I ALWAYS judge a restaurant by how busy it is on a weekday evening.

So the fact that Masala Bay was pretty packed on a Thursday night was a good sign.

The stylish Indian restaurant has been open for about a year so, as Christchurch residents, we felt it was more than time we gave it a try.

And we certainly weren’t disappointed. Although the dishes are ever so slightly more expensive than your traditional Indian, the food was excellent and the modern, minimalist decor made you feel as though you were enjoying some very posh nosh.

Our meat samosas and mixed kebab starters were quick to arrive and, although I actually received a vegetable samosa, the error was very quickly rectified.

Piping hot and packed with minced lamb, the samosas were delicious. The mixed kebab, consisting of a sheesh kebab, lamb tikka and onion bhaji was tasty and succulent.

Our main courses, a chicken tikka Pasanda and chicken Ceylon were equally pleasing. Plenty of tender, chunky chicken and an abundance of creamy sauce – just how we like it.

My accompanying Bombay potatoes were fluffy and soft, with just the right amount of heat and my husband’s keema rice was nice and light while the cheese naan we ordered had a strong, tangy flavour.

I was just disappointed I couldn’t finish my meal, and had no room for dessert.

For those looking for something slightly different, there is a seafood selection on the menu, as well as a good range of vegetarian dishes and specials.

Excellent food, great, friendly service and a lively, yet relaxed contemporary atmosphere – what more could you ask for in a restaurant?

This is an independent review by a reporter without the cooperation of the establishment.