Scotland’s hottest spot for curry is in Midlothian, according to the organisers of one of the UK’s top speciality food awards.
Itihaas in Dalkeith was voted the Best South Asian Restaurant in Scotland in the UK’s Asian Curry Awards at a function attended by more than 1,000 guests at Grosvenor House in London’s Park Lane.
Billed as the biggest event in the UK’s Asian catering calendar, it covers the Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Nepalese and pan-Asian catering sectors as well as Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine. Awards are made on a regional basis.
“Things have been hotting up for us for the past few years,” said Itihaas Director Matin Khan who received the trophy. “This is another confirmation that we have a successful formula which combines mouth-watering food with premium customer service.”
He added: “Our whole team work tirelessly to maintain the highest standards, using the best authentic spices to produce not only curries but a wide range of other value-for-money Indian and Bangladeshi dishes.”
Runners-up in Scotland’s South Asian category were restaurants in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dunfermline.
The following night Mr Khan attended a black tie dinner at the Battersea Evolution, London, after Itihaas was listed in Britain’s “Hot 100” in the 2012 British Curry Awards.
Last December he was named best Bangladeshi chef in Scotland and in 2010 Itihaas, on Dalkeith’s Eskbank Road, was voted the country’s top Bangladeshi restaurant. Itihaas also won the Best Customer Service category in the 2012 Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Awards.
This year Itihaas has been refurbished and had new lighting installed, giving the restaurant an even more intimate atmosphere.
Guests at the Grosvenor House event included Vince Cable, UK Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons Tom Brake MP, and the High Commissioners of Malaysia, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
