Roti

We ate at Roti on a rugby Saturday and where surprised to get a table on such a busy night (we had tried a couple of other places). It was pretty full, but I got the impression that it was usually half empty and therein I think lies it's problem.

It certainly doesn't have any problems with the food - a modern Scottish take on Indian classics. The beef Vindaloo in particular was fantastic - a rich stew of slow cooked quality beef that melted in the mouth with the zing of fresh spices. The saffron potatoes with it where good but not spectacular. My partner's chicken main was also bursting with flavour. Starters of Haggis Pakora and something I've forgotten were pretty good also.

Now on to the not so good bits - it's pricey, in fact it's expensive and the portions are not that large so a starter is a necessity rather than an indulgence.

The table beside us ordered something which they didn't have, and a wine they didn't have - and it was this and the mild air of desperation that gave the feeling that Roti is struggling. With such a big space it needs to be packed but the location isn't brilliant and the waiting staff were not great (when my girlfriend enquired about the heat of a dish she was told "if you don't like spice you should have gone to the chinese" by our Scottish waiter).

All in all, Roti is good where it matters - cooking and ingredients... but everything else is showing the strain of a struggling restaurant.

Having visited Mr. Singhs in Glasgow ( which I enjoyed very much ) I was looking forward to dinning in Roti Edinburgh having met the new managment in Mr. Singhs I found the level of his customer service exceptional, he could not do enough for his customers.
I was not disapointed.The feel of the resturant was up market yet relaxed, the service was second to none. The staff couldn't have been more atentive and friendly yet very professional.
The food was exceptional in every way, presentation and taste. The chef came out ro ask if we had enjoyed our meal and if there was anything more he could do for us,(which I felt wasa very nice gesture and totaly genuine).
I and several of my friends have now dined at Roti on many occassions and find it a totally exceptional dining experience with fisrt class service.
Th food is certainly NOT your tipical Indian cusine, ( which I do feel you can get in any good Indian resturant in Edinburgh) it is something quite diffrent to be savoured and enjoyed.
I have absouletly no hesitation in recomending this resturant as one of "The Best In Edinburgh"

Roti's day has gone now and in the past in must remain. Roti was THE Indian food experience in Edinburgh when Tony Singh launched his Oloroso sibling back in 2005 located snugly away in Rose Street Lane. The description above did it justice, many of us were worried that by moving to Morrison Street he was selling out and the quality of his food would be compromised for the restaurants’ location, not so. The introduction of the Tiffin menu was a stroke of genius whilst still maintaining the excellent quality of the a la carte menu.

I was concerned that this would mean different menus etc under the new management (from Oct 08) but was glad to see the menu and recipes have remained the same, what has changed is the attitude and quality of what was excellent Indian food. I have been to Roti twice since the new management took over and have been disappointed both times, with the A la Carte and Tiffin. Roti’s naans used to be legendary, thin, crisp, warm and spicy, now they are doughy, semi warm slightly burnt and simply just not that tasty. Tony's Indian chips were deliciously spiced twice fried potato heroes delivered with a tangy chilli dip, now they are just dull lifeless burnt potato wedges.

As Roti regulars for many years, my partner and I were very disappointed with our Tiffin’s last night. Although the menu and recipes were the same, the quality of the ingredients used were much lower than when Tony was in command, presumably to reduce costs and maximise profit. Examples: The Mahi Jhol (which is a fish stew Tiffin) was 50% potato and cauliflower and of the fish that was there was tough and 'old'. The Crab Banjara's meat was almost on the turn and that tang was overpowering the other delicate flavours of the dish. We ordered four Tiffin’s, Indian style chips, cumin rice and a garlic naan, our order arrived 30 minutes later (in Tony’s day it was always less than 10, even when the main restaurant was busy) but the naan was absent. No one was interested in how our meal was with all staff making sure the stag party at the next table had enough lager (Stag party?) When our plates where half empty, the Manager himself tried to take our plates away at which point I complained that we were still waiting for our naan. Ten minutes later the Manager returned and almost threw the naan basket at us in disgust and walked away, not one whisper of an apology, just burnt doughy naan. The arrival of the naan at this point was pointless as the edible food that was left had got cold waiting for the bread side dish which we believe is an essential staple when enjoying an Indian meal.

The new Management are attempting to turn what was one of Edinburgh’s finest restaurants into just another curry house. A genuine shame, the Roti brand is not what it once