THE Bridge of Don-based Shish Tandoori Indian Restaurant is celebrating its fifth anniversary this summer – and is now firmly ensconced as one of the North-east Scotland’s most popular eating establishments.
Located at 9 Ellon Road, near the banks of the River Don, and Old Aberdeen, the Shish is very much a family-run business where the personal touch is paramount – spear headed by genial mine host, Joe Ghaly, whom has a wealth of experience in the quality restaurant business in Aberdeen.
The Shish’s elegant dining room, sprinkled with intriguing Indian artefacts, comfortably seats 50 patrons in a warm and intimate atmosphere. The well-stocked cocktail bar offers aperitifs and a wide range of fine wines before the daunting decision of choosing your meal from an extensive, contemporary and cosmopolitan menu at highly competitive prices.
If regular and repeat customers are the hallmark of culinary excellence, the Shish Tandoori most certainly ears this accolade. Understandably, Indian food is at the core of the restaurant’s cuisine culture, and there are more than a dozen starters, and a bewitching choice of main courses.
Naturally, the Shish specialises in an absorbing range of Tandoori and Tikka dishes with a strong North Punjabi influence – all based on original sauces. Prices range from £8.95 for Tandoori Chicken to £13.95 for jumbo prawn tikka. And adding a distinctly cosmopolitan touch are Egyptian kebab (chicken) at £8.95 and Turkish kebab (lamb) at £9.25.
As Joe Ghaly observes: “This authentic way of cooking captures all the flavour and natural goodness of the meat, poultry and fish. Tandoori is also extremely healthy as most of the fat is lost during cooking.” The meat is mildly spiced, marinated in yoghurt sauce, and sealed over fire in the traditional clay oven.
There’s a series of popular dishes – most of which can be prepared from a choice of chicken, lamb, prawns and vegetables; and an enterprising “ Something New” section. All the curry dishes are cooked in olive oil and additives kept to a minimum.
You simply must try Joe’s own “Ghaly Masala” – specially prepared on a low heat with ground cashew nuts, roasted coconut powered, ground chillies and finished off with coriander. Among a plethora of dished, which especially tempting to the taste buds are the South Indian Garlic Chilli and cream of prawn and salmon chilli.
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