REVIEW : EAT - The Radhuni, Loanhead
Indian food is one of Scotlands favourite takeaway’s with a Chinese and a Chippie also in at the top. But what is it about an Indian takeaway the satisfies our tastebuds and makes us click on those delivery apps most Friday nights.
Could it be the ‘blandness’ of Scottish food. Scottish cuisine has come along way from mince and tatties but nothing beats the spice blends used in some Indian dishes to liven up our tastebuds.
Could it be the good ol Scottish weather. There are many a dreich day and night in Scotland and it could be that we just want something hearty and warming.
Could it be that Curry and a pint go together and you kind of cant have one without the other. We Scots do love a drink and a curry just seems to partner perfectly with pints.
REVIEW : THE RADHUNI INDIAN TAKEAWAY, LOANHEAD
The first Indian restaurant to open up in the UK was in Mayfair, London in 1810. Scotland’s first Indian restaurant was Kushi’s in Edinburgh which opened in 1947 (yep, we took a wee while to catch up) and it is said that the UK is now home to approx 10,000 Indian restaurants, but no-one seems to be able to confirm these numbers.
In 2001, Chicken Tikka Masala was recognised as a National British dish and it only seems fitting that the British Curry Awards where created in 2005, the Oscars of the Curry World, which set out to recognise outstanding restaurants, chefs and staff up and down the country, making and serving incredible Indian cuisine.
And this brings me onto The Radhuni, Scotland’s award winning Bangladeshi and Indian restaurant in Loanhead who have won several awards including : The UK’s Top 100 Indian Restaurants 2018, Scotland’s Best Restaurant 2019 and Outstanding Scottish Service Award 2020 for donating along with their sister restaurant, Itihaas in Dalkeith, £10,000 worth of food to our NHS.
The Radhuni, like many restaurants adapted during the pandemic but luckily they already had the takeaway side of the business running, so it was easy to up the ante and drive this side of the business during lockdown. They have also transformed their outdoor garden area to allow for socially distanced dining; lets hope for a cracking Summer.
I tried out their takeaway which I collected from their restaurant in Loanhead. Sanitising gel is fully loaded at the door where you are greeted with a clear panel and a masked member of staff ready to hand over your order. Effortless and all within the Covid guidelines.
A large bag of incredible smelling food and two beers in hand, I headed home and couldn’t wait to get all the goods laid out on the table. I knew what I had ordered, but I was so excited to see it all and tuck in.
For starters, we tried the Chicken Puri and the Haggis Pakora. The Chicken Puri, wasn’t what I was expecting but the taste was incredible. Small pieces of succulent chicken in a thick tomato like sauce enhanced with loads of coriander with a large puri laid ontop. Unfortunately, by the time I had gotten home, the puri had flattened and turned slightly soggy.
The Haggis Pakora were just lovely balls of peppery crumble that we just couldn’t stop eating. Does come with a slight kick to it!
For mains we tucked into Lamb Pasanda, Chicken Biryani and a Vegetable Curry.
The Lamb Pasanda was outstanding. One of those dishes that you just keep going back for more and when the lamb runs out, the sauce is left for naan bread dunking. Subtle, slightly sweet, intensely creamy - this is defo one dish to have!
Chicken Biryani was superb! Basmati rice loaded with spiced chicken pieces, cooked in ghee and delicate herbs. Fantastic. I loved how there are some overcooked, harder bits of the biryani and then the fluffy spoonfuls. Great taste, mouthful after mouthful.
Vegetable Curry. I am not sure what one we were given but it was only slightly spicy with a lovely mouthfeel of warmth and sweetness. Loaded with vegetables, this scooped up on the naan bread was seriously lovely.
Sides of Peshwari Naan and Pilau rice, salad, mint yoghurt dip and mango chutney. All perfect condiments to this feast.
I have eaten at The Radhuni and had their takeaways a few times over the years and they are consistently great. Every single dish on their vast menu is superb and they cater for vegetarians and gluten freebies.
The UK may have given India cricket but we most certainly got the best end of the deal… thank you India for giving us curry!
THE RADHUNI, 93 CLERK STREET, LOANHEAD, EH20 9RE TEL : 0131 440 3566 www.theradhuni.co.uk
My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10
I was invited by The Radhuni to review their takeaway menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.