Salaam Namaste in Bloomsbury is a relative newcomer on the block, being a mere four years of age, but it is one that is following the current surge in style and performance by Indian restaurants in general, who collectively seem to have taken on board the message that they cannot go on offering the same old formula for ever, however appealing it may be.

Visitors to Salaam Namaste speak with affection of the starter of kathi kabab, a chapatti with spiced lamb, chilli and homemade chutney, and a tandoori-baked whole pomfret, not to mention the peshwari naan which receives high praise. Seafood dishes are popular well beyond the call of duty, with no hint of skimping on quality or quantity.

The final piece of good news is that all this excellence does not cost an arm and a leg, as one might begin to suspect, and an intelligent and diligent staff take a genuine interest in your needs, as well as beaming broadly over the praise that is heaped upon them.

Choosing the mains might be a bit time consuming for the simple reason that you are tempted to try everything! However, for your first foray there, you could opt for the murgh ki shagorana, whole breast of grilled chicken filled with mince lamb and spinach, cooked with mildly spiced fresh cream and an exotic sauce, served with mushroom pulao. The seafood dishes are singularly appealing, and, to confirm that, you might like to indulge in the Bangladeshi macchhi fry, chunks of sweet fresh water fish rolled in spices, fried golden, and served with potatoes, aubergine, tomatoes, fried onion, fresh coriander, lemon wedge and aromatic rice.

While the novelty of the dishes is what seems to pull in the crowd, those who prefer the tried and tested curries that evoke nostalgia will not be disappointed either. Timeless classics such as chicken tikka masala, murgh makhani or as the irreverent choose to call it, butter chicken, are all present on the menu and are definite crowd pleasers.

For dessert, there is the quintessential gulab jamun, smooth rounds of cottage cheese and flour, deep fried and dunked in hot syrup, which meet on your tongue and just melt. Or go for the kulfi, which is traditional Indian ice cream, redolent with crushed cardamom, fragrant saffron and chopped pistachios. Finish with a masala chai, tea infused with spices that linger in your taste buds and bring the meal to a lovely conclusion.

The sensibly priced wine list offers numerous choices from across the world, with some available by the glass too, complementing the dishes superbly.

Named after the Hindi movie, Salaam Namaste, where the iconic protagonist plays a chef, this small restaurant, with its signature dishes, refreshing flavours and reasonably priced menu, could well linger in your memory as one of the best Indian restaurants you have visited, perhaps a visit to their Website will convince you.