In search of an evening meal after a day watching cricket, we decided to drop in at the Indian restaurant and takeaway we have passed many times in Heckmondwike.

Samarkand, or Sammy's as it is affectionately called by regulars, is a very popular eating place.

When we arrived early on Saturday evening there was already a lively atmosphere with family groups dining.

Sammy's is not licensed but that did not seem to cause a problem for the regulars. I saw one arrive with a cool box full of beers, others brought their favourite wine or beer while we were quite happy to settle for a jug of ice-cold water.

It is impossible not to notice the friendliness of the staff and in particular the proprietor Sammy Laher. He makes it his business to visit every table to make sure everything is just so.

The venue has a wide selection of starters and main courses. We snacked on the poppadums and pickles while we pondered our choices.

Lee seetled for a very spicy seekh kebab (£1.75) which was garnished with salad while I went for the mixed kebab (£2.95). My dish consisted of a seekh kebab, a shami kebab and an onion bhaji. All three were delightful.

For main course, Lee opted for the vegetable rogan josh (£5.95) and ordered a naan (£1.20). She was soon showing her approval of a dish which had both a lovely spicy sauce and a surprisingly wide selection of vegetables. The portion was also deceptively filling.

My main course was a Moghlai biryani (£6.95) which contained prawns, chicken and beef and was served with an omelette on top of the rice and a separate dish of vegetable sauce.

I must confess it is the first time I have actually had an omelette as part of a dish but it proved to be a nice accompaniment.

The meat and the prawns were tender and cooked to perfection while the sauce, which was served separately, was just right, not too fiery or too dominant, so that the flavours of the meat and the prawns could be appreciated.

The naan, which we shared, enabled us to mop up the sauce and leave two empty plates although we both admitted afterwards that we were hard pushed to finish our meals as they were extremely filling.

For £18.80 we enjoyed a very good meal and we will certainly be joining the band of friends of Sammy's.

Alan Birkinshaw

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.