Kashmir Halal, 64 Cowley Rd, Oxford. Tel 01865 250165

At first glance, the Kashmir Halal is just another of Oxford's many Indian restaurants. At second glance, it is evident that this particular establishment appeals to a wide variety of regular patrons. I've been to the Kashmir a number of times, and I think that there are two different atmospheres to be found there, so I might advise that you think carefully about what sort of an evening you are aiming for before you dine. In term time, especially towards the end of the term, this restaurant is a favourite for football teams and rowers, who sit at huge long tables down the sides of this small, one-room establishment, and chant obscenities at one another as they slowly drink themselves into oblivion after another sporting event comes to a close. I must admit that I have participated in such an occasion several times, and am always amazed at the calmness with which the staff at the Kashmir Halal handle these gatherings. If you are looking for a quiet evening out, you would want to think twice before coming to this restaurant during the last few weeks of any University term. Out of term time, however, this restaurant takes on a completely different feel. There is a much more subdued atmosphere, and the evening can be very pleasant and perfectly suitable for a couple to spend their time here eating good Indian food.

Now then, onto the food itself. Having eaten at a number of Indian restaurants in Oxford, the Kashmir Halal remains one of my firm favourites, serving incredibly good food at a very reasonable price. Starters are not above £5 each, and mains are about the £4-£5 mark, with the most expensive being a very respectable price of about £8/9. Rice is appprox £2, even for the more special varieties. The menu is pretty extensive, and there is a good selection of slightly more unusual house specialities to chose from too. On my last visit, which was out of term time, and spent with my partner, we had Popadoms for a starter, and for main I chose the Chicken Marsala with Special Fried Rice, and my partner had the house special Vegetable Byriani, which was served with battered and deep fried aubergine, which was unusual, but delicious. We also had a Peshwari Naan, which was again of a very decent size, and incredibly good. Our entire bill for the both of us was only £26.

All the food was served quickly, and presented very nicely, the mains coming with a small side salad. They were cooked wonderfully; the curries were spicy to the correct degree and were neither too dry nor too runny, and unlike many Indian restaurants I have visited, were not floating with oil or some horrid fluorescent colour. The rice was neither sticky or undercooked, and the naan was delicious and perfectly big enough to share. The internal decor of the restaurant is also not as bad as some I have eaten in - the table cloths are paper, and the restaurant has a spacious feel to it despite its size. One other attraction of the place for many is its 'bring your own' policy on alcohol (and thus its popularity with student sportspeople!).

All in all, the Kashmir Halal makes for a very pleasant evening out. It may not be the right place to take a first date, but it's the place to go if you want reasonably priced, and good, Indian food, and is definitely worth trying at some point during your stay in Oxford.

Paul Hook