EVEN if you were burning (forgive the pun) for a curry, you’d be forgiven for walking straight past the Bournemouth Tandoori.

Its unobtrusive frontage does little to draw attention to itself, despite its prime location in Holdenhurst Road.

The theme continues inside, where the décor is somewhat muted and tired (though I’m told that some of the restaurant’s regulars would be up in arms if it were ever modernised).

In the end though, what you’re looking for is a fabulous curry and you can certainly be guaranteed that here, along with an extremely warm welcome from proprietor Shuab Ahmed Showkathy (known to his regulars as Ahmed) and his staff.

Ahmed has recently returned to the kitchen following the departure of his previous chef for pastures new. And he is clearly at his happiest creating his delicious dishes for customers, though he still finds time to regale them with intelligent, sometimes spiritual conversation.

The restaurant can seat 45 diners, though it rarely does. Ever philosophical, Ahmed says: “I would rather have fewer customers so that I can concentrate on giving them the best.”

The food is delicious. The menu offers the standard dishes you would expect plus some you may not have heard of. Our tandoori lamb and chicken starters were delicately spiced with a pleasing, but not overwhelming back-heat. My King Prawn Beani Bazari Salom was excellent, particularly when coupled with Ahmed’s own special Rogoni Naan bread.

After more than 20 years running his restaurant, Ahmed has learned a thing or two: “I have a regular customer base – I know what they like and I cater for them. People make me very happy and encourage me – many I would now call ‘guests’.”

Our bill came to just under £40, including drinks.