On the outside the Shimla Spice looks more like a Pizza Hut than a poppadom parlour.

But don't let the strange modern design of the building put you off because once inside the Shimla is a tastefully-decorated and traditional restaurant. So far, so good.

The major trauma of the evening came when the waiter asked us if we would like a soft drink, and we realised the restaurant didn't have an alcohol licence.

A curry without a lager... can't be done, so I left Andy studying the ample menu while I had a quick jog across the road to the Prince Albert pub to buy four bottles of beer.

Once that crisis was over, we were able to settle down for the evening.

For starters I decided to go for the mixed kebabs while Andy plumped for a prawn paratha both at £2.50.

My kebabs were spicy and a nice taster for what was to come while Andy said that his paratha, a prawn curry wrapped in a fried chapatti, was tangy and worth a try.

For the main course I ordered a Shimla Balti Chicken Special at £5.50 while Andy tried the Shimla Spice Special, a mixed meat and prawn curry, at £5.95. We both had naan bread and shared a portion of rice.

My Chicken Balti was full of taste and came in ample proportions - good value for the price. Andy said that his dish was varied and spicy without being too hot.

The service was friendly and unhurried and the waiters dressed in matching maroon Asian outfits seemed more than happy to please.

At one point in the evening the waiter surreptitiously crept over to our table and asked if we would join in a chorus of happy birthday for Tim, who was apparently sitting at the table opposite.

The lights were dimmed and a sparkling dessert brought out as the whole restaurant burst into song - only to find Tim had gone to the toilet.

But it was a nice thought and added to the restaurant's family atmosphere.

The final bill came to £21.55 including two glasses of coke and excellent value for a filling meal.

So if you can remember to bring the booze, then Shimla Spice is definitely worth a visit.

Ian Midgley

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