Shireen's, Aldridge

Shireen's in Aldridge has a very personal and cosy feel, like walking into someone's lounge rather than a restaurant,

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This may be because of its small size, chatty waiters - or even the fact that the owner chose to name it after his own daughter.

Having opened only a few weeks ago on Aldridge High Street in Walsall, it was clear business was already booming for the restaurant when we arrived on Saturday evening.

Hungry diners filled most of the tables, happily chatting away over low background music.

Having not booked, we only managed to bag a table as a couple were leaving.

The restaurant has a black and red colour scheme, from the chairs and wallpaper to the simple vases of flowers decorating each table.

If you're craving a curry and dining on a budget, not only is the food reasonably priced, but there are special offers throughout the week.

Poppadoms, relishes, any starter, main dish, rice or naan, tea, coffee or dessert, will set you back £8.95 per person from Monday-Thursday or £10.95 on Fridays and Saturdays, although the offer excludes signature, king prawn and fish dishes.

The menu offers the traditional favourites as well as vegetarian options, healthy eating and European dishes. For people who want to try more than one type of curry, they can opt for a combination dish.

There is a small corner bar but the restaurant is unlicensed and only serves soft drinks with an option to bring your own alcohol.

A chutney tray, consisting of mint sauce, onion salad and mango chutney, was the first food to be brought out to our table, accompanied by poppadoms.

The mango chutney was especially tasty, a little spicier than usual.

As a starter, I opted for a mix of chicken and lamb tikka, stir fried with onions, green peppers and garlic in a sauce which was full of flavour.

My dining partner equally enjoyed his grilled Indian cheese, marinated in spices.

The chicken tikka madras I ordered for the main course certainly came with a kick, but there were no complaints from me as I like my curries hot.

However, there was a need for the creamy mango flavoured ice-cream that followed.

The chicken tikka pasanda was picked from the menu by my accomplice, who said it was very rich and creamy with subtle flavours.

The curries were also decorated with a tomato sculpted in the shape of a flower - a nice touch.

Although the restaurant had not been in business long, staff seemed to be organised and attentive to customers.

The only things not ready were the dessert menus, but the waiters obliged in reeling off the choices available.

Taking advantage of the weekend special deal, our bill came to a bargain price of £22.40 - a little more than the price of a takeaway.

It's worth checking this place out for yourselves, but just remember to book first.

The recession may have hit some restaurants and pubs hard, forcing them to close, but it's good to see new businesses opening up and fighting the trend.

With almost 80 shops and businesses empty in Walsall alone, this restaurant boasts that it has brought a vacant premises back to life.

And it has already shown support for the community, donating £300 from its launch night to local charity Rosie's Helping Hands, set up in memory of Walsall schoolgirl Rosie Ross who was stabbed as she sunbathed in Birmingham city centre in 2001.

ADDRESS

Shireen's: 41 High Street, Aldridge, Walsall WS9 8NL

Telephone: 01922 279330