Lifelong friends Shueb and Chan have worked hard at making traditional Bangladeshi restaurant Tamarinds a success.

Opened in a parade of shops in the suburbs of Southampton just over a year ago, they have injected their own personal style into the small, 32-cover restaurant.

Stepping out of the cold and into Tamarinds is a nice surprise, with its warm atmosphere, scented candles and friendly greeting from the outset.

Ochre walls dotted with oil paintings of spices bring promise of the food to come and brown leather chairs and snug banquette seating create a contemporary but cosy environment.

Presentation is high – the usual silverware ditched in favour of smart white china. A tray of pickles and sauces includes a sweet and sour tamarind sauce with a kick of chilli, which makes a nice change from lime pickle. The tamarind theme continues throughout the menu featuring again on the mix special starter and also in our vegetable curry.

The menu features a good selection of all the usual Indian fare but there are also lots of other interesting specialities worth considering.

Tamarinds Mix Special starter for two is a good way to try lots of different flavours. There’s juicy butterflied prawns, a Khumbi pancake stuffed with spicy minced lamb, cuts of lamb tikka and grilled garlic chicken which pack a punch, and Aloo Chat – an irresistible potato concoction infused with earthy garam masala.

Led by the Shueb’s expert advice I was taken out of my comfort zone for our mains, trying a Murgh Achari, a hot, spicy Bangladeshi-style chicken, in a thick sauce packed with sweet peppers and sticky onions. The duck Chingri was served in a wonderfully rich, dark sauce, perfect for dipping naan bread into. The chilli naan, which was light, crispy and peppered with little bursts of heat, made the perfect accompaniment, along with a herbed special rice, although the lemon rice was a tad overzested.

For freshness and rounded flavour the king prawn jhalpiazi, made with shallots, chillis and handfuls of coriander was probably the best dish on the table.

Tamarinds is a charming find, great for families and couples, offering a warm welcome and unique flavours.

It’s open everyday except Tuesday, Sunday & Monday are excellent value with all you can eat buffet nights – £10.50 per adult £5.50 per child (under 12). Mains start at just over £6 and starters are good value for money between £2.95-£5.

Tamarinds, 38A Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton 023 8048 3800 tamarinds.org.uk