The Char Mausum

For five years the award-winning Char Mausum has been wowing patrons with outstanding Asian cooking with a surprising Northumbrian twist. Here you will find venison or rabbit tikka, pheasant tandoori and Rajasthani game curry, as well as marvellous mussels, crab and cod creations.

Restaurateur Mohammed Iqbal is a knowledgeable and charming host, who is on first-name terms with many of his customers. Although this was our first visit, we too were immediately made to feel like one of his regulars. Friendly staff wait to greet you and the warm, cream-toned decor is unfussy and tastefully modern. But it's the food that's the real triumph.

Game dishes are hugely popular here; however, both my companion and I were seduced by the enticing fish courses. My starter of delicately spiced chickpeas with cashews on a dainty puri, followed by monkfish tikka, was a symphony of fragrant, fresh flavours and subtle spiciness. The fish was cooked to perfection and arrived with elegantly arranged salad and an aromatic yoghurt sauce. A vegetable pakora - smooth, classy and beautifully presented - was another winning starter and my companion raved about his Goan fish curry. With every table taken almost every night, all we can say is be sure to book and don't miss out.