A GOUROCK man is going back to his roots as he opens an Indian restaurant in his home town - and brings some old family recipes back to life.

Matt Kandola's family ran Greenock's first ever Indian restaurant, Bangalore, bringing the taste of the Punjab to West Blackhall Street.

Now the 45-year-old is swapping life in the fast lane as a supercar salesman for the rich taste of traditional cooking by opening the Royal India, in Hopeton Street.

It was Matt's uncle Ronnie who opened the Bangalore - a restaurant whose pioneering status means it still holds a special place in the hearts of many an Inverclyde diner to this day.

And his dad Graham, 71, is also a well-known local businessman, owning and running a Key Store as well as his own chain of restaurants.

Now Matt is taking a step back in time to go into the traditional family business - though he hopes to add some new ingredients to his recipe for success.

He said: "My dad was looking for something one day in the house and was going through old papers. He came across the old family recipes they used the restaurant. It was like looking at The Goonies' map! It planted a seed in my mind. I thought 'we could do something with this'.

"When my uncle and my dad opened restaurants, there was a very 'west of Scotland' flavour to it all. It was Glasgow and the west coast that brought us the tikka masala. I wanted to recapture some of that. It is a very unique taste. blending local ingredients with Indian cooking.

I worked in restaurants growing up, but like many sons and daughters, I went down a different route. I had my own garage. But I decided to create something different. Now I see my dad coming back to life. He comes here and gets involved.

We have only been opened a few weeks, but it is going well. People say they love the taste of the food. It feels new." They come for a meal and they are staying long after they finish, chatting. It is lovely. We want a community. All our staff are local and our chefs are trained in the traditional way.

My dad came here in 1977 from the Punjab. His first job was delivering spices to restaurants."

Matt grew up in Gourock with dad Matt, mum Binder, 70, and his two sisters, going to Gourock Primary and then Gourock High.

He said: "It has been lovely since we opened, I have met my best friend from school and other people I grew up with. "

The Royal India, which was previously Fusion, creates even more choice on a Gourock food scene which is now bustling and full of choice as never before.

The new restaurant draws on the very best the family's businesses had to offer in the past - not just at the Bangalore, but also at his dad's restaurant, the Waterfront Tandoori in Largs. including the Bangalore and his dad's restaurant the Waterfront Tandoori in Largs.

The Royal India celebrates the collaboration of Scottish and Indian flavours with some top favourites on the menu including pakora flavoured with beer or Irn-Bru. But Matt is also keen to bring the personal touch with him, and the self-confessed animal lover has created the 'Invisible Nan' bread - with all proceeds going towards the Gourock-based Underheugh Ark Rescue centre, in memory of his dog Snoop.

He said: "I was devastated when Snoop died. He was a Weimaraner and he was my best friend. He was just the best dog. When he had cancer I was heartbroken. I still find it hard to talk about. I started volunteering for Underheugh and this is my way of giving something back."

Matt is loving swapping his old world as a garage boss, selling the very best cars on the market, for the new, owning his own restaurant. He said: "I loved the cars, it was amazing. But it is great to be here in Gourock with a restaurant. I love working with my dad."

Bowman Rebecchi was delighted to support with the letting of this property and we wish Matt and his team every success with the new restaurant.

Article credit: Greenock telegraph - Gourock man opens restaurant Royal India in home town | Greenock Telegraph