Looking for something completely original and undeniably luxurious? Then you must visit Maiyango. With its 14-bedroom, four-star hotel, exclusive terraced Glass Bar and gorgeous Moroccan-inspired restaurant, it is making quite an impact on Leicester’s city centre. Thanks to its outstanding service and inventive ‘contemporary fusion’ cuisine, Maiyango has gained a deservedly excellent reputation, and simply has to be experienced.

In the restaurant, the service is unhurried, professional and attentive. Colourful silks adorn the ceiling and walls, creating a sense of romance and warmth, and live jazz music creates an exclusive and arty atmosphere. Head chef Phillip Sharpe (chef profile page 33) provides a delightfully unusual ŕ la carte menu, which offers a range of excellent dishes including a very popular corn-fed chicken breast with crab and mango, top-quality chargrilled fillet of shire beef with tempura king prawn and, just one of the delicious vegetarian options, cherry tomato, shallot and halloumi tarte tatin with red onion mash and white bean and herb sauce.

Restaurant manager Joe recommended the five-course ‘taster menu’ – a little bit of everything for those who can’t make up their minds – so we followed his advice and embarked on an exciting adventure into the unknown. First to arrive was complimentary rustic bread and olive oil, followed by a creamy, colourful cup of spicy carrot soup. A beautifully presented selection of seafood and fish followed, including a tender, perfectly cooked seared king scallop and a gorgeously flaky paupiette of lemon sole. This menu is perfect for those who like to savour their food and indulge in different flavours and textures – but pace yourself, because the five courses provide quantity as well as quality. We cleansed our palates with raspberry, grape and lemon sorbet served in a frosted martini glass and adorned with local raspberries, before being presented with a fabulous array of tasters to please any meat lover – be sure to let your waiter know how you’d like it cooked. Ours was perfectly pink and didn’t stay on the plate for long. To complete our fantastic meal, we were presented with a delicious dark chocolate fondant with a warm, gooey middle and raspberry coulis drizzled over the plate. If, like me, you enjoy a naughty dessert, you’ll adore the medley of sweets at Maiyango.

This restaurant is perfect for groups of friends and family, work parties and romantic couples alike. Open all day for drinks, with a DJ providing the entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings, this is the ideal place to celebrate or enjoy a leisurely cocktail with a friend. When you visit, be sure to call in advance and reserve one of the snug, private wooden booths – they are often booked up weeks in advance thanks to the wonderful exclusivity they provide. You will absolutely love Maiyango, but be warned – once you eat here, you will be hooked.