Malabar

The sleek & minimal interiors at this modern Indian take second place to the aromas, a heady scent of spice hitting you as you walk through Malabar’s front door. As well as offering the vegetable samosas, tandoori chicken wings & lamb biryanis you’d hope for from a local Indian, Malabar wins a wider trade with keenly spiced dishes such as charcoal-grilled chicken livers marinated in yoghurt, mustard oil & paprika, followed by a monkfish curry in which the well-balanced ingredients include green beans, garlic & fresh curry leaves. Vegetable dishes, such as a starter of sweet corn kernels mixed with fresh green chillis & green pepper, or a side order of banana cooked with ginger, mango powder & black salt, are particularly notable. To drink, there’s a short wine list & beers including organic Freedom lager. A Sunday buffet lunch for £9.90, when kids eat free, is worth noting.