THOSE of us who enjoy trying restaurants on spec are occasionally fortunate to turn up a rare gem.

So it was last week when, after enjoying the excellent ale at Preston's Old Manor Inn, we decided to head for the obligatory curry.

Preston is particularly well served for Asian cuisine with a superb Thai restaurant/takeaway and two well established 'Indians'.

But it was to a relative newcomer that we headed.

The Himal Tandoori had been operating as a takeaway for a couple of years when the owners were persuaded by its many satisfied customers to also offer restaurant service.

So, in September it opened its doors and ever since has continued to build on an exceptionally loyal customer base.

The very first customers, Gilly and Allan, have returned almost every week ever since, missing out only when they've been away on holiday.

You can see their picture on the restaurant's excellent website, www.himaltandoori.com, and they, and other regular diners, feature in a slideshow in the restaurant itself.

When we arrived the restaurant was full and we were greeted with the dreaded: 'Have you booked?'

We hadn't, of course, but — the first plus to the Himal team here — rather than send us on our way they set up the table normally used by waiting takeaway customers.

The Himal has a two-in-one menu — Indian food and Nepalese food.

The Indian selection will be familiar to most — a wide enough selection of tandoori, biryani and balti dishes and a tempting choice of chef's specials.

But it was the Nepalese section that caught the eye, mainly because I had never sampled Nepalese food before and always like to try something different.

Starters feature some interesting dishes including steam-cooked pork dumplings, Nepalese vegetable noodle soup, marinated chicken kebabs with pineapple, green peppers, onion, tomato and courgette, and burger-shaped spiced mashed potato deep fried.

The main courses comprise a number of mouth-watering variations of chicken, lamb and prawn dishes and we chose the Himalaya garlic lamb and pokhreli chicken accompanied by Himali special fried rice.

The garlic lamb is cooked with Nepalese spices and the chicken with mustard sauce, tomato, green pepper and onion.

Both were executed to perfection by a master chef of 15 years' experience and absolutely delicious, a combination of subtle flavours and ideal for those who don't like their Asian food too fiery.

Attention to detail is first class and service efficient and friendly.

It was easy to see why the Himal has built up such a large 'family' of regulars who feel at home here.

The Himal is now fully licensed but customers are still encouraged to take along their own favourite tipple.

The restaurant decor and style is clean, crisp and modern and, I understand, that if business continues to at this level, it will be expanding.

You will find it easily on the main Torquay Road in Preston, shortly before the Seaway Road junction if you are approaching it from Torquay and there is ample street parking in the close vicinity.

Our bill for pappadoms and delicious pickle tray, two main courses, a naan, rice, a Cobra and a Kingfisher came to £32.50.

The Himal is open seven days a week for restaurant and takeaway meals. A delivery service, for orders costing more than £12, is available from 6pm.

As we discovered, booking a table is advisable and you can do so on 01803 524959.