Madhus

Madhu’s has been operating since 1980, serving Punjabi food to a mostly Asian clientele. These days the dining room is spread over two floors, with a private room available for up to 35 guests upstairs. The décor is modern and smart, distinctly up-market for Southall.

Achari prawns were tender and had a pleasing hint of spice (14/20). Little hollow dosas were good, crisp and with a spiced liquid centre, albeit nothing like the wonderful version of this dish at the late lamented Sabras (13/20).

Prawn biryani had carefully cooked prawns and well-flavoured rice with excellent texture (14/20). Malai chicken tikka was nicely spiced and had tender meat (14/20). Aloo gobi had potatoes and cauliflower that still had some bite (13/20) and plain naan bread was fine (12/20). Both halwa and kulfi were very good, the halwa having enough carrot flavour and not being over sweet (13/20).

The service was very capable, the maanger Ajay genuinely top notch. The bill came to £31 a head including drinks and service, which is almost absurdly cheap. Portions are family sized and they will pack up anything that you don’t finish.