Edinburgh – Verandah – The Far East, a Curry-Heute Odyssey

After a splendid afternoon at The Staggs Bar, a Musselburgh Curry-Heute was calling.  We had passed the Yaadgar Indian Takeaway (57 Eskview Terrace, Mussleburgh, EH21 6LX) whilst coming down from the station; to capture a takeaway for the train was Hector’s plan.

Dr Stan, Robin and Mags had opted for the bus route back to Embra, Howard and Tracey had disappeared, Craig and Yvonne had departed as Craig’s bedtime approached.  It was a solitary Hector who marched back up the hill at pace towards Musselburgh Station in the perpetual rain.  Yaadgar was busy, nobody was buying Curry.  I asked how long a Curry would take, twenty minutes was the reply.  That was it, onwards and upwards.

I had by now received a text from Yvonne stating that she was eating the Hottest Lamb ever.  From where she did not say, but on arrival at the station, the Four Disparru, were assembled, Yvonne was considering the remaining Masala.

I was offered taste, I did not refuse.  The Masala was thick and very Spicy, Ferocious! – said Craig.  This merely whetted the appetite.

 The Curry of Edinburgh

This is a topic that Hector would not choose for Mastermind.

The immortal Dinnis (Akash, Helensburgh) recommended Verandah (17 Dalry Road, Edinburgh EH11 2BQ) to me way back in 1989.  This is the only Edinburgh Curry House I have visited in all this time.  The food has always been good to excellent.  They are open early on a Sunday which suits morning arrivals from Germany which is when I have tended to visit.   They sell/sold bottled Budvar!   Verandah was straight on to my list of Recommended Curry Houses from the inception of the Blog.  This is the first visit since then.

Two diners sat at separate tables, both had left by the time Hector was served.  The place was full on my last (evening) visit.  The décor was plain, gone was the more traditional style.  I was later informed that this has been the style for over a year now.  Methi Gosht looked the most appealing choice, some of the dishes were decidedly pricey.  The Vegetable Rice was £3.75, extortionate, and so I opted for two Chapattis  at £1.25. each  At this point, dear reader,  one thinks of Mr. Holden negotiating up to three free full sized Chapattis in any eatery in Bradford.

The customary Sparkling Water arrived in a 0.2l glass; no bottle was presented so one may conclude that this came from a 40p two litre bottle.  At £1.75, and served flat, this certainly did not impress.

Methi Gosht

The Curry arrived: the first dip of the Masala immediately impressed.  The taste was tremendous, perhaps sweeter than I would prefer.  What I dipped with was not.  The two Chapattis were the smallest I have ever seen.  They were no larger than a saucer and they were Poppadom thin.  I asked for another.

The Lamb was on the tough side, and  there certainly was not very much of it.

I was asked if everything was ok.  I stated the meat content was minimal, the Masala, very good and the Chapattis a joke.  By this time Mein Host was engaged.  He has been cooking Curry for twenty years he told me, so have I was the quick reply.  In fact, Hector has been cooking Curry for over thirty years, though will admit only those created after the Cookery Course should count.  There was discussion as to the difference between Roti and Chapatti.  There was a suggestion that Glasgow and Bradford were getting it wrong.  One may now sense that Hector could have become riled.

The Bill

They took £13 for a bill that was over £14.  It was agreed that I would only pay for two of the three Chapattis.  I presented my calling card and informed Mein Host that his establishment has been on my Recommended List.  He asked if I would be taking it off.  No way could I do this, yet.  This establishment is the only Edinburgh venue Hector can comment upon and the food here has impressed over twenty three years of visiting.  Will I return?  Only if I am invited…

I did a survey last year of the other venues (see below) of outlets between Haymarket and Rose St, there are a few to choose from.  One day,…

Update:

Yaadgar (Musselburgh) – has been rebranded as – Village Tandoori

June 2021

Verandah has gone.