GLASGOW TOP 5
BANANA LEAF 76B Old Dumbarton Road, 0141 334 4445, bananaleaf-glasgow.co.uk
OPEN: Mon–Sun noon–10pm DELIVERY: Mon–Sun 6pm–10pm. Free over £15.
With a wide selection of great value and unusual dishes from the Tamil Nadu and Kerala regions, the Banana Leaf provides a takeaway with a difference, and a great opportunity to sample traditional and authentic South Indian dishes that are rarely seen on westernised curry menus. Particularly popular are the dosas – rice pancakes stuffed with a variety of i llings including cheese, vegetables or semolina. Masala tawa fried i sh – charred l avoursome moist bites of salmon, set up the palate ready for a substantial main of lamb with deep and earthy chettinadu spices. A wide selection of meat-free options makes this a good place for veggies and the competitive prices make the Banana Leaf a real pocket-pleaser.
BKK THAI 946 Argyle Street, 0141 243 2337, bkkthai.co.uk
THE BIG TAKEAWAY 2012
selection of regional dishes from Lucknow, Maharashtra, South India and Goa. Amusingly, there’s still space for the Glaswegian specialty of curried mince and tatties.
HONG KONG EXPRESS 437a Sauchiehall Street, 0141 332 2008
OPEN: Mon–Sun noon–4am
DELIVERY: Delivery 6pm–11.30pm to two-mile radius. Min. order £10; £1.50 charge.
For delivery or for a very late night carryout in a city centre spot, Hong Kong Express does the classic Chinese dishes, but it also offers a broad range of less-familiar specialties that are certainly worth trying. Fine green beans with minced pork is served without a sauce, delicately spiced with slices of ginger throughout, with sweet well-cooked beans contrasting with the soft, savoury pork. Beef with green pepper and black bean sauce is also good, with strips of tender meat and earthy beans retaining some of their i rmness, and all the vegetables have a satisfying crunch. For the more adventurous, and also for those who like to play it a little safer, Hong Kong Express offers quality Asian food with plenty of distinctive l avours.
MASALA TWIST 192–194 Byres Road, 0141 339 3777, THE LITTLE CAFÉ 1361 Argyle Street, 0141 337 2068,
OPEN: Tue–Sun 4.30–10pm. Closed Mon. masalatwistscotland.co.uk
thelittlecafe.co.uk
DELIVERY: to G2, G3, G4, G11, G12. Min order £7;
delivery charge £1.50.
OPEN: Sun–Thu noon–11pm; Fri/Sat noon– OPEN: Mon–Fri 9am–9pm; Sat 10am–9pm; Sun
It seems i tting that the ‘BKK’ in BKK Thai stands for Bangkok – a very Thai city with a Western inl uence – as the food from this small Finnieston takeaway is similar to that served in the better tourist joints in the hot, bustling capital: packed full of fragrant aromas and delicious l avours. The Thai green curry has a genuine slow burn that impacts after three mouthfuls. If you can handle the heat, it’s fantastic: spicy, sweet and full of fresh, zingy aromas. Big plump king prawns dominate the sticky, sweet pad Thai – a far cry from the hot-plate street-food found in Bangkok. There are lots of other tasty morsels worth investing in: crispy chicken wontons, steamed pork and chive dumplings or tasty little Thai style crackers – all delicious.
midnight 10am–6pm
DELIVERY: to G11, G12, G20, G3, G14. Charge DELIVERY: Mon–Sat 5–9pm
£1.50. Will also deliver alcohol.
Seconds from Hillhead Underground, Masala Twist adds a splash of colour to an already vibrant area with it’s l amboyant doorman dressed in traditional Indian i nery. This fun touch is typical of this hitlisted restaurant and is further demonstrated throughout its takeaway offerings, which as well as the usuals includes many tasty ‘twists’ using Scottish ingredients. Haggis pakoras, are dense and spiced, while from Rajasthan zyakedar hiran uses earthy chunks of venison to good effect in an aromatic curry. There can’t be many Indians in town boasting junglee khargosh, rabbit curry, as well as an impressive Nestling opposite Kelvingrove Gallery, the Little Café has been offering its pizza, deli, and coffee wares for around three years but has only recently begun offering a delivery service. From Monday to Saturday you can order up one of their delicious thin-based pizzas, though on Sundays it’s collection only – offering the chance of a stroll in the park to the café itself to take one home with you. If the bases are good, the toppings are of the same quality, and the café’s deli leanings mean that you can munch on the sumptuous pastrami and rocket combo. If you’re looking for some additional greenery, then their Mediterranean salad is a fresh and tasty treat.
Full reviews of our top 50 takeaways in Glasgow and Edinburgh are online at list.co.uk TIPLISTS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE LIST’S FOOD & DRINK TEAM
SLICK DELIVERY GOOD FOR
CURRYING
VEGETARIANS FAVOURITES
Ashoka West End Café Salma
Balti Club Woodlands, 0141 332 5495, balticlub.co.uk Curry Pot
Dumbarton Road, 0141 334 1549, currypots.co.uk OKO
City Centre, 0141 332 5200, okoglasgow.co.uk Taco Mazama Mexican Kitchen
City Centre, 0141 248 8940, tacomazama.co.uk Village Curry House Tradeston, 0141 429 4610, villagecurryhouse. com
Kelvingrove, 0141 339 3371, ashokarestaurants. com Cailin’s Sushi
Finnieston, 0141 334 8637 Dakhin Merchant City, 0141 553 2585, dakhin.com Four Seasons
Cowcaddens, 0141 332 2666, fourseasons- restaurant.co.uk Ichiban Japanese Noodle Café
Dumbarton Road, 0141 334 9222, ichiban.co.uk
SI! PIZZA Pizza Magic
Hughenden, 0141 339 8544, pizzamagic.com CC’s Wood-i red Pizza Pie Company
Charing Cross, 0141 221 7636, cafesalma.com Chillies West End
Woodlands, 0141 331 0494, chillieswestend.com The Dhabba Clarkston, 0141 637 8883, ccpizza.co.uk Casa Blanca
Merchant City, 0141 553 1249, thedhabba.com Nakodar Grill Dennistoun, 0141 556 4430, nakodargrill.com Yadgar Kebab House
Hyndland, 0141 339 9190 Little Italy Byres Road, 0141 339 6287, littleitalyglasgow. com Fratelli Sarti
Govanhill, 0141 424 3722, yadgar.co.uk City Centre, 0141 572 7000, sarti.co.uk
BEST DISHES
• The Den at Dining In with Mother India’s butter chicken • Kebabish Grill’s spit-roasted baby chicken
• Dino Ferrari’s spaghetti marinara • Chow’s dim sum
• Pinto Mexican Kitchen’s burrito barbacoa
SPECIAL EXTRAS
• Bon Appétit’s nutritionally oriented options • The Calabash Restaurant’s African specialities
• CC’s Wood-i red Pizza’s low-salt ethos
• Dakhin’s poster-size paper dosas • Pizza Magic’s wine and beer delivery
15 Nov–13 Dec 2012 THE LIST 13