IT’S not often I rave about a restaurant - the food critic’s job is to at least try to remain objective.

But if you love Indian food and you haven’t yet tried the Haveli Indian Restaurant at Bromham, then you need to book now.

At present, the restaurant - formerly known as The Coconut - is almost a hidden gem but that’s bound to change when word gets out.

Quite simply, the owner and head chef Ramesh Prasad is serving up some of the finest Indian cuisine you’re likely to find in this part of the world.

I ventured over to Bromham on the recommendation of a Gazette and Herald reader who said she “highly recommends it and thinks it deserves a review”. Indeed it did.

When my wife, Feona and I arrived, the restaurant was completely empty and remained so for the remainder of the evening, but once word gets out I’m sure it’ll be packed, because those who drive by are missing a real treat. It may not looking inviting from the outside but inside it really tempts the taste buds.

While we browsed the menu we started with four papadums (£2.40) and two bowls of mixed pickles (£1.20), while we ordered drinks - which resulted in two pints of draught Cobra (£9) for me, and a large bottle of sparkling water for Feona (£4.25) who doesn’t drink alcohol.

The mixed pickles comprised homemade mango chutney, a mint yoghurt and a mixed and finely chopped onion salad.

Feona ordered the Haveli Special Mixed Platter (£8.50) to start, while I selected the Seafood Mixed Platter (£7.50).

My wife’s choice included a collection of lamb chop, salmon tikka, king prawn and chicken lollipop, served with a fresh mixed salad, and their signature chutney.

Mine featured Keshi king prawn, a dill yoghurt salmon cooked in a tandoori and a freshwater crab cake, served with roast tomato and green chutney.

You have to taste the flavours to believe how simply divine they are. Ramesh Prasad worked at The Palm between Marlborough and Hungerford before opening Haveli. All I can say is their loss is our gain.

We moved on to the mains, and my wife selected the Garlic Chilli Chicken (£9.95) while I plumped for the Ceylon Fish Curry (£11.95).

Here, Feona was served chicken cooked dry, with fresh garlic, chilli, onion and pepper, served with a separate accompaniment of a spicy, tangy sauce.

Mine consisted of salmon cooked with the chef’s secret spice, with a fresh coconut spiced sauce, curry leaves, onion and tomato.

I have to say, I have never tasted a fish curry so exquisitely good, while Feona simply remarked that her meal “was absolutely to die for. It was the best chilli chicken I have ever had.”

We accompanied it with a mushroom pilau rice (£3.50) for Feona, and a lemon rice (£3.50) for me, with a keema nan (£2.95).

The mains were followed by a Pistachio and Mango ice cream sweet (£2.95), which was absolutely divine.

The decor is clean and simple but contemporary and the service nothing short of excellent.

Our total bill came to £65.15. Would I go to Haveli again, you bet! Next time, Feona and I’ll be taking some friends.

John Baker