On the Food Radar Restaurant news and our favourite food finds

ON THE FOOD RADAR

New openings, must-try menus and foodie finds

Something For Everyone

Can’t decide if tonight’s takeaway should be curry, pizza or fried chicken? Tribe Kitchen is the answer to your prayers. The new food delivery service which has just launched in Edinburgh is all about choice and the highest quality food. Using a high-tech cloud kitchen concept, it allows customers to order from an ever-expanding list of independent restaurants, cooks the food in one place and sends it all out for delivery together. Finally, no more arguing over what to have for dinner. For 30% off your first order, food only, from 23 Sept until 11 November, enter the code ION30 at the online checkout. www.tribe-kitchen.com

Artful eating

Carrie Mitchell visits El Cartel Roxburgh, the newest addition to the Mexican street food family

Ihave a confession – I have never eaten at El Cartel. Though this is not for lack of trying. Many an evening I’ve rocked up to the Thistle Street taqueria hoping to bag a table but my appetite has never been able to withstand the inevitable long wait. Fortunately, the new restaurant (the third in the family) is positively cavernous in comparison to the titchy original and, best of all, you can actually book. I know, right? Revolutionary.

Speaking of which, the first thing to catch my eye, when I eventually find the restaurant hidden down a close off the Royal Mile, is a huge mural apparently inspired by the Mexican Revolution. With bold colours and giant dimensions, it’s hard to tear my eyes away but my dining companions arrive at the same time as a round of frozen margaritas, £7.50 each, so my attention is understandably diverted. Our friendly waiters keep the icy drinks coming while we take our time over the menu, eventually ordering almost one of everything.

Mere minutes pass before a colourful array of food begins to arrive, transforming our table, plate by plate, into a work of art in itself. Not that it stays pretty for long – a bowl of Guacamole National, £7, is speedily scooped up with crispy plantain chips; sweet, fried Chamoy wings, £9, are torn into with sticky fingers; cream cheese hot jalapeño bombers, £5, explode in our mouths; and silky salmon ceviche, £8, is savoured only briefly before we turn hungrily to the tacos. There’s a slow cooked pork shoulder (Cochinita Pibil, £7), perfectly charred yet pink flat iron steak (Carne Asada, £7), battered cod with punchy pico de gallo (Baja Cod, £7) and the obligatory veggie option (Sweet Potato, £6). When we realise we’ve demolished the lot, we’re bereft. There’s only one thing for it – another round of margaritas, my friend.

Here’s Looking at You, Kid Not content with being recognised as Scotland’s sexiest hotel, House of Gods have opened their own sexy dining concept, The Casablanca Cocktail Club. Located across a courtyard from the Cowgate hotel, the part restaurant, part late night hotspot promises to be the capital’s most decadent destination. The opulent menu features extravagant dishes including a ‘24 carat gold Wagyu burger’ and ‘Scallop Chicken Wings marinated in Dom Perignon’. As you would expect, tables are in high demand so make sure you book ahead…and dress to impress. www.casablancacocktailclub.com

Bombay Flavours To Your Front Door

Dishoom’s new Home Feast is no ordinary meal kit. From the beautifully designed box to the thoughtful extras (incense sticks for ambience, Dishoom tea towel, proper metal skewers), every detail has been carefully considered to create a real sense of occasion. And the food? Wow, the food. Firstly, there’s A LOT of it - two signature curries - the Mattar Paneer and House Black Daal, chicken Murgh Malai and Lamb Sheekh Kabab, Tawa Roti, a couple of fresh, punchy side dishes plus dessert and a bottle of Mango Lassi. And secondly, it’s all straightforward to prepare and as good as any meal you’ll be served in the actual Dishoom restaurant. It’ll certainly blow your local Indian takeaway out of the water. The Dishoom Home Feast, £60, serves 2-4 people and is available for nationwide delivery. store.dishoom.com

FREE WINE!

Thought that would get your attention. It is true though. Book yourself a table for lunch at Whiskers Wine Bar & Bistro in Stockbridge and i-on readers will receive a complimentary glass of wine. Offering classical French cooking by Chez Roux trained chef Jonathon Cook, the welcoming restaurant on Raeburn Place is the perfect place for a long, leisurely lunch. The offer is only available for prebooked lunches from Thursday to Saturday. Simply mention the i-on upgrade when you book. Tel. 0131 343 3681, www.whiskerswinecafe.co.uk