DIL RAJ, 63 HIGH STREET

Opened in March 2007. Seats about forty with modern, if fairly plain surroundings. I was told by a waiter that it was unconnected with any other restaurant in town, but his command of English was somewhat lacking so I wouldn't bank on it, particularly as the less straightforward menu descriptions of many dishes are the same as other restaurants in town (Gandhi, Rickshaw etc.), so either there is a connection or there's a bit of plagiarism going on!

Having said that there are a good number of different dishes listed as well as all the usual suspects. I must confess I wasn't expecting too much (I can only put it down to the location and the fairly average layout of the restaurant, which is quite illogical of course) but I was pleasantly surprised. I first went in March shortly after they opened, and found it good, so I have been back for a take-away several times since. All the dishes have been of a good standard. The Ginger Murgh was slightly unusual as it was a chicken kebab dish rather than chicken meat, but was very tasty with plenty of ginger. The Sabzi Dansak as a main dish was also excellent, being robustly spiced with a good selection of vegetables. Chicken Tikka Pathia an excellent flavour, Tandoori Chicken a good size and well marinated, and all other dishes up to scratch, particularly the Garlic Nan, which although slightly on the small side, was light and moreish.

Service efficient enough, and with the take-away they give me three complimentary popadoms (and a bottle of lager on the last two occasions!). Portions good and prices about average. I hope it does well, but I do have slight doubts, not because of the quality of the food which is good but the location is probably not the best (the high street is not, as the name suggests, the main road through town, there is no through traffic to give passing trade or parking, and it can be a little rough and rowdy on weekend evenings) and there is plenty of competition in town. It would not be the first Indian restaurant to have failed in that spot, but I hope it does well and lasts as it deserves to. I await with interest to see what its future holds.