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.