Spice 1 is an Indian restaurant situated in South Shields and has been established since late 2003. It attracts customers from all over the North East, they boast that their list of patrons even includes Rt Hon David Miliband MP - not sure that I would be quite so proud of that!

The décor is luxuriously warm with its vibrant colours and evokes Indian culture with decorated pieces and ornamental items including a painting, which adorns the back wall, surrounded by a fountain and high arched frame.

The main restaurant floor is very spacious and looks even more so with its high arched ceiling complemented by a gold plated chandelier. As soon as you enter the restaurant you are welcomed into a chic, modern and yet contemporary bar area, which contrasts with the rest of the restaurant décor.

The menu offers all the classical dishes you would find throughout India and these are served alongside more contemporary creations; the selection is huge with each dish explained clearly.

It is one of the biggest Indian restaurants in the North East and on the main floor it covers eighty seats and boasts a private function room, which can seat around twenty seven people.

A praiseworthy point - the place is also easily accessed by people with disabilities, with a ramp to enter the building, widely spaced tables and disabled toilets.