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Tamil Nadu is popular for its hospitality and a deep belief that serving food to others is a service to humanity, Madras is the capital city of that state and was established in the seventeenth century by the British. Madras Currys is a recent and innovative addition to the Indian eating out scene in Reading offering guests the unusual aromas and flavours of the Tamil cuisine.

Podi uthappam - pancake topped with spicy special powder - and idiyappam, steamed rice noodles served with vegetable kurma or sambar, are a couple of interesting ideas for a different breakfast. For a lighter bite you could try masala vadai, spicy lentil patties flavoured with green chilli, curry leaves and ginger, or fresh squid deep fried with different spices. Specialities include dishes such as began bhartha - grilled aubergine made with coconut gravy - special boneless chicken in pepper sauce or fish in South Indian village style with a touch of tamarind and lemon rice.

The strategic location sets the scene for this Sardinian specialist, so it's not uncommon to see ladies unwinding over lunch after a day of retail therapy at the Broad Street shopping area, or the pre-theatre crowd descending in the evening for a quick bite before scurrying off to the Hexagon. The others could just sit back and relax in the 'ceramic floor and pink granite table' interior before tackling some Italian gastronomic delights.

Specialities like spaghetti alla bottarga, made of cured grey mullet roe, sea bass baked in a crust of salt, and the house speciality of slow roasted suckling piglet, along with Sardinian wines, offer some of the best from the island that is available. Diners who wish to have bread with their meal can order the thin and crispy pane carasatu with extra virgin olive oil and fresh rosemary.

Pepe Sale hosts regular live music evenings with the local jump, jive and swing band.

Called 'standard' for reasons which escape me, this restaurant does indeed supply a standard in Reading and if you want to eat Indian you might feel that you would prefer to bring your custom to the Nepalese Tandoori. That is not to say that it aspires to any great peaks of the culinary world but it is consistently dependable, with pleasant staff and a good atmosphere.