Lasan - Birmingham

A bright, chic venue that is making waves in the centre of Birmingham with its sexy mix of new wave Indian food and modish decor. Bare concrete floors, coffee colour schemes and sculptural white chairs set the mood in the ultra-contemporary dining room.

The menu is an enticing read, suggesting that the kitchen is aiming for innovation across the board. Coconut and coriander salmon is served as a starter with mango and chilli dressing, pot-roast 'French-trimmed' lamb cutlets come with spicy mash, while mooli adds extra texture to tarka dhal. Also worth noting are Malabar-style black bream, duck uri masala (seared duck breast on a fine bean curry), and chick peas with courgettes.

There are also plenty of familiar ideas, including a trio of samosas, king prawn jalfrezi and chicken dopiaza if you fancy something tried-and-trusted. Desserts are an interesting bunch, spanning everything from traditional rasmalai and kulfi to 'firni brûlée' (sable tart filled with Indian rice-flour pudding) and mango and almond crumble served with iced apple custard.