Nestled within sniffing distance of a host of busy bars and a Tube station, this will be a perfect position to ensnare passing curry lovers with its irresistible mix of spicy aromas and welcoming staff.

It is, however, more than simple positioning that has enabled this relatively small restaurant, wed-ged into a corner between an estate agents and a snooker hall, to become such a favourite amongst the area's curry lovers.

The key reason for the Purbani's enduring success as a staple of Wanstead's culinary life for nearly thirty years, is down to the excellence of its menu and the quality of its service.

Head chef Ali Jobid, has developed a finely balanced menu to suit all tastes, from classic Anglo-Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala and lamb rogan gosh, to more contemporary creations such as prawn bhuna with aubergine and ginger and red chilli keema korai.

The menu offers a decent selection of starters at acceptable prices, ranging from £2.25 for a plate of onion bhajis to £4.95 for butterfly king prawns.

Main courses include a reasonably priced selection of murgh chicken dishes from £6.25, to more pricy seafood offerings, such as tandoori fish shaslick for £10.95 and balti king prawn massala for £13.95.

A number of thalis were on offer for those who like variety, ranging in price from £11.95 for the vegetarian option to £13.45 for the Balti mix.

Each thali offered an impressive selection of small dishes with a portion of rice and a naan included in the price.

The Purbani sets itself apart from many of its competitors by offering a comprehensive selection of tempting, and relatively cheap vegetarian dishes, including aloo dopiaza for £3.25 and sag paneer for £3.25.

The restaurant also has a good selection of rice and breads, starting at £1.95 for a plain naan and £2.10 for plain rice. For a curry house, the Purbani boasts an impressive drinks menu, including a decent range of beers, such as Cobra, Kingfisher and Budweiser all for £2.50 a bottle and a fine selection of wine ranging in price from a bottle of Pinot Grigio for £13.95 to a Chateauneuf du Pape for £21.95.

A comprehensive range of spirits are also available, featuring a selection of whiskeys, gin and vodka, from £2.50 a measure.

Freshly cooked poppadoms with a good selection of sweet and sour chutneys form the foundation of any decent South Asian eating experience, and the Purbani didn't disappoint in this department.

For starters, I ordered a dish of samosas for £2.50 and a portion of sheek kebabs costing £3.50, which were disappointingly bland and overly greasy, with a texture suggesting they had been cooked straight from frozen.

This was a surprise, given the excellence of the main course, which consisted of a delicious and well presented meat thali, a tasty, though slightly overpriced chicken Ceylon for £6.25, two Peshwari naan, and an unusually good Bombay potato dish for £3.25.

With drinks the meal came to £48.40 which felt a little expensive even though the food was generally excellent. Undoubtedly pricey compared to some of its competitors, the Purbani makes up for this with the variety and standard of its food, its inviting and tasteful décor and the warmth and helpfulness of its staff. If you fancy a high quality South Asian eating experience, and don't mind spending a little extra, then the Purbani is the place for you.

Purbani Restaurant
153 High Street,
Wanstead,
E11 2RL.
TEL: 020 8989 4174