FOR a real taste of India, visit the Indira Tandoori Restaurant for authentic ethnic food at its very best.

Set in Market Street, Hoylake, conveniently close to the railway station, this fine restaurant has dishes and specialities to suit everyone's taste, from mild and creamy Korma to the very hot and spicy Vindaloo.

Open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday lunch time 12pm-2pm, Monday to Thursday evenings 5.30pm-midnight, Friday and Saturday 5.30pm-1am, and Sunday 1pm-midnight. There is an excellent takeaway service with 20 per cent discount.

As an added bonus, the Indira is open all over Christmas, including Christmas Day evening. There is a 10 per cent discount for eight or more persons, including two bottles of house wine, but booking is essential. Although the Indira is licensed, you are welcome to take your own drinks, but why not try the legendary Kingfisher Indian lager on draft?

Tradition is valued in the Indira as you dine in the recently refurbished surroundings. Relax in the comforts of the lounge with a Kingfisher while you study the menu before you are escorted to your table.

Food is presented beautifully with friendly and efficient service. A superb value-for-money meal is the teatime special, available Monday to Thursday between 5.30pm and 8.30pm, and Sunday between 1pm and 8.30pm, at a bargain £6.95. You have a choice for starters, Onion Bhaji, Chicken Tikka, Meat Samosa, Sheek Kebab and Mulligatawny soup. Main course features Chicken Tikka Masalla, Lamb Passanda, Prawn Vegetable Curry, Chicken Korma, or Meat Dupiaze, served with vegetable Pilau Rice or Pilau Rice, followed by sweet of the day and coffee.

How about the special discount meals for two, which have been reduced from £23.95 to £16.95? You are presented with two poppadums with Mango Chutney, Onion Bhaji and Meat Samosa, followed by Chicken Tikka Masalla, Lamb Rogan Josh, served with Pilau Rice and Cheese Nan, with ice-cream and coffee to finish. Now that's what I call a bargain!

Now to sample the Indira's finest and there is a great selection. There is a vast choice of 18 starters, and for main courses choose from the popular Northern Indian sensation Balti Special Dishes, Chef's Specialities or Oriental Special Biryanis.

Your Dining Outers were running particularly late on the evening we chose to dine, after another busy day in the fast lane, so as you can imagine our stomachs were rumbling. I don't usually dine past 10pm in the evening - not because it's past my bedtime, you understand, because it's so difficult to burn off those calories. But when you are presented with a meal at the Indira, it is just too good to turn down!

Our photographer and I both stumped for the Mixed Specialities Thalikhana Mixed at £9.95. A meal and a half, this comprised the delicious Chicken Tikka Masalla, full of spice and flavour. My snap-happy co-diner prefers the really hot spicy dishes and enjoyed Lamb Madras, full of flavour and a tongue-searing treat. It was accompanied by Mushroom Bhaji, Kebab and the taste treat Bindi Bhaji which is full of flavour. Delicious! Served with plain Nan and Pilau Rice, it was a truly scrumptious meal.

We finished with a pint of Kingfisher, the all-time favourite Mini Vienetta and Torroncino, Zabaglione ice-cream with chocolate, almond and nougat.

The Indira is right among the front runners for one of the finest Indian Restaurants around, and for the quality of the food alone it cannot be faulted! Phone 632-3978 for bookings.

S.D.H.

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