India Gate, Chichester 

Will writes:

Took my little Mum (shoe size 4!) out to lunch at India Gate while on a shopping trip. Pride in paying for meal (I had an expensive childhood and owe Ma and Pa a penny or two) tempered by realization that I am unemployed - would I be able to afford this?

Yes I could.  OK, Mum doesn't eat much but still PRICES are reasonable  (average starters 3- 4, mains £6 - £10, vegetables & sundries £3 - £4).  Wine typically modest.

The PLACE has been open 2 years and is in St Pancras - an arcane old lane (now an inner city bypass) at the end of East Street.

It is run by a team of enthusiastic young guys who on the day in question were providing 20 primary school kids with their first curry experience (the future clientelle, said the manager).

Modern upholstery inside and, thanks to a glass roof, light and airy too.

The SERVICE was efficient if a little gruff (only one of the three waiters who served us though).

The FOOD

Starters: Mum had Onion Bhajis.  These were good and came with a fresh juicy looking salad as did my Malibar Crab Cakes, predictable flavaour (cynical Mum reckoned they were ready made but whoa! they' re not hard to make,  you know).

Mains: Mum had a chapati and plonked her Veg Dhansak on top: fresh, of a delicously thick and velvety consistency.  I had Chicken Jalfrezi: tender tikka, sweet onions peppers and fiery green chillies, accompanied by Niramish (a dry mixed veg side overpowered by coriander) and pilau rice.

Our plates were a riot of colour, always a sign of decent ingredients if the flavours occasionally overbalanced.

SUMMARY:

I would return.  Cooking again very neat, nothing sloppy or sorry looking.

Portions were large.  Crockery new from Habitat (plates could fit it all on in one!!).  Menu is concise rarely straying from standard restaurant fare.

Address:  14 St Pancras, Chichester PO19 7SJ

Phone:  01243 787748 or 01243 839524