GOING for an Indian often conjures up images of dodgy decor and tacky trimmings. Think flock wallpaper and that about sums it up.

But all of these well-known (and much-loved) conventions have been thrown out the window at the Kairali restaurant in Bassett, Southampton.

Walking through the doors you are immediately struck by how simple and fresh your surroundings are.

The staff are friendly and attentive but never in your face or trying to rush you to make up your mind so that they can get you in and out as fast as possible.

The restaurant specialises in south Indian cuisine. I'm no connoisseur but I have been led to believe that this is not all that common.

Kairali is another word for Kerala - a green and lush tropical Indian state which is situated on the western coast in the far south of India. It is said to offer complete diversity to the north.

This is reflected in Kairali's menu and some of the dishes are unusual which makes a change from the standard Indian menu, which many can recite without even picking it up.

Despite this, I had to bear in mind that as a hard-up journalist I should pick the most expensive dish on the menu, so I plumped for the tandoori prawn masala.

Priced at a very reasonable £7.95 I wasn't disappointed when it arrived complete with the coconut rice I had chosen to go with it.

As a lover of all things seafood I was chuffed to be presented with some of the biggest prawns I had ever seen.

The mild curry went perfectly with the sweet-tasting rice and the generous portions left me wondering if I would ever be able to eat again.

My companion for the evening chose the Kairali meen curry which is a king fish curry with coconut milk, green mango, tamarind and spices.

He chose it on the recommendation of someone who had visited the restaurant before and it wasn't hard to see why the succulent fish was such a winner.

He also had the coconut rice and, being particularly greedy, also picked the urula kizhangu curry.

This is a slightly spicy and creamy potato-based curry mixed with cashew nuts, tomato and onion.

The dish was well presented but compared to the other two curries he thought it was a bit bland.

After washing down our food with an obligatory bottle of Cobra beer each, the bill came to just under £30.

Kairali is at 180a Burgess Road, Southampton. Tel: 023 8067 8067.