AT FIRST glance, the Asha Indian and Bangladeshi Restaurant seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary - but on closer inspection it proved to be an eatery of considerable merit.

Located on Lyndhurst Road in Ashurst, the inside is decked out with pleasant pictures of rural scenes from overseas.

Staff were very friendly and helpful and had poppadums and pickles on our table within minutes.

The menu boasted the usual dishes - Balti, Korma, Dhansak - as well as the Asha Chef's Specials.

For starters we had the ubiquitous onion bhaji and a tandoori mixed kebab.

They arrived on sizzling plates but were then transferred to our side plates, which I thought was a bright idea as it saved me having to guard my greedy hands from burning as I ate.

The bhaji was the best I had had in some time and the mixed kebab was also impressive. My eating partner tried the Tikka Rossa from the Chef's Specials for her main course and I went with the Lamb Tikka Jalfrezi - both were delicious.

Overall it was a delightful meal and the complimentary Baileys finished off the meal nicely.

The total cost of the meal was just over £40. Starters cost between £2.50 and £5. Main dishes start at about £6 and go up to £11.

Reservations: 023 8029 2885.