Although predominantly an Indian restaurant it seemed fairly cosmopolitan as it is French owned and the waiting staff were comprised three white English and one Asian, while the chefs comprised two English (white) and one Indian. It seats 50 on the ground floor and a further twenty in another room on the first floor (which could be used for functions etc) It is very modern design, with dull yellow and maroon painted plain walls and polished light wood flooring. The tablecloths and cutlery were all high quality (he proudly showed me that the plates were all Wedgwood!). The kitchen is open, being situated midway up the steps between the first and second floor dining areas, so those going up and down can watch the chefs at work. It seemed a spotlessly clean shiny area of stainless steel where the chefs worked. The popadoms, rice, onion bhajias at the side all looked good, as did a chicken dish I saw being prepared. However, I did notice the lack of much by way of spicy smells which I would have expected in an Indian kitchen.

The menu had a number of interesting specials, allegedly from Mauritius or Zanzibar, plus a section of the more traditional Indian dishes. However, prices certainly weren’t cheap - many standard main dishes at about £9.75 and specials more expensive - although I was assured that they only use top quality ingredients.

We thought we might splash out and eat there in the evening, but in the event this lost out to another restaurant we discovered slightly later. I felt quite guilty given his effusive help, but that’s life! I can’t, therefore, add to this report be giving a view on the food. My intuition tells me that it would have been good quality and efficiently served (to a middle class and middle aged clientele) but I suspect that it would have been quite bland - perhaps too much so for those who like their curries robustly spiced. Maybe I’m doing them an injustice, but perhaps future reports will tell.

Malcolm Wilkins -  April 2001