You can never tell how spicy they will be until you taste them.
Chocolate on the other hand is guaranteed to make you feel loved up.

It's the most high energy food in the world and like chillies, creates a warmth that pervades the body, dilates the blood vessels and makes us more alert.

Put the two together and it's a sensation like no other. They take possession of the senses and, a bit like a drug I suppose, give you a high that lasts long into the night.

I experienced that high one night this week after checking out Calderdale's latest restaurant, the Prickly Pear in Southgate, Elland.

As the name suggests (a Prickly Pear is a cactus) the restaurant serves mainly Mexican cuisine but is out to prove there is more to it than tacos, nachos and chilli con carne.

While the menu offers all the old favourites you might expect, many come with a twist, and take you by surprise. My sizzling steak fajita is one good example. Fajitas all taste the same you might be thinking, and I tended to agree until I tried Matthew Burke's version.

Matthew has come from Nosh in Huddersfield, and certainly knows his stuff. He opened the Prickly Pear this month with his partner, Christy O'Connor, who is front of house.

Mexican food can take hold of the senses like no other as far as I'm concerned. When prepared well, a dish can intensify the taste buds because it offers so many unique flavours, some are subtle, some are earthy, some are downright explosive.

My beef fajita was all of them. What made it different was the red hot chillies on the side and the sweet chilli jam the beef, peppers, onion and fresh coriander were mixed in. I loved the hot and sweet tastes, and my starter of carpaccio of beef fillet didn't disappoint. This is an Italian favourite of mine but can be a bit bland. (I usually drown it in olive oil) But Matthew's version comes with a beetroot and corn salsa on the side.

Other starters I can recommend (tried by my partner and son) include the excellent garlic mushrooms and crab and spring onion balls in breadcrumbs with sweet chilli jam. The mixed grill is worth a look at too. It's beautifully presented and tasty to the end. Along with the sirloin, chicken, barbecue ribs and lamb chops you get home made onion rings and black pudding. My 13-year-old cleared the lot.

While the menu is not extensive, there is a special board which is well worth checking out (the chargrilled tuna steak with cajun prawns and saute new potatoes, and fillet rossini with red wine jus were two on offer the night we visited) and because Christy is a vegetarian there is always going to be plenty to tempt non-meat eaters.

The place itself is cosy, intimate and tastefully decorated. Some might say too intimate (the 11 tables in the restaurant are pretty close together) but if you get fed up with your own company you can also join in someone else's I suppose.

All in all it's a welcoming place with lots of atmosphere and tasty food.

I'll be returning if only to experience my high again – down to Matthew's homemade chocolate and chilli ice cream. You taste the chocolate instantly but don't get the bite until it goes down your throat. It's scrummy, it's addictive and you don't feel like sleeping when you get home that I promise you!

Fact file
Name: Prickly Pear.

Address: Southgate, Elland.

Telephone: 01422 372595

Ratings:
Food: 4/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Value: 4/5