On a scorching Tuesday evening, with the weather more suited to Mumbai than Muswell Hill, it seemed fitting to try out the latest addition to London's Indian restaurants.

The Alexandra Tandoori in Alexandra Park Road opened its (thankfully) air-conditioned doors this week with a menu crammed with delicious Indian cuisine.

As you would expect from a brand new restaurant, the interior is modern and elegant, with pale cream walls to give the room the feeling of light and space. The subtle, traditional music creates a relaxing atmosphere while the friendly, attentive waiters make sure that you have everything you need.

The restaurant specialises in tandoori and balti-style food, cooking meat and fish over flaming charcoal in the tandoori clay oven to give an authentic flavour. But, as well as the traditional favourites, there are some exotic sounding dishes, such as sizzling pharika and king prawn kushboo, for those who like something a bit different.

I chose to take the traditional route and after some delicious poppadoms and pickles, I was served a starter of crisp, light onion bhaji, and tender pieces of chicken tikka served with salad. The chicken had been marinated in fresh herbs and spices before being cooked in the clay oven, giving it a melt-in-the-mouth texture and a delicate flavour. This was followed by a main course of lamb bhuna, chicken tikka masala and fluffy pilau rice.

The tender lamb was sensational, served in a richly spiced sauce and fragrantly flavoured with whole cardamom.

The chicken tikka marsala had a mild and creamy sauce and large pieces of chicken that had taken on the delicate flavours of the tandoori oven.

For people who prefer something hotter the menu has a full choice of spice strengths, ranging from sweet and creamy korma to the fiery, hot phall curries, which are definitely not for the faint hearted.

There is also a selection of set meals and thali small portions of several different dishes which are great if you just can't decide what to choose.

They also offer a take away service, with free local delivery on orders over £10.

Alexandra Tandoori
126 Alexandra Park Road
Muswell Hill
London
N10 2AH
020 8365 2666
020 8365 2777