We visited Chillies West End in Woodlands Road in Glasgow for lunch on a week day at the beginning of July 2009. The restaurant chefs Jansey and Saumitra won the BBC Good Food Scotland award for the best Asian dining chefs in 2008/2009.

Chillies West End, Glasgow

The restaurant is billed as a contemporary Indian restaurant serving “small portions of exquisite food”. The idea is that you can sample a wide variety of dishes. You should be aware that the restaurant operates a no alcohol policy.

Between 12.00 to 15.00 and 17.00 – 18.30 (tables must be vacated by 19.30), there is the option to select three little dishes from the day menu for £9 to include either nan bread, rice or a tandoori roll. We chose:

1 Machil Nariyal Masalah – mixed seafood

2 Gosht with Mint & Yoghurt – lamb

3 Chooza Goan – chicken with honey

4 Tarka Dall – lentils

5 Saag Paneer – spinach with cheese

6 Gosht Karachi – lamb with peppers

Chillies West End, Glasgow

Chillies West End did live up to its promise of exquisite food. The dishes were much lighter than you often find in a Indian restaurant, with subtle flavours. The restaurant has a pleasant ambience, with dark wood tables and red chairs to echo the chilli theme. The toilets are very clean and had lovely scented soap.

I’d recommend the restaurant, especially at lunch time or early evening, when it’s excellent value for money.