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Tams hot plate leaders

The AdAmsON 28/30 127 South Street, St Andrews KY16 9UH CAFE ROGANO 27/30 11 Exchange Place, Glasgow G1 3AN TWO FAT LADIES 27/30 The Marine Hotel, 8 Crosbie Road, Troon KA10 6HE MIROs CANTINA MeXIcANA 25/30 184 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4BA The ROssLeA HALL HOTeL 23/30 Ferry Road, Rhu, Helensburgh G84 8NF The HARd ROck CAfe 23/30 179 Buchanan Street, Glasgow G1 2JZ The ORchARd HOTeL 23/30 2 Kerse Lane, Falkirk FK1 1RF The cObbLes 21/30 7 Bowmont Street, Kelso TD5 7JH BANANA LEAF 18/30 67 Cambridge Street, Glasgow G3 6QX

Wine seller

with Brian Elliott

of the best from supermarket shelves

2012 McGuigan Classic Shiraz (5.99 instead of 7.99 until April 28 at Majestic minimum purchase rules apply)

Branded wines do not always give shoppers the best value. So an ovation for this award-winning, Australian exception. It is smooth with balanced red plum fruit, a cinnamon backdrop, well-judged cherry and blackcurrant acidity and soft tannins.

2013 Stellenbosch Drive Chardonnay (5.49 down from 6.99 until Tuesday at the Co-op)

me, you doughnut want to miss this spicy treat

restaurants. And the classy decor (youll love the crisp, white linen tablecloths, ladies) was stunning. Ditto the toilets. Spotlessly clean with paper towels, plenty of posh hand lotion and even a can of deodorant. I urged Billy to have a quick skoosh. Whenever he tells me he uses Lynx on his oxters, my usual reply is: Aye, beef or pork? The fresh, crunchy poppadoms(served with some of the best spiced onions Ive ever tasted) were another good sign and, sure enough, the food wasmagnificent. Melt-in-the-mouth is one of the most over-used expressions by all us restaurant reviewers but thats the only way to describe the amazing salmon tikka at Itihaas. Two words, folks try it. A huge thumbs up, too, for Billys prawn on puri (succulent prawns in a rich sauce loaded with coriander and served on light, puffy fried bread). Main courses? My curry a fiery garlic chilli chicken was a real toilet-roll-inthe-fridge job. In fact, as I discovered while paying the bill, our waiter had jotted it down as mad hot and thats exactly as I requested. Hats off, sir. The chicken, incidentally, was incredibly tender and the delicious sauce was more like a very light gravy. I usually struggle to finish acurry, but not this time (nae luck,Billy). Across the table, the keema (mince) and peas curry was another winner. Not the least bit greasy or oily (very common with this particular dish). And even though the Peshwari naan could have passed for a plain one, Billy was quick to point out it was light, fluffy and very tasty. They also do a mean paratha atItihaas thin and crispy, exactlyas I ordered and the rest of the sundry items (tarka daal, boiled rice and a must try side dish of potatoes and peas) were first-class. And, to cap off a truly

Southern Hemisphere whites have changed fundamentally. Fashion has turned against all those excessively oaked chardonnays what Oz expert Len Evans once decried as Dolly Parton wine. Instead, marvel at this tonguetingling South African example. Itsavours are centred on banana and vanilla but includepineapple and oriental inuences.

ITIhAAs
Telephone: 0131 663 9800 Open: Seven days for lunch and dinner. Wheelchair access: Yes Bill for two: 58. Food: 9/10 Even better than the doughnuts! Service: 5/5 A warm welcome awaits. Decor: 5/5 Stylish, modern interior. Toilets: 4/5 Clean, fresh and oxter-friendly. Value: 4/5 No complaints (apart from the cola).

TOTAL 27/30

fantastic curry experience, two little touches of class that deserve a mention. First up, I loved the way our waiter used one of those wee scrapers to tidy up our table between courses (I usually onlysee that in posh, city centrerestaurants). And whats not to like about the piping hot hand-towels that were served with the bill? It cost 58 for a veritable feast at Itihaas and I only have one complaint. For such a classy joint, I cant believe they poured our colas from one of those two-litre plasticbottles that cost about aquid from any supermarket and then charged us 1.95 aglass. Still, I didnt really have time to complain. As Billy frantically pointed out while pulling on his coat, Krispy Kreme was closing in half an hour. tam.cowan@ dailyrecord.co.uk

2011 Wine Selection Corbieres (5 at Asda)

sTAR bUY

Finally to Europe and something that southern France does really well inexpensive, reliable, straight forward and slightly rustic reds. This mid-weight herbal and gently minty example with nicely restrained tannins has fairly forceful acidity behind its red cherry and strawberry fruit but there is unexpected depth there too.

Brian Elliott is a writer and wine judge living in the Borders. Promotions can change at short notice, so shoppers should inquire if prices differ.

WINE OF THE WEEK

Cambalala Fairtrade Pinotage, 75cl, 4.99

4.99 only at

Cheese & ChILLI JAm BURgeR wITh POTATO Wedges

Wedges Heat oven to 180C/gas 4. Cut potatoes into wedges. Place on non-stick oven tray and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with fresh thyme. Season and toss to coat. Bake for 45 minutes until golden and crispy. Toppings 10 minutes before wedges are ready, put a drizzle of oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Fry burgers for about four minutes each side. When cooked, top with sliced cheese. Place underneath pre-heated hot grill to melt. Toast buns. Layer bun bases with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, burger then chilli jam. Skewer the bun tops in place. Serve with wedges onthe side. Cream o Galloway produces delicious organic ice cream in Dumfries & Galloway. To nd out more about having deliciously good fun at the farms visitor centre or to nd out about free entry this month,visit www. creamogalloway.co.uk Recipe in association with Taste Communications, Scotlands food champions.

It is Fair Trade Fortnight (until March 9) and to celebrate, a Fair Trade Pinotage is Wine of the Week. It is full bodied, intense and packed with luscious and juicy dark berry fruits. Available in all stores in Scotland.