Having taken the 30-minute drive from Edinburgh on a Tuesday night – wife and 11-year-old daughter in tow – we arrived to find plenty of free parking nearby. That was obviously a big bonus, but for those who don't fancy driving, the restaurant is on good bus routes from the Capital.From the moment we stepped in the door, we could smell the spices emanating from the kitchen and were warmly welcomed by our host as he took our coats and showed us to our table.
Scanning the room, I couldn't help thinking it looked much like every other Indian restaurant I've been to – but then I reminded myself that Itihaas has built its reputation on its food, not its decor. And what a reputation it is. Since chef Matin Khan opened the 80-seat eaterie in 2007, the accolades and honours have just kept on coming.
Its titles have included Scotland’s Curry Chef of the Year (twice), Best Restaurant in Scotland and Northern Ireland in the Bangladeshi Caterers’ Association Awards, and Best South Asian Restaurant. And perhaps most impressively, Matin was named UK Curry Chef of the Year last October by trade magazine Curry Life . Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more.
As appetizers, we had freshly made crisp poppadoms served with mango and mixed pickles, chutneys and onion salad. For the main course, I op.