It was the acclaimed Indian restaurant that spiced up the life of a generation of Glasgow curry lovers.
Established at the Killermont Polo Club in 1989, Glasgow curry house Shimla Pinks was one of the trendiest eateries in the city and soon expanded into major cities up and down the UK.
Renowned for their revolutionary philosophy of serving up traditional Indian fare with a modern twist, Shimla Pinks were the epitome of class and sophistication with designer interiors that aimed to impress.
READ MORE: Glasgow's history with tikka masala and the restaurant claiming to have created it
Their menu was an eclectic fusion of northern and southern Indian cuisine, while also maintaining the traditional Punjabi influence. The team followed classic Indian tradition and used only "natural ingredients, incorporating fresh herbs and spices in the preparation of their dishes".
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The a la carte menu included Tandoor-roasted pink Scottish salmon, jumbo king prawns, Chooza Makhani, Kundan Kaliya, and whole host of old favourites, such as Tikka Masala, Korma and Rogan Josh.
In the 1990s, the restaurant at the corner of Pollokshaws Road and Balvicar Street proved to be a big favourite among celebs and the top Celtic and Rangers stars of the day. Shimla's was the place to be and to be seen.
One picture sourced from our Mirrorpix archive shows legendary Gers' striker Ally McCoist and Hoops wizard Paolo Di Canio attending the opening of Shimla Pinks' newest curry house alongside owner Tony Ali. Putting their rivalries aside for the evening, the footballing pair are all smiles as they prepare for an evening of delicious Indian cuisine.
The curry house chain proved a big hit here in Glasgow and further afield. In a newspaper advert that appeared in the Birmingham Post in 1998, Shimla Pinks' restaurants were described as "smart, stylish and sophisticated".
It read: "The group's restaurants are innovatively designed and in striking contrast to the competition. Each of them has proved almost immediately successful and they have established reputations for providing good food, great service and value for money".
Shimla Pinks thrived for more than 20 years, but by the 2010s, many of the award-winning chain's restaurants were beginning to feel the bite of the credit crunch. Popular outlets in Manchester and Birmingham had shut their doors by 2014, with Shimla Pinks' Pollokshaws restaurant following suit two years later.
The former curry house at 777 Pollokshaws Road is now a popular gastropub called Brodies bar and restaurant.
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