IT’S Friday night and after a long week at work you don’t feel like cooking.

The Indian Brasserie, in Upton, offers the perfect solution.

Relaxed and affordable, yet offering delicious food and attentive service, it creates an ideal environment to unwind before the weekend.

With the rain coming down as we approached the restaurant, we were extremely grateful for the parking right outside, something nearby city centre establishments don’t have.

We arrived shortly after 8pm and ordered drinks with poppadoms and a selection of chutneys. They were served promptly and provided the perfect appetiser while we perused the extensive menu.

I opted for vegetable samosas to start, not very adventurous but an old favourite. My companion ordered prawn chat puree, layers of prawn and thin, wafer-like bread.

We both thoroughly enjoyed our starters, although the salad they were served with could have been a little fresher.

The only other fault I found with the restaurant was those dressed for a night out could be a little cold because of the proximity of the front door to the tables.

After we finished our starters we enjoyed a chat and soaked up the atmosphere – which I think I can best describe as cheerful thanks to the smiling waiters – before our mains arrived.

It was nice to have some time between courses; often when I eat out I find no sooner has your starter plate been cleared than your main is served, so keen are the staff to herd you out and get another sitting in.

For my main course I had shatkora ghosht, a delicious medium spiced lamb dish with citrus fruits. I shared a peshwari naan and boiled rice with my companion who had lamb rezala, a dish served with mint, coriander and peppers.

We both agreed The Indian Brasserie far surpassed our usual destination for Indian dishes and shall definitely be making a return trip in the not-to-distant future.