Restaurants on the menu for Scotland's 'culinary Oscars'

A SERIES of restaurants from the Capital have made the final shortlist for an event dubbed Scotland's "culinary Oscars".

The Balmoral Hotel's Number One restaurant is in the running for the best hotel restaurant at the Scottish Restaurant Awards, which will be hosted by Off The Ball star and food critic Tam Cowan.

Chop Chop, the Chinese restaurant hailed by Gordon Ramsay as one of the best in the country during his TV series The F Word, is up against Glasgow rivalS See Woo and Nanakusa in the best oriental restaurant category.

Indian vegetarian restaurant Kalpna, in St Patrick Square, and Dalkeith-based Itihaas have made the four-strong shortlist for the best Indian eaterie.

Cucina is in the running for the best Italian award, while Castle Terrace is up for newcomer of the year and The Pompador is competing for the best customer service title. The event, sponsored by 5pm.co.uk, will take place at Glasgow Science Centre on Monday.

Restaurants in each category were initially nominated by food fans across the country. All shortlisted establishments have since been visited anonymously by a team of judges.

Ronnie Somerville, from event partners 5pm.co.uk, said: "The current climate has been difficult for restaurateurs, so these awards are more important than ever in celebrating and rewarding the industry's hard work."