Lombok

The owners of this dependable local eatery ensure customer loyalty with a crowd-pleasing menu of south-east Asian dishes, friendly service & unchanging surroundings. Tongue-&-groove panelling lines the walls of the cosy dining room, which is dotted with intricate wooden carvings & colourful prints. Popular starters include salt & pepper squid, dry-fried to ensure maximum crispiness; Vietnamese lettuce wraps stuffed with crab & prawn; & Indonesian chicken satay. Alongside the usual main courses of Thai green curry, Singapore noodles & nasi goreng, there’s a new menu of chef’s specials such as aromatic massaman curry made with beef or chicken. The short wine list starts at £10.50 a bottle, with an Alsace Gewürtztraminer costing under £17. No wonder the place is packed out, even on a Monday night.