currie Connection, is listed in major food guides and has been named as the best Indian restaurant in Scotland by the Good Curry Guide as well as being labelled one of the best Indian restaurants in Great Britain by The Guide to Edinburgh’s Best.
A Les Routiers Hospitality Award came the restaurants way in 2000 so expectations were exceedingly high, particularly as Lancers has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment.
Management hope the recent face-lift will ensure clients “enjoy the meal of your life”. That is a huge build-up.
Naturally, are expectations were extremely high. So, were we blown away?
Sadly not. Lancers enjoys a central location, minutes from the heart of Scotland’s Capital city, and it has style. The linen table cloths were beautifully starched, the cutlery spotless and the distinctive dinner service, with hot plates, a positive plus.
The food is good, the restaurant and toilets are spotless, and the modern decor definitely up-market and stylish, but little things count at the top end.
The lighting was too bright and the service, although slick, lacked panache. The menu is huge. It took time to digest but Pam’s starter, a house speciality of Lancers’ assorted kebabs, was wonderful. The assortment of tandooried kebabs melted in the mouth and none were too hot to handle. An ideal way to begin the meal.
I was, however, disappointed with the Murgh Cocktail. It looked delicious. Chicken minced with onions, special herbs and spices, skewered and barbecued tandoori murgh on a bed of salad.
Visually it looked good, however, the dish was on the dry side and, after the first of three cocktails, it became bland. It didn’t help that the lemon provided to give the dish added zest lacked liquid.
I was, however, uplifted by the main. There is a huge selection and, interestingly enough, there is a French, yes French, alternative.
I mused over several including Lancers classics including Badami Korma, a mild, delicate sauce of natural yoghurt, cream, almonds, coconuts, fresh herbs and spices, or Danask, a rate combination of herbs and spices prepared with lentils and pineapple, but eventually plumped for Khatta Tarkary. This is available in chicken or lamb. I plumped for lamb.
The meat was to taste and the sliced garlic, fresh herbs and tomato sauce was packed with flavour. The flavours merged deliciously to provide a wonderful main and the accompanying nan, coated with fresh garlic and coriander, was spot on. A delightful dish.
Pam was equally enthusiastic about her Shahjahani Murgh. The chicken plus almonds and sultanas was cooked in a mild sauce. None of the flavours was overpowering and the mix was intoxicating. A lovely dish.
Portions were just right and after two courses we were replete. Sweets were declined.
Interestingly, Lancers have a vegetarian dinner for one or two, as well as a number of vegetarian starters and main dishes on the menu.
They also boast a number of special meals recommended as a suitable introduction to Bengali and North Indian cuisine.
Also, the restaurant has two other dining rooms including a discreet one called the Officers’ Club with a separate bar for 20 diners. We enjoyed the experience and would return, but would hope that the little things were corrected to make Lancers an unforgettable experience.
PS: They also do a take-way menu. And it is extensive.

ROTTERDAM: A SURPRISE PACKAGE

ROTTERDAM, Europe’s biggest port, and internationally known for its modern architecture, design and creativity, also features a number of festivals ranging from a BladeRun rally to the largest Carribean carnival summer party in Europe and, together, they form a major plank in the city’s tourism promotion.
Rotterdam is conveniently close to Den Haag, the seat of Government of The Netherlands, and the vibrant city of Amsterdam, renowned the world over for its canals and bicycles, so it is an ideal base for touring.
We had a whistle-stop, one-day, tour and had our eyes opened, not just by the variety of the offering but also in the food.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE: The Dutch are past masters at invention and discovery. Dutch scientists and engineers have made a remarkable contribution to human progress as a whole, from something as simple as the sawmill to microbiology. It is also home to a number of fine museums.
The Boijmans, one of the oldest museums in The Netherlands, includes Dutch and European masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 21st century.
From ancient to modern. Towering above the city is the 185-metre Euromast. The concrete skeleton was built in 23 days and a restaurant, 92 metres high, serves an international cuisine.
Below lies Europe’s first pedestrianised shopping area was opened in the Lijnbaan in 1953 and it offers a choice of large stores and small boutiques. It is also an area for clubs and theatres.
Modern buts on to historical and the city, devastated during the Second World War, still boasts impressive relics of the past. Historic ships contrast with the modern backdrop in Oude Haven (Old Harbour) where the first skyscraper in Europe was built in 1989.
The Maritime Museum is the oldest in the country with over 500,000 exhibits and the working Harbour Museum (free) features operating cranes and where traditional crafts are demonstrated.
Consider buying a welcome card which offers discounts of 25 per cent to 50 attractions (museums, restaurants and entertainment venues) plus up to three days unlimited travel.

EATING OUT: We sauntered into versatile Smaak. Located in at Westelijk Handelsterrein, it serves lunch, cocktails and dinner. The comfortable and informal setting was ideal for our party. So was the menu. There was bags of choice. The marinade of Norwegian salmon was tempting, so was the beef carpaccio (pine nuts, chives, bacon, Parmesan cheese, capers and a raspberry dressing).
I was also interested by sushi of mackerel, avacado and an apple and curry chutney but I plumped for a cold salmon salad which was superb. Others had spicy pumpkin soup with chopped spring onion and bacon which was also appreciated.
Main was also a problem, for all the right reasons. Skate with green asparagus, tomatoes and lemon beurre blanc was interesting so was the lamb fillet with a terrine of sweet potatoes, mini carrots, spinach, cream of pea and cress and port sauce. Indonesian-style chiken was tempting I eventually plumped for a simple steak.
I was fortunate. I enjoy rare and it came like that. Surprisingly, nobody was asked for their preference, a real downer particularly for those who don’t do rare.
For sweet, even the French in our party liked the vanilla creme brule. There was also white chocolate panacotta, salad of blood orange and blackberry jelly but I opted for sorbet. It was beautifully presented and came in three flavours with nuts. It was so good I had to fend off some admiring fellow diners.
There is a choice not just on the menu. This quality restaurant also has an undercover terrace for those who want to sample the dishes from around the world in an even more laid-back environment.
Restaurant Smaak (Restaurant Smaak: Van Vollenhovenstraat 15, Rotterdam, Netherlands (tel:+31 (0)10 436 2294; +31 (0)10 436 2294, e-mail: info@restaurantsmaak.nl
cost three course set menu: £35 - £50 per person. Open every day from noon) is one of many wine and dine venues in the Westelijk Handelsterrein complex, and the converted warehouse, which dates from 1894, is only a short walk from the main harbour area. Smaak, incidentally, translates into taste in English. This establishment has taste in more than once sense.
Also, if you don’t fancy a full meal, try Stadhuisplein which has popular bars and pavement cafes. Every night is party night in that area.
MaHo is another place for a drink with a variety of coffee bars, pubs, lunchrooms, take-aways and restaurants. You won’t want for somewhere to sit, refresh yourself and watch the world go by in Rotterdam but there is plenty to do and see.

SLEEPOVER: We stayed at the well-appointed Inntel Hotel, Rotterdam Centre, overlooking the harbour. Our room was E120 (shower only, facing the street) and breakfast £18. The room, which thankfully had a really comfortable bed, had all modern features and a mini bar and tea/coffee making facilities but, irritatingly, a 1ltr bottle of still water was charged at E4.95 and 0.5ltr at E3.50. The breakfast had fruit and cereal options followed by a selection of meat and cheese or cooked (scrambled eggs and sadly off-putting, greasy bacon). The selection of rolls and bread was a bonus. Residents enjoy high-speed, free internet access and it is well used by businessmen who can enjoy the meal plus a glass of champagne. A gym and small swimming pool is open from 6am to 11pm. I opted out.

ROUND-OFF: The bustling, industrial city of Rotterdam was not on the top of my must-see destinations. However, it surprised me with its variety and versatility. The old part has charm but it is overshadowed by the ever-changing skyline. The contemporary art had appeal and you have to hand it to the city’s PR machine for the variety of their attractions now on offer. They are trying hard to promote the city and it is worth a look as it is so close to Amsterdam which remains the No 1 tourist trap.

GETTING THERE: By EasyJet to Schiphol, Amsterdam, and then by train to Rotterdam (around 35 mins). It could not be easier as the train station buts onto the airport. The station at Rotterdam is in the heart of the city.

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE IN BARNARD CASTLE

Spice Island
9 Market Place
Barnard Castle
DL12 8NF
01833 630575
Open seven days: 5.30pm to 11pm

It’s after 8pm in Barnard Castle and we’d been driving for nearly two hours heading for Hartlepool from Blackpool after a day of meetings.
We were hungry and frustration was creeping in after one pub said they stopped serving food at 2pm and another was also closed for meals.
Sadly, there is too much of that in Britain, but that’s another story. Thankfully, and out of desperation, I asked the second publican if anybody sold food in the town at that time of night.
“There’s a very good Indian three doors down,” he said. We thanked him and headed for it as hunger pangs were increasing rapidly.
The Spice Island came into view. First impressions were encouraging. The modern decor indicated that care and attention to detail was important to the owners.
The question was, would that extend to the food? The fully air conditioned restaurant claimed to serve “exquisite” Indian cuisine.
The extensive menu didn’t disappoint neither did the service, slick and efficient without being overbearing.
Dishes can vary so much between Indian restaurants so my business colleague Elaine and I decided to ask the waiter for his suggestions.
We both wanted something mild but packed with flavour so he had a wide selection to pick from.
Elaine was looking for a chicken dish and our waiter suggested hariali, lean chicken marinated and barbecued over the tandoor, cooked with fresh garlic, ginger, chilli, cream and spinach. The mild dish was served with pilau rice.
I prefer lamb so he came up with devdasi, braised, golden brown, tender lamb in onion, garlic, ginger and un-ground garam massala also served with pilau rice.
Elaine’s dish looked superb with the greenness of the spinach contrasting beautifully with the creamy, yellow sauce. What’s more it tasted wonderful. All the flavours came through and the mixture was superb.
My lamb was visually eye-catching and it was packed with flavour. Once again, all the elements could be defined – including the bay leaves - and the overall affect was stunning.
Portions were just right and the accompanying pilau rice came in a pyramid which was aesthetically pleasing.
Around 90 per cent of the dishes on the menu are Balgladeshi-based and chef Rafique Uddin deserves credit.
The well-established, family run restaurant was busy even on a balmy Thursday night. They deserve the custom.
There are also other branches nearby. If I’m ever back that way then I’ll pop in. Both Elaine and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

IN THE SPIRIT OF BOURBON

BOURBON
60 Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7BB
028 9033 2121
www.bourbonrestaurant.com

DILEMMA. Strange city, lack of knowledge, don’t want to take a cab
or walk too far, seeking city centre but looking for quality food at a decent price.
So, what do you do? Ask the locals, of course, then consider your options. That’s exactly what I did in Belfast.
I’ve been there before briefly on business and know of The Crown Bar, one of the oldest and most loved landmarks in Belfast, just across from the Europa Hotel.
The Irish stew and Guinness is sensational at The Crown, but that is not what we were looking for. However, we did retire there later.
Bourbon came up on the radar as a possible and so we booked for a party of four, all with different likes and dislikes. The spring/summer menu seemed to fit all tastes.
It could not have been handier, just across the road from the four-star Europa and places were available – but not many.
That’s a good recommendation on a Wednesday night during a recession with Spain playing Germany in the World Cup as a counter attraction.
I’m aware that Belfast is in Northern Ireland and they were not in the World Cup, but Scotland and Wales didn’t make it either and England didn’t last long. However, there is general interest in the football.
So, what of the selection? There were 13 starter options and the roast tomato and red pepper soup, olive oil and croutons stood out for me. It was absolutely brilliant and the portion was enormous.
Grilled garlic Portobello mushrooms, pepper gapon cheese gratin also proved popular with two of my colleagues and the crisp goats cheese and Iberico ham pizza with creamed roquette salad was another winner.
On to the main course. Casserole of spring lamb Irish stew, early vegetabes and Guinness wheaten was attractive and caused much discussion. I’d eaten Irish stew earlier so I side-stepped that option.
The 12 other options had my colleagues silent for some time while they picked.
Grilled sea bass on a casserole of white beans, chorizo and tomato was selected by two of us. Both John and I loved the look and taste of the dish.
The chorizo provided extra flavour but the fish was not overpowered by the sauce. The triple cooked hand-cut chips were a delight.
The Irish Angus beefburger with baby gem tomato and Cashel Blue mayo plus triple cooked chips also went down extremely well.
And there were no complaints about the crisp local Fermanagh pork belly, roast apples, carrot puree and Calvados sauce.
Not surprisingly, nobody could find a place for dessert. And the overall impression? Extremely favourable.

I'M LOCKED INTO THE CELLAR DOOR

The Cellar Door
44-46 George IV Bridge
Edinburgh
EH1 1EJ
0131 226 4156
www.thecellardooredinburgh.com
Open seven days: lunch 12-3: dinner 6 till late: high tea 3-6: brunch (Saturday and Sunday only) 10am to noon

SOUTH African-born Ivan Leader has a passion for Scotland. That’s why he moved to Edinburgh, a city he fell in love with.
Currently, citizens of Auld Reekie, and tourists, are falling for his new city centre restaurant, The Cellar Door, which opened only five months ago.
It is housed in a converted from a former warehouse and the 50-cover diner sits in the city’s tourist area.
Just off the city’s world-famous Royal Mile and yards from the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye Terrrier dog who reportedly spent 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, John Gray, until he died in 1872, the candle-lit restaurant offers an affordable option for discerning diners.
Ivan and his wife Morven are hands on. They use local suppliers and change the menu regularly.
They also like to surprise diners. A two course (£13.95) or three course (£17.95) surprise dinner menu is on offer. You are then at the mercy of head chef Eden Sinclair, however, nobody should worry. He won’t create anything that you can’t or won’t eat.
A static on the menu are main course grills. Prime cuts of Aberdeen Angus beef, hung for a minimum of three weeks, are offered, and the meat is sourced by Eden.
An 8oz fillet steak is £18.95 or a 16oz T-bone £23.95. Chateau Briand (for two) is £39.95 and the steaks are served with four choices of sauce including blue cheese.
Char grilled Perthshire lamb cutlets or organic Spring lamb are alternatives.
All seven starters appealed. Haggis fritters served with a whisky sauce was a possible along with salmon, lime and coriander fishcake with a celeriac coleslaw and a sweet chilli dressing were among them.
However, I couldn’t resist the grilled Stornoway black pudding and goats cheese salad served with a Somerset apple dressing.
The black pudding and goats cheese blended beautifully. A great choice. One of my companions was not disappointed by the haggis fritters and neither was the second with the soup of the day plus crusty, home-baked bread.
We couldn’t wait for the next course but it was hard to pick from the five mains. Stir-fried loin of beef with coriander style noodles, leek and smoked cheddar risotto, a home-made beef burger served with chunky chips and a choice of three sauces, including Strathdon Blue, or grilled fish of the day.
The fact that sea bass was on offer sold it for me. The fish nestled on the top of a mound of spiced new potatoes and buttered baby spinach. The flavours merged beautifully.
Pam tucked into grilled free range chicken with flageolet beans, smoked bacon and sweet corn. We also asked for a side order of home-made chips as my other guest, Chris, wouldn’t allow us to steal any more of his. He loved his burger.
The restaurant also boasts a ten cover, street-level patisserie specialising in quality cakes, confectionary and hand-made chocolates, all made on site by Petra, specially flown in from Germany.
What’s more, a varied brunch menu is available on Saturday and Sunday. For example, a traditional breakfast is £7.95 but if you fancy eggs Florentine and baby spinach and Hollandaise sauce on a bed of toasted, home-baked, crusty bread it is £5.95.
Simply, I’m now locked into The Cellar Door.

L'ESCARGOT BLEU, A TASTE OF FRANCE IN CENTRAL EDINBURGH

L’Escargot Bleu
56 Broughton Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3SA
0131 557 1600

www.lescargotbleu.co.uk

THERE is much to commend L’Escargot Bleu. The ambiance, its location, Rebecca, an impeccable manager, and the care and attention put into the food, to name a few.
However, there were irritants which worked against what could be a superb city centre restaurant.
Let’s start with the pluses. Pam’s Scottish asparagus and black pudding with grain mustard and herb crumbs was sensational.
The pudding was moist and the topping exploded in the mouth. A stunning starter.
My grilled fillet of red mullet served on a bed of baby artichoke salad with a walnut oil vinaigrette was eye-catching.
The moist, warm mullet, however, jarred with the cold artichoke, a disappointment. The vinaigrette was subtle and appealing.
There were five other starters including steamed mussels Basquaise with Roscoff onions, red peppers and tomato or chicken galantine with black truffles served with a Gribiche sauce.
On to the main. Undoubtedly, the owners stick to their slogan of a French twist using the best of Scotland.
Eight selections were available. I was particularly tempted by the gratin of Stirlingshire line caught pike and squid in Armoricaine sauce with baby spinach.
The braised ox cheeks with a la Bourguignonne with pancetta and mushrooms was appealing.
There was also the signature dish, Buccleuch estate whole rib of beef cooked to your liking and carved at the table, served with potatoes, jus and a green salad.
However, Pam plumped for duck au vin – yes duck – and my selection was home-made bouillabaisse with a fish selection served with aioli and croutons.
Sadly, the duck failed to excite. It was well-cooked but lacked significant flavor and the accompanying cauliflower – no cheese topping – was in marked contrast to the sweetness of the duck. The accompanying salad was superfluous.
My bouillabaisse was packed with flavor and the accompanying spoon was just the job for mopping up the excellent juice.
However, the green salad which accompanied it was lumped in with the sauce. Warm lettuce is not my favourite dish.
Furthermore, the grilled prawns, I felt, were out of place. I was assured later that they were included by the chef to provide rustic authenticity. I’d have preferred they were not there.
L’Escargot Bleu produces interesting food and is extremely popular, but needs to concentrate on fine detail to move it up a notch.

BOYLE AT THE DOUBLE IN BRITISH

SCOTTISH butcher Paul Boyle (pictured with his wife) celebrates winning TWO British titles by making more pies.
The Bathgate-based businessman, who has twice won the World Scotch Pie Championship, beat a record field to take the fish pie category and the vegetarian division at the British Pie Championships.
Boyle, 52, of Boghall Butchers, Boghall, Bathgate, won the fish pie crown last year with the same pie, a cod and white wine creation.
Last year he had puff pastry on top but this time he had to have a lid following a rule change.
That was the only alteration to the recipe for the pie he sells three times a week in his busy shop in the middle of a council housing estate.
His haggis, potatoe and turnip pie is hugely popular and is on sale every day.
Boyle, a former chef, said: “The vegi pie is a big seller over a big cross section of customers, from workmen in boiler suits to housewives.
“The cod and white wine pie is also a good seller, but not as good as the vegi one. We’re absolutely delighted with the double win.
“Last year we upped our turnover and drew a lot of new customers to the shop with our success in the British Championships. We’re expecting to the same this time.”
He added: “It’s great to keep winning awards. I’ve won the World Scotch Pie Championship twice, once in 2009 and also in 2005, and I’ve also won three British titles in two years.
“Winning keeps the name of the shop in the headlines and brings new customers from all over. However, we’re also proud to serve our regular customers who have helped us grow the business to a position where we now have nine staff.”
Scotland also claimed three runners-up spots. Stuart’s of Buckhaven, Fife, were second with their Apple Pie while Perthshire-based Simon Howie Butchers of Dunning was second in the Football Pie category. He supplies to Celtic Park.
And Nevis Radio were second with their venison pie made by Nevis Bakery of Fort William.
Over 20 top Scots piemen entered the British Pie Championships including three World Scotch Pie champions – the current holder, Murdoch Brothers from Forres, plus Stuart’s of Buckhaven and Boghall Butchers of Bathgate. This year’s event generated a record field of 122.
They submitted 713 products for judging – a 40 per cent increase on the first British Pie Championships 12 months ago – at the event in Melton Mowbray.
Fife-baker and butcher, Alan Stuart, founder of the World Scotch Pie Championship, now in its 11th year, said: “This is once again a testament to Scots bakers and butchers who continue to supply quality produce.
“Scots won four a number of major awards last year but the competition was tougher and the challenge was really on. We’ve won two this year and earned three runners-up prizes. That is tremendous and winning awards generates a tremendous amount of positive publicity with translates into sales.

FOR THE RECORD: In 2009, Paul Boyle of Boghall Butchers, Bathgate, won the Best Fish Pie in Britain title, A J Learmonth of Jedburgh produced the Best Savoury Pie in Britain, Macdougall and Hastie of Inverness with the Best Football Pie in Britain and the Best Apple Pie in Britain title went to Stuart’s of Buckhaven.

NOVELLO: A LYTHAM HIGHLIGHT

NOVELLO restaurant came onto my radar thanks to a personal recommendation from a local resident in Lytham, and Chris obviously savours good food and a relaxed atmosphere.
I enjoyed the experience even if I was dining alone. Novello is easy to find, comfortable and the service is slick.
What's more, the care and attention to detail was a massive plus for this family owned and run restaurant.
It is in the main street in the up-market Lancashire seaside town but prices are extremely reasonable.
The gourmet menu, for example, has a two course for £18.95 and three course for £23.95. When I visited, a free bottle of house wine was provided with the three course from Sunday to Thursday. Check for changes.
So what was on offer? King prawn cocktail with aioli and rocket salad, Italian antipasto with fresh bread. Believe me the bread is fresh as they bake it themselves daily and it has a subtle twist.
Caramelised fig and mozzarella and rocket. There is also fried baby calamari. Mains on the day were chicken risotto with mushrooms garlic and cream, spaghetti with king prawns and crispy sausages, chilli and garlic, seared sea bass with sauteed potatoes and a tomato and basil salsa or seared sirloin of beef with red wine sauce.
Sweets were Italian tiramisu, orange pannacotta or sticky toffee pudding with butter scotch sauce.
OK, your mouth is watering so what did I choose? I pondered long and hard but went off menu. The range is extensive.
The caramelised chicken livers with smoked bacon and balsamic reduction were interesting. The smoked bacon gelled with the balsamic and this was a dish to be savoured.
I was sorely temped by the Lancashire fillet of beef with wilted baby spinach and red wine sauce and by the pan fried duck breast with sauteed cabbage, creamed potatoes and a red win jus.
However, I plumped for the seared sirloin of beef minus the rich pepper sauce. It was the fat chips which swayed the decision. Sorry.
It was such a good experience that I ventured back a few weeks later. I selected the seared sea bass this time and was not disappointed.
The dish was artistically crated and looked wonderful with the colour of the tomato and basil salsa contrasting with the remainder of the dish. The flavours all merged apart from the salsa which was, for me, a little tart. However, I'd have the dish again if I make a return trip, minus the salsa.

CHINA ON A PLATE

Chop Chop
248 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8DT
0131 221 1155

Jian Wang came to Scotland to ensure that her son Yin received the best possible education, now the enterprising businesswomen is educating British people in real Chinese cooking.
Her Edinburgh factory produces 500,000 dumplings a month for sale in major retailers like Sainsbury’s and in Chinese supermarkets throughout Britain, and her restaurant has received widespread critical acclaim.
Chop Chop is an experience. If you are looking for a restaurant to chill out in then go elsewhere, but, if you are looking for a gastronomic experience then book now. Why?
Well, are over 2,000 members of their culinary club and it has been packed since November when the restaurant was featured on the smash hit TV show the F Word.
Jian’s authentic Chinese food is totally divorced from the norm. We loved it. You are best to go for the set meal which allows Chop Chop virgins to experiment.
The subtle pork and coriander dumplings were followed by fried prawn dumplings. Mix your own soy and vinegar sauce and add raw garlic and chillies to enhance the flavour.
The lamb with cumin seed plus cucumber salad and small shredded potato salad was sensational.
The meat slid off the small sweet and sour pork robs and the aubergines were divine.
Crispy Northern beef and the tender green beans and chilli were also brought to the table.
For dessert We finished with fruit dumplings. All I can say is wow!

TRUE TASTE OF ITALY

Cheikhos Restaurant
12 Church Street
Lutterworth
Leicestershire
LE17 4AW
01455 559869

OCCASIONALLY you find a gem. When you do it is uplifting. There are unsung restaurants out there producing quality food at value prices but it is sometimes hard to find them.
Step forward FSB member Cheikhos, tucked away in a side street in deepest Leicestershire.
I’d never been anywhere near Lutterworth before. It is a market town of 8,500 inhabitants, the home of Sir Frank Whittle who invented the jet engine.
I arrived after a seven hour drive and not in the best of moods.
The weather was fair so I went for a walk to ease my legs and spotted the distinctive restaurant frontage.
A quick glance at the menu was enough to encourage me to come back later. I was not disappointed.
As I arrived some diners were leaving, all singing the praises of the chef. A good start. The extensive menu was mouth-watering.
I decided to go for gigot d’agneau, a braised shank of lamb surrounded with Mediterranean vegetables and a rich tomato sauce. The sweetness of the lamb was complimented by the vegetables and the sauce.
What’s more, the portion was so good I couldn’t find space for a sweet.
This restaurant is just off the M1 and well worth a visit. Vegetarian devotees are catered for. The choice included wild mushrooms sauted with shallots and garlic, a touch of cream and served on a medley of green beans lightly cooked in a citrus and black pepper butter.
Next time!

LEE RAJ WORTH A VISIT

Lee Raj: 23 Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool FY4 1SN tel: 01253 406300

RECOMMENDATION is often the best form of advertising for a restaurant, but sometimes it doesn’t live up to the billing.
The Lee Raj was mentioned to me by a colleague but I had continually driven past the restaurant and gone elsewhere. My loss.
It sits near the Starr Gate tram stop at the southern terminus of Blackpool’s world-famous trams.
The restaurant is on the corner of an undistinguished street near an extensive housing estate on the way to Blackpool’s busy business park and near the airport.
The external appearance, however, fails to do the restaurant justice. Step through the door are the place is immaculate.
Soft lighting, smartly dressed tables, cutlery discretely wrapped in linen napkins all adds to the overall appearance.
The service is slick but not overbearing and the extensive menu takes some time to digest.
The restaurant, which has been on site for around a decade, serves mainly Bangladeshi food.
And clients come from places as far afield as Manchester on a regular basis.
Read the on-line testimonials, including a Tory who was attending his party conference and made the trip from the North Shore, and visitors who took a tip from a taxi driver, and praise floods out.
Many diners describe it as the best restaurant of its type in Fylde. It is no surprise, with that level of acclaim, that this restaurant has a following.
I asked for advice and eventually plumped for a chicken raj ran hawei after checking regards my lactose deficiency (no dairy).
It arrived with a special sauce but the attentive waiter, without prompt, quickly switched it to another dairy free alternative with around 20 ingredients including mango, chilli and chutney before it reached my table.
The sauce was magnificent and the chicken moist. The accompanying salad could have been spiced up a trifle and, at £4.50, it was a tad expensive, but the dish was an ideal starter.
For main I plumped for a lamb jalfrezi with special fried rice. The lamb was succulent and the sauce packed with merging flavours, none of which dominated.
This dish was priced at £7.10 with rice at £2.60 and I retained some of the sauce from the starter. It proved an ideal accompaniment.
I was too full for a sweet and the bill, with a fresh orange, totalled £15.90. Perfectly acceptable for a quality meal in a well-appointed restaurant.
The Lee Raj is near the promenade and the wind was howling outside. The rain also battered down on the deserted pavements. It was a Sunday night to be by the fireside, but Lee Raj was busy. The restaurant was warm and comfortable.
I sat, however, across from a black plaque on the wall which said: “Your custom with Lee Raj is my fortune, your dining in Lee Raj is due to my ability, your happiness with Lee Raj is my pleasure, your satisfaction with Lee Raj is my desire.”
Pompous, yes. Necessary, no. The food does the talking for this hidden gem.
It stands out among the mediocrity which can be served up in Blackpool and I was well satisfied with my visit.
I’ve subsequently thanked my tip off man and I would have no hesitation in recommending it to others.
However, I might be cutting my own throat as it could then become much busier leaving me out in the cold on my next business trip.

THIS IS NO 1

Number One
South Beach
4 Harrowside West
Blackpool
FY4 1NW
01253 343900

Blackpool’s No 1 place to stay proclaimed the advertising. I travel to the North-West regularly on business and normally stay in a large hotel. It is comfortable but impersonal.
A chance remark and a walk along the prom between meetings on the same bracing day took me past Number One. I called in for a peek and was bowled over. The homely lounge, individually designed bedrooms and a genuine welcome were vital sparks. This is five star with extras. Example, watching TV while having a Jacuzzi in your en-suite bathroom.
Stylish bedrooms and service – even down to the smallest dietary detail – add to the experience. There is even an extensive range of books and a library of DVDs to borrow.
The food is delicious. Breakfast boasts a huge choice, all freshly cooked and served with squeezed orange juice and a selection of herbal tea, if required. There are also five special selections. My favourite is smoked fish with poached egg. Evening meals are also a delight. Devilled kidneys, with a rich sauce, are superb. So is the sea bass. The meat fell off the bones.
Number One South Beach is a superb boutique guest house with a quality modern British restaurant. Give it a try.

COMFORTABLE IN MACKENZIES

MacKenzies
2-4 Bridge Road
Colinton
Edinburgh EH13 0LF
0131 441 2587
www.mackenziesrestaurant.com


FEELING comfortable in a restaurant is, I feel, so important. From the moment you walk in to the last goodbye it is good when you feel you are well looked after and not just another client.
Step forward MacKenzies, writes Nigel Duncan. I pass the restaurant most days on my way in and out of Edinburgh’s busy city centre.
Every time I’ve eaten there I’ve not been disappointed and we were there again recently. Once again, we went home having enjoyed the night and feeling that we had received value for money.
That’s particularly important as the credit crunch continues to bite. MacKenzies, however, have a strong regular client base and it was busy on the Thursday we visited.
We went there with friends and we all needed a lift after almost of month of sub-zero temperatures north of the Border.
The cottage-style restaurant is in the heart of Colinton, a village on the banks of the Water of Leith which dates back to before the 11th century. Celebrated author Robert Louis Stevenson was a regular visitor.
The Scottish-style supper menu had something for everybody. Neil and I selected piping hot, home-made lentil soup while our partners, Pam and Carol, decided on chicken, bacon and mushrooms on toast. Both selections were well presented.
On to the main course. We asked for a recommendation and, following advice, three of us plumped for boeuf bourguignon. We were not disappointed.
Carol plumped for succulent chicken wrapped in parma ham and covered in lashings of mozzarella cheese. It was superb.
Mains come with a panache of seasonal vegetables and potatoes and there was ample for everybody.
Nobody was rushing us and the chat was flowing so it took a while before the waiter ventured forth to inquire about sweets.
Three of us plumped for brandy snaps and fruit. The presentation was superb and the taste matched.
Neil luxuriated in his favourite, banoffee pie. The pastry based cake made from bananas, cream and toffee plus boiled condensed milk has been on the menu for some time and it is as popular as ever.
Summing up, this is a traditional, Scottish restaurant in Edinburgh’s outskirts well worth a visit. I’ve never been disappointed. We’ll be back...soon.