The Guru has been a favourite of ours for over 10 years. The restaurant itself isn’t anything to shout about but the food, oh the food.. well that’s delicious and great value too.

The last time I went with my mum. We’d been to see the new version of Wuthering Heights which was quite frankly hell, how we managed to last for whole 45 mins I’ll never know. After creeping out part way through we needed something good to cheer us up and The Guru is always a safe bet. You’ve probably guessed that it’s an Indian restaurant which serves everything you’d expect from an Indian.

The staff are always wonderful and really attentive. For starter we shared a mixed pakora and poppadums with all the chutneys and oniony bits. The portions are huge so we got a chicken tikka balti korma which is one of the specials. I actually really love the dopiaza too but my stomach is a bit sensitive at the moment! We also had a pilau rice and the largest garlic naan you’ve ever seen – my mum stuck her hand up against it so you could get a good idea of just how big it was.

The bill came in at under £30 and we left with a doggy bag for Alex (yes, one curry fed three people that night!) and feeling like we’d had a bargain. Remains a family favourite and we would give it a good 8/10

www.gurubaltirestaurant.co.uk

More ‘Eating Out in Edinburgh’ reviews;

Mamma’s Pizza 6/10

We were invited to review the brand new IMAX screen in Edinburgh. Unfortunately I was unable to go so my brother and sister in law stepped in, over to them..

The first thing you notice when you walk in is the size and shape of the screen – it’s noticeably bigger, with a slight concave curve to it. As soon the trailers started, I was pretty much sold on the technology. The screen quality is markedly better in comparison to a regular cinema screen. If you’ve ever upgraded your CRT Television to a Full HD Flatscreen, it’s the same kind of thing on a bigger scale. The seats are closer to the screen because of this, which makes for a more immersive experience. When the trailer for The Dark Knight Rises played, I had goosebumps, and immediately decided that I’d be seeing it in IMAX when it is released.

We were there to see Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. Definitely a good choice to show off the capabilities of IMAX: Big action scenes, swooping skyline shots, and explosions. When a building blows up you’ll be dodging out the way of flying bricks. When Tom Cruise looks over the side of the world’s tallest building vertigo kicks in, and your

stomach lurches. As well as this a new sound system has been installed in the wall panelling, using some sort of fancy laser technology. It’s a real step up in audio quality – you even hear the difference when the movie is silent as there’s no background hum or hiss, so you could hear a pin drop.

So far so good then, but what are the drawbacks? Well, I really don’t see much value in IMAX for anything that isn’t a big action movie – This isn’t going to add a great deal to your average rom-com for example. The big one for me is cost. The IMAX screen in Edinburgh will, at least initially, cost an extra £4.30 on top of your regular ticket price, which is £8.30 for an adult. That’s a total cost of £12.60, which I’m sure you’ll agree isn’t exactly cheap. It’d have to be something I REALLY wanted to see – as I mentioned I’d fork out the extra for The Dark Knight Rises, and a few other select action franchises, but at that price I’d definitely be picky.

I love our annual trip to Edinburgh’s Winter Wonderland. There’s ice skating, a big wheel and even a helter skelter but I don’t go for any of that, I go for the food. The German market and Highland market have the most delicious food, Alex and I made our pilgrimmage on Sunday.

As you approach the markets from Princes St (our equivalent of Oxford) you can see the twinkly lights and smell the sweet and savoury delights ahead. Ignore the naff van selling chips and candy floss and head into the wooden hut village erected especially at the end of November, wander through and on your right hand side you’ll see huge heart shaped biscuits and candied almonds and cashews. Further on, German chocolate and cakes and at the end of the lane a hut selling a potatoes, bacon and onion dish and hot punch which is called fire something or other, it’s all you can smell at that end. Around the corner huge hot dogs and cups of hot chocolate followed by mini donuts. Across the way a ‘health food’ stall that looks desolate.

Turn right into a little throughway and the Highland Market opens up before you. There’s a small hut shredding whole roast hogs and serving them on morning rolls with bramley apple sauce, they were delicious. The same stall was also selling huge venison burgers and next door was cooking up the Scottish favourite haggis. A small street cart against a tree were toasting chestnuts and handing them out in ten pence mixture bags, I’ve always wondered what chestnuts taste like, maybe next year. We wandered past the Aberdeen Angus hut where they were grilling huge handmade burgers.

Finally we doubled back on ourselves and headed for the Belgian waffle stand where we ordered two waffles with lashings of melted nutella thank you very much. As we stood huddled in the freezing cold savouring the waffles there was a momentary power failure and we were plunged into darkness thankfully someone put the plug back in and we were back to the warm twinkly atmosphere in no time.

Photo by Flickr user Jungleboy

Aharrrrr me hearties!

We’re off to see and review Robinson Crusoe and the Carribean Pirates at the Kings Theatre. Ruth who represents the Kings Theatre in Edinburgh has kindly provided us three tickets for press night – 2nd December 2009, which happens to be hubby’s birthday

There aren’t any major celebs just the usual favourites Andy Stewart and Grant Stott (John Leslie’s brother, or maybe that’s half brother) plus some woman from Taggart, not that any of this bothers me the celebs are neither here nor there to me. The last time Erin went to the panto (with Granny) she had to leave due to the “scary king” which she’s harped on about ever since, hopefully we’ll make it to final curtain this time.

We’ll be making a donation nearer the time to the NACCPO ? The National Alliance of Childhood Cancer Parents? Organisations in the hope that we can meet our target of ?300, you can read more about the campaign and follow our progress at www.havealovelytime.com. If you are yet to choose your christmas charity this year perhaps you could support the NACCPO and join us in reaching the target.

Saying goodbye was just as expected, horrible. I choked back the tears and made my farewell a quick one. Weather is rubbish in Edinburgh so won’t be missing that. Completely forgot about the liquids thing at security, ended up having to remove the two bottles of Baileys (miniature, than you very much) I’d packed for this evening into a seperate clear package, baggage lady just smirked. I was able to keep my two accompanying toblerones safely stowed away. Didn’t really want to get involved with shopping today so grabbed a toothbrush and book – ‘Just a Family Affair’ by Veronica Henry and headed to my departure gate.

We had a lovely day yesterday, we decorated our christmas tree, matching colours have given way to an eclectic mix of decorations since Erin came along. This is the first year she’s shown an interest in the christmas tree and was surprisingly helpful.

Afterwards we went out for some lunch and then headed for the Winter Wonderland in Edinburgh. We saw the ice skaters, had a ride on the teacups, and bought some decorations and candles. The day was rounded of with sweets for Erin, donuts and chocolate sauce for me and belgian waffle for my husband (it was his birthday too). I’m well and truly in the christmas spirit now

I recently suggested a budget conscious day out in the centre of Edinburgh, today I have another value combo once again right in the centre of Edinburgh (around two minutes walk from the Royal Mile).
The National Museum of Scotland is on Chambers Street, unfortunately we visited with only an hour or so to spare. Even so we visited the bottom floor which houses interactive displays such as a reaction board thingy, em, you know, you hit the buttons as they light up and see how slow/fast your reactions are. Other highlights included a full size F1 car which simulated a race and Dolly the Sheep (stuffed and encased). Other floors travel through time with various Scottish artefacts, we definitely need to make a return visit to explore the rest of the floors.

We found the National Museum child friendly but not particularly pram friendly, leave the pram if possible. There is a cafe and gift shop. Admission to the museum is FREE.

Cross the road and you’ll find Vittoria’s, a smart affordable italian restaurant with a good reputation. The decor was really stylish, airy and child friendly (crayons and paper provided!) we all felt immediately relaxed. The lunch menu offers pasta dishes at ?5.50 and other options range from ?5-?7. We enjoyed spaghetti carbonara and burger & chips, both very tasty but the highlight was the ?2.95 portion of garlic bread, unlike the usual 2/3 piece portion you usually receive we were wide eyed as a basket of what looked like a loaf’s worth arrived, a nice touch which costs the restaurant very little but left us with a generous impression. As an extra special treat we enjoyed some real italian ice-cream and coffee. The green apple sorbet and pistachio ice cream are worth a try, perhaps not together though!

Photo by flickr user hapticflapjack

Visiting Edinburgh with a preschooler? The Museum of Childhood is a FREE (please consider making a small donation if possible) attraction on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, easy to overlook it’s placed about half way down. Spread over several floors the glass cases house antique toys, teddies and dolls. There are toys that young children will enjoy playing with including a dolls house and homemade fishing game along with several interactive exhibits. There is a small gift shop at the entrance/exit.

Enjoy a couple of hours here before heading to Monster Mash (5 minutes walk) for old-fashioned meals in an authentic setting. Served on your granny’s old dinner plates the speciality is sausages, mash and gravy served in several different flavours. Also on the menu, various pies, fish and haggis. Most main courses come in at under ?6.

For a budget conscious day out in the heart of Edinburgh this combo is difficult to beat!

Photo by flickr user notcub

I’ve been tagged by Kimberlyn to give my favourite restaurants in my local area.

I live in Edinburgh, Scotland.

My Five Favourite Restaurants (in no particular order)

1. The Guru Balti

For indian, the Guru is simply the best. The decor in the restaurant can be a little drab and I probably wouldn’t take Erin there(lack of facilities for kids), but the food is amazing. My favourites are the Chicken Dopiaza and the special Chicken Tikka Korma. Best korma ever. It’s extremely reasonably priced and as the menu states ‘portion are larger than normal’. They aren’t joking either the naan breads are the size of tyres. Best for take-away.

2. The Ping On

Situated in Stockbridge, the Ping On Chinese Restaurant is a family favourite. The decor is ‘old skool’, as is the service. The staff are very child friendly, Erin has been a few times now and always has a good time. The banquet is the best choice for under £20 ($40) you get soup, crackers, duck & pancakes, prawn toast, chinese ribs, a variety of dishes with egg fried rice, coffee and mints. Great for sharing a meal with family.

3. La Partenope

For Italian, you can’t go wrong with La Partenope in Dalry. The decor is modern, with not a chequered cloth in sight. They do a business lunch that I’d highly recommend for it’s value. Nice coupley place to go in the evening. The menu includes all the favourites, their Panacotta desert is a highlight along with doorstep style Garlic Bread. Mmmmm.

4. Hunters Tryst/Montpeliers

Ok, I am bending the rules here with two. In the pub category is Hunter’s Tryst in Oxgangs. The food is cheap and tasty, the atmosphere is relaxed. We go here if we’re short on money. If we’re feeling a little flush we head to Montpeliers in morningside, great food and cocktails, the potato wedges are the best!

5. Luca’s

Luca’s is an ice cream shop in Morningside that also sells beautiful confectionary. Upstairs is a very reasonably priced cafe where you can get sandwiches for under £2.50 ($5) sit-in, also on the menu, burgers, lasagne, and omlettes. Erin loves it here, her favourite is the Junior Nut Parfait with Teddy Bear Wafer.

And so to the tagging, I’d like to hear Mother at Large’s favourites as she is here in Edinburgh too and Yaro’s in Brisbane, Australia, and Trent’s thrifty choices.