Mansah

Comfortably holding 650 people, Mansah lays prestigious claim to being the biggest restaurant in Leicester. Housed in an old Comet building, this unexpected gem is perfect for a celebratory evening, with birthdays, anniversaries and weddings all catered for in style. The large downstairs area can be hired out privately during the week, while the weekends are saved for the loyal clientele. Regulars are rewarded with a daily changing menu and, after 9.30pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, there is a DJ and large dance floor to keep all you disco divas satisfied.

Where to begin' Well, the food is simply fantastic; an all-you-can-eat buffet laid out with starters, accompaniments, main courses and desserts. The open kitchen area means you can see the chefs preparing the flavoursome dishes - enough to get your tastebuds tingling. To kick things off, we enjoyed chilli fish, vegetable samosas, aubergine stir fry, sheek kebabs, chicken wings, stir-fried noodles and 'dahi wada' (lentils in yoghurt), all of which were absolutely fabulous. Our appetite was most definitely whetted by the time we moved on to the mains, when we sampled Kashmiri chicken, chickpea curry and Goan prawn bhuna. Each dish was cooked to perfection by the highly skilled chefs, which meant they weRenét at all overbearing and the fresh flavours were allowed to shine through. To accompany this, we had naan breads and sweetcorn rice - which I have never seen on a menu before, but was a delicious surprise. Unfortunately we left no room for pudding, but the chocolate cake and ice cream was very close to tempting us.

I've always been of the opinion that, after a hearty meal, one needs time to sit down and relax; at a restaurant of this size and magnitude, I didn't think this was possible but I was proven wrong. A staircase leading up to a split level mezzanine floor revealed a bar area with pool table, television and comfy sofas as well as the longest bar I have ever seen, stocked with a great selection of drinks. This makes for a perfect lounge bar and the owners are now looking at adding a buffet area, creating a separate space available for hire.

The real jewel in Mansah's crown is the fact they've just been granted a civil licence for wedding ceremonies, meaning they're able to cater for your entire day, from ceremony and reception meal to unforgettable evening entertainment. They also treat those celebrating their birthday to an extra-special experience, including a gorgeous-looking cake and a rendition of Happy Birthday. I'll certainly be returning to celebrate my own special day.

The atmosphere at Mansah is simply electric; the background music is lively without being intrusive and artwork on the walls entertains the eye as you eat. The waiting staff are attentive and friendly, and a warm welcome is given to all guests. For large family groups or loved-up couples enjoying a lively night out, Mansah ticks every box.