They say there's a credit crunch, but that seems to have by-passed Zam Zam the Elland Asian restaurant, the Courier chose to sample for this latest review.

Given my love of spicy food I'm at a loss to understand why I have never set foot in the place before. That will change. I will be a regular vistor now.

A couple of months previously an old friend had suggested dining there.
Recommendations, as those reading these reviews are quick to point out, are subjective. And they are right.

One man's meat is another man's poison and all that. But you can only tell things as you find them.

A look through the window told this particular story. Here was a restaurant clearly bucking the trend and pulling in the punters at the least fashionable time of the week.

I won't say the starter was the best I've had in an Asian restaurant because that would be a lie. The Zam Zam special's pieces of chicken tikka and a marinated lamb chop were tasty enough; an onion bhajee that accompanied them slightly wilted. As I say, I have had better.

What was interesting though was the extra accompaniments produced with those starters, each created to enhance what it was paired with. For instance a vinegary sauce with onion and carrot shavings went perfectly with the lamb chop.

And a minty green sauce that came with a spiced fish dish (machlee masala) my wife had picked was unique to us and delicious. The fish was slightly overdone, though it didn't upset the taste.

If the starters were a little bit of a let down, the mains more than made up for them. Kofta masala and chicken bhuna with pilau rice and a garlic nan. Pretty as a picture and a great taste. Good portions too.

The atmosphere was superb; the service was attentive and prompt and the waiters looked to be enjoying themselves which is a good indicator.

A cup of coffee followed with an offer of top ups at no extra cost. Is that the norm these days? I do not think so.

We were also presented with a complementary dish of kulfi and peach which was a real treat and devoured in double quick time.

Zam Zam does not sell alcohol but diners are welcome to bring their own, which certainly helps reduce the overall cost. We drank water because we did not know this arrangement and I cannot remember the last time I did that, but it made a pleasant change. So too did the bill which came to just pennies over £30.

This was a great night out and a real lift at the end of a rainy day.
Just a note to the wise. Zam Zam does not accept credit or debit cards.

Details
Zam Zam.
18/20, Victoria Road,
Elland.
Tel: 01422 374171.

Courier reviews are conducted without the prior knowledge of the restaurant