Temporary jobs don't always make for fleeting friendships.

When a summer job - which turned into more than six months with the Crown Prosecution Service - was surpassed by the offer of a permanent position I kept in touch with Marina.

In fact, we're better friends now than when we spent eight hours a day together. Catching up is always a time for recollection and humour.

So it was with a smile on my face that we met up in Centenary Square and entered Fusia Noodle Bar, part of the Chino Thai enterprise.

When explaining to work colleagues where I was going, I described it as 'out the back'; well, it is, sort of - positioned between Lloyds bar and the main entrance of Chino Thai, it is quite easily overlooked.

Fusia offers a help yourself unlimited buffet menu described as 'an Oriental cuisine experience for those with time restraints'.

Personally I would call it a comfortably casual Chinese cantina. Cantina in the true definition of the Spanish word - a place where you go with your friends for communal refreshments - which sums it up to a tee.

The cream leather bench seating and posh formica tables make it a great place to make new friends and is far less intrusive for the lone diner.

There are a select number of tables for two, which on this visit were already occupied.

The waiting staff were attentive but not intrusive, showing us to a shared table and swiftly producing a drinks menus.

The restaurant was close to full with a buzzing vibe. At busy periods a time restriction of an hour-and-ahalf can be applied. With no wait for food and a smart drinks service this didn't seem an issue, but, as Marina pointed out, the height of the tables meant you couldn't cross your legs - so out-staying your welcome was highly unlikely.

The kitchen is completely on show, which always adds to peace of mind - and the speedy delivery of all the 31 starter and main dishes.

The variety is vast, so whatever your taste there will be something to satisfy. From starters such as spare ribs, won tons, onion rings and spring rolls, at least half were vegetarian.

With such a wide choice, I gave the chicken and sweetcorn and hot and sour soup a miss. The won tons were delicious and the vegetable spring rolls weren't bad, either.

Marina tucked in with a helping of stir-fried chicken and vegetables accompanied by egg-fried rice and a slice or two of prawn toast.

The dishes didn't only cover mainland China, with additions like samosas and Thai curry.

I filled my plate with various dishes that took my fancy.

The friendly atmosphere led to no embarrassment over multiple visits and the small plates were quickly replaced by clean ones.

Marina soon felt full but I was eager to try the dessert table - having a sweeter-than-average tooth.

The array of confectionery and fruit could have only been surpassed by a children's birthday party.

Trays of chocolate and plain biscuits including chocolate teddies and jammie dodgers, marshmallow wafers, sliced oranges, pineapple chunks and an iced fruit salad couldn't be ignored, even by the strictest of dieters.

If this wasn't enough temptation, the self-service fresh ice-cream machine was teamed up with bottles of toffee, strawberry and chocolate sauce, and the icing on the cake - or ice cream, as was the case - was a container of sugar strands.

All the buffet was hot and of a high standard and we ate as much we liked for £5.95 on a Friday lunchtime, which is a pound more than other days. Marina and I agreed the food was good value for money, however the price on an evening rises to between £9.95 and £12.95, which, if the food was the same, we felt would be a little over-priced.

But for a healthy lunchtime feast, Fusia is definitely one of the best.

FUSIA NOODLE BAR Centenary Square, Bradford. Tel 01274 723388

  • Our writers comment on what they find during a single visit. They accept standards vary from day to day. In the interest of fairness, they do not reveal their identities, and they pay for their meals in full. Each venue is judged against other restaurants of a similar type.