In the nine years since Welcome first opened its doors, north Finchley has undergone plenty of change. But this traditional Chinese restaurant on Tally Ho Corner has remained a landmark, offering great value for money and setting the standard with consistently high quality authentic Chinese food.

With more than 130 dishes, it would be no exaggeration to say that the extensive menu has something for everyone.

Traditional favourites are served with style, garnished with delicately carved vegetables and presented on pretty dishes. The menu is divided between pork dishes, vegetables, duck, chicken, beef, lamb and seafood, as well as a selection of delicious vegetarian dishes prepared using vegetarian' chicken or duck in traditional sauces.

Tucked away at the back of the menu there are also some more unusual dishes that come under the intriguing heading Eastern Taste'.

This selection includes fried choi sum (a kind of leafy flowering cabbage) in a ginger or garlic sauce, grilled tofu stuffed with minced prawns, and steamed bean curd served with crab meat. There is also a selection of traditional dim sum -small, light dishes that are perfect when served with fragrant Chinese tea.

Our first choice was some fantastic crispy aromatic duck, served with pancakes, cucumber, spring onions and a rich, sweet hoisin sauce. Our friendly attentive waitress was on hand to help us shred the duck and was even happy to help us roll our pancakes when she spotted that we were less than professional with our chopsticks.

Also highly recommended is the Welcome hors d'oeuvres. Designed for two to share, this plate of mixed starters includes crisp sesame prawn toasts, sweet and sticky barbecue spare ribs, light vegetable spring rolls and plenty of crispy seaweed all served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.

If you are dining with friends, the set meals offer a great value choice with lots of different dishes to share. The Welcome Special Feast, consisting of crispy duck, followed by chicken and sweetcorn soup, and then two main course dishes with egg fried rice, comes to a very reasonable £9.95 per person.

However delicious the main courses are, I would urge you leave room for dessert.

We were treated to the house speciality of toffee bananas and apples served with chocolate and vanilla ice cream. These little pieces of (highly calorific) heaven are made from chunks of banana and apple, deep fried in batter then stir fried in a wok with caramelised sugar and sesame seeds for a crisp, sweet finish.

Welcome is a Chinese restaurant that offers a very traditional, authentic approach to its food and, with great value for money and excellent service, it seems to be a winning combination.

Take-away available.

Welcome 682 High Road North Finchley N12 9PT 020 8445 0279 or 020 8445 3718