Maharanis

There are two Maharanis restaurants - one in Deeping St James and one in Hampton Hargate - and both are as excellent as each other. I visited the Deeping St James restaurant, which was packed with customers. It is easy to see why it is so popular - after all, I had travelled over 30 miles on account of its reputation, and it didn't disappoint. Muhammad was there at the front door to greet us, along with his very amiable and efficient team. The first thing you notice is how immaculate the restaurant looks - it positively gleams, with linen tablecloths, freshly cut flowers and lots of very happy customers.

When looking through the menu I noticed several unusual Indian dishes. I had the mach bora - small potatoes cooked with herbs and spices and served with deep-fried cod cake starter - and, to follow, the chicken Sri Lanka main, which saw boneless pieces of chicken cooked in a hot coconut sauce with a touch of vinegar. My companion had the excellent chat masala, which was barbecued in the tandoor before being cooked in a medium blend of garam spices. Don't worry if you're looking for more well-known Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala - they all feature on the menu too. Diners looked pleased as punch with their meals, and this was reflected in the jovial atmosphere.

There is also a takeaway service, so you can take the fantastic Maharanis cuisine home with you; if you are lucky enough to live within the delivery area you can even have it brought to your door. The restaurants themselves offer the perfect combination of first-rate Indian cuisine, great service and a buzzing atmosphere - a recipe for a great evening.