This review is quite a challenge. While I really do enjoy the food at the Britannia Spice I’m rarely in a rush to go back. So why is that?
The food really is good. We’re talking a range of Indian dishes that feel authentic, are well made and presented. My strong suspicion is that the kitchen makes very little use of evils like MSG which is why the food tastes familiar yet a little different. It may also explain why I don’t get that impulse urge to go back.
Prices are pretty good too. I have memories of Britannia Spice being expensive. It would be a date treat before heading off to Ocean Terminal and going to see a film. I made the point of checking out the whole menu with money in mind the last time I was there and it didn’t seem expensive at all. I would suggest that the restaurant hasn’t increased the amount they charge significantly in years.
Britannia Spice, I think, is the sort of Indian restaurant where you might expect to pay a few quid extra. It’s large and clean. The staff are well trained, friendly and quick.
There’s a nautical theme to the restaurant. That’s entirely appropriate for Ocean Drive and their proximity to Leith Docks. The place is decorated with model ships, nautical pictures and lots of brass.
It’s the physical appearance of Britannia Spice that is the prime suspect as to why the food can be good and yet the urge to return not manifest as often as it could. On one hand the décor suggests expense and luxury but on the other it now feels a little dated. The Britannia Spice is clean and tidy, that’s not the problem, the problem seems to be that the style just feels out of date. There’s a mental nudge there to suggest that things might not be entirely right.
Despite concerns over why I don’t go back to the Britannia Spice half as often I should the fact remains that I rather like the place. There’s plenty of competition and the corner of Ocean Drive isn’t really a superb spot but I still make the effort to trek out there and pop in. That simply wouldn’t happen if the food was anything less than good.
Overall? Don’t be put off – the next time you’re up towards the Ocean Terminal end of Leith and are looking for some food, make your way along Ocean Drive and give the Britannia Spice a go. If you do; let me know whether you agree with the observations about the décor or whether the food is familiar yet slightly different.
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