One of the great joys of getting to know some of the cafe and restaurant owners that we’ve met on our travels is that when they’re working on new ideas they sometimes drop us a line to play the role of their guinea pigs.

A few weeks ago MJ and I spent a lovely lunchtime at Union of Genius testing bread options for their delicious bunny chow that they subsequently showcased from Dumbo the Soup Van at the Meadows Festival.

Continuing the curry theme, it’s always lovely to hear from the folks at Mithas. Aside from our original 40/40 review of the place, which still stands alone at the top of the Lunchquest tree, we visited last year when they launched their suave and sophisticated cocktail bar.

This evening, along with fellow food devotees Gemma from Edin Blogger, Graham from Edinburgh Foody and Iain and Kate from Citylicious, we were invited for a trial run of their Street Food menu, which they will showcase in their stylish Leith premises from 1 – 17 July.

I could go into extensive detail about the complexity, elegance and flavour sensation of the dishes, but it’s a brand of restaurant theatre that you really need to sample first hand. The photos give some sense of the incredible quality on offer.

I will mention the highly inventive selection of drinks that we sampled, including a cracking salted buttermilk concoction, some sugar cane juice that transported me back to the heady days of Cuban guarapo, a cumin and lime zing shot, and some nut and cardamom infused milk.

Service was as immaculate and engaging as ever. Pramod and the team in the kitchen continue to deliver consummate excellence.

If you had to press me for a single highlight, aside from the highly entertaining company, it would be bhelpuri, the traditional Bombay mix of puffed rice, vegetables and spices. The little cone of it that opened proceedings was an absolute joy and set the tone for another great evening in a truly spectacular restaurant.

I’d strongly recommend booking to try the menu. Full details on their website.