The Dilshad Restaurant, Clarence Place, Newport.

THE Dilshad is a comfortable and friendly restaurant with that traditional Indian feel.

Low lights, Indian music and pictures of tigers on the walls - now that's what I call an Indian.

To start I had the mixed kebab, which is a variety of cooked spiced meats. This is an ideal starter for those who are new to Balti food and can't decide what to have, as it offers a variety of tastes.

My friend had plain chicken tikka for starter, which was what I went on to have for my main course.

Chicken tikka masala may be the UK's favourite curry, but an authentic dish from the sub-continent would never come with masala sauce.

Having plain chicken tikka really allows you to get a taste for the flavouring, and it's especially nice on a bed of egg-fried rice.

My friend had the house special curry, a medium-spicy dish with large pieces of chicken, beef and succulent prawns, which he said was one of the best curries he had ever had.

High praise indeed coming from someone who eats vindaloo three times a week.

The generous portions were complemented by plenty of naan breads, and poppadoms and dips, which were all freshly cooked and delicious. The filling meals were washed down with traditional Indian Tiger lager, and rounded off nicely with kulfi ice-cream.

A meal at the Dilshad is a genuine treat - good food, traditional atmosphere and friendly staff - a great destination for a three-course meal or a post-pub curry in the centre of Newport. Darren Evans