The Maharaja, Madeley

is treated like a Maharanee on a Saturday night's curry outing with the family.

My idea of the perfect Saturday night meal is a good tasty Indian - be it a take-out/homemade in front of the TV, or a relaxed visit to a restaurant, accompanied with one or two refreshing lagers.

It was my first visit to the Maharaja in Madeley, situated at the bottom of the High Street - I've lost count of how many times I've driven past saying "I must pop in some time", so I finally decided to pay a visit and booked a table for a Saturday night treat!

Accompanied by my boyfriend Stuart, and my parents, we arrived at the restaurant tummies rumbling just before 7pm.

It's quite easy to miss the restaurant, the building itself is decorated in a cream and black colour scheme - I thought maybe a window box or two of colour would set the exterior off nicely, however, it was neutral and clean and certainly far from garish like some Indian restaurants can be.

We stepped through the front door and were immediately greeted by a friendly waiter, who stopped setting his table to show us to a to a seating area whilst he checked our booking. We were soon shown to our table for the evening and sat down with a menu, ordering pints of Cobra beer all round - the perfect companion with Indian cuisine.

Can I just take this opportunity to say to my Dad, that it is perfectly acceptable for 'ladies' to order a pint 'these days' - yes, even Mum, so less frowning please!

Anyway, back to the menu - so much choice! I'll have to admit that Stu for one was a little lost as he's far more used to his steak and chips - which although an option, he was keen to try something new, and he'd have never lived it down if he'd have played it safe.

Meanwhile, I got a little distracted from choosing a meal by the little facts they had by the different styles of dishes - some of which I found quite interesting, for instance where the dish originated from etc. So we kindly asked our waiter for a little more time to decide.

For an appetiser we chose Papadoms which were accompanied by the usual sweet chutney, raita dip - yoghurt cucumber and mint, and mixed onion, followed by starters of Onion Bhajis, Vegetable Samosas and Palak Panir - an Indian cheese and spinach dish.

Our starters arrived garnished with a small salad and we all tucked in, the bhajis and samosas went down a treat - crisp not greasy, and the it was the first time I'd tried 'Palak Panir', and I thoroughly recommend it to any cheese lover like myself.

We had a comfortable interlude before our main dishes were served so we were able to have a nice catch up, while our taste buds were teased by the various aromas of the sizzling dishes being served to other diners.

By now it was fairly busy with most tables full, and it was also starting to get quite warm "hmmmmm" went the air-con as it kicked in, which just so happened to be in on the wall above our table - sounding like a hairdryer, oddly we got used to it and it and decided that it didn't really bother us.

The restaurant interior is of traditional decor for this style of dining, warm colours, soft lighting, tranquil fish tanks, I found some of the seating quite compact and I did feel quite close to the gentleman on the next table, who I got the impression was trying to enjoy a romantic meal with his lady friend until the four of us came along!

Out came the trolley with our main dishes; Lamb Biryani served with a mixed vegetable bhuna for Mum, a Duck Jalfrezi for Dad, Stu had one of the Maharaja's Signature Dishes, the Garlic Duck, and I had the Lamb Tikka Jalfrezi.

To accompany our meals we had Pillau Rice, Garlic Nan, Sag Aloo (spicy potato and spinach) and a Paratha (an Indian flat bread).

The dishes were all part-served and the remainders placed on hot plates in front of us to keep warm - this is one of the great things I love about Indian food, it's so easy to share, you can all choose your favourite dish and sample each other's - even fingers are excused as I tore a chunk from Dad's Paratha when I thought he wasn't looking!

The taste and quality of the food was mouth watering - so many different flavours, all complimenting each other as we mixed our dishes. The lamb in my Jalfrezi was tender, the sauce full of sweet chunky peppers which complimented the warm crisp green chillies - not too hot, or maybe it was the Cobra helping to ease the warmth?!

Dad particularly commented that the Paratha was good. Having spent time abroad he is used to foreign cuisine and is very familiar with Indian foods, their flavours and how they're traditionally cooked.

Mum was very happy with her Biryani, as she's not keen on too spicy foods this dish suited her perfectly, and Stu's Garlic Duck was polished off easily without complaint.

I think that it's one of the first times that every bowl and plate has been completely cleared when we've all dined out together, sauces were wiped away with the breads, and I'd go as far as to say that I didn't even see a grain of rice left on anyone's plate.

Dishes were cleared and deserts offered - though we all declined as we were all comfortably satisfied, so we were presented with the 'essential' hot towel to freshen up and a little chocolate while we waited to settle our bill before heading home for a nightcap.

Overall we enjoyed an excellent meal and had a very pleasant evening, we definitely agreed that we'd make a return visit in the near future and thoroughly recommend the Maharaja to those who enjoy quality Indian food in a relaxed and warm environment.

The staff are extremely welcoming and nothing is too much trouble - should you desire a dish that is not on the current menu, then you only have to ask and they'll do their best to prepare it for you.

They'll even show you how to fold a 'fancy napkin', which Mum soon picked up, so I expect to see them decorating the Christmas Day table at home. Had I mentioned that I'll be back for Christmas Mum and Dad...? Yes AGAIN!

ADDRESS

Maharaja Indian Restaurant, 33 High Street, Madeley, Telford TF7 5AR

Tel: 01952 580847/587993

MENU SAMPLE

STARTERS

Vegetable Samosas (with salad garnish, £2.75); Onion Bhajis (served with a salad garnish, £2.60); Papadoms (£0.90)

MAIN COURSES

Lamb Biryani (served with a mixed vegetable bhuna, £6.95); Duck Jalfrezi (£9.25); Lamb Tikka Jalfrezi (£7.75)

SIDE DISHES

Sag Aloo (spicy potato and spinach, £2.40); Pillau Rice (£2.15); Garlic Nan (£2.20)

ATMOSPHERE

Warm, relaxed and comfortable with clean facilities

SERVICE

Very welcoming and friendly

DISABLED FACILITIES

A little tight in places - be best to phone ahead and seek advice