In the run up to the Easter weekend anticipation of an extended break from the cell you call your work desk abounds on the streets of Dublin. On a Thursday evening you can feel the anticipation build, last minute Easter eggs to be bought, a new electronic gadget for the boys or even that 'to-die for' Louis Vuitton bag that had to be bought because there was a 10% reduction. Amidst all these frenzy you have to take a step back and nourish the body, it's with this in mind that I had dinner in the Eastern Balti House on South William Street.

We were meeting John and Therese at 8pm in order to wind down after the mad rush of shopping. We arrived early, as is my habit. The Eastern Balti house is situated on the corner of South William Street and Stephen Street and describes itself as a traditional Indian and Bengali restaurant. There is a comfortable lounge waiting area by the front door where you can look over the menus while waiting for your date. Take a couple of steps up into a rectangular dining area; the mirrors at the far end of the room give a feeling of depth and size. The lighting is soft and the floors are carpeted, which helps to absorb the sound on a busy night. There is adequate space between tables to allow for private conversation and ease of service. Tables are set with cloth napkins which are always more pleasing than tissue and thankfully the chairs are comfortable. When you are planning on sitting down while eating its always nice not to have move from side to side every couple of minutes to obtain some degree of comfort as is the case in some of this city's restaurants.

As we perused our menus we had Cobra beers all round. The menu is vast and is divided into starters of which there are about 28, main courses including Balti dishes Biryani and chef's recommendations, vegetables and sundries. Starters range from Samosa €4.44, Onion Bagee €4.44, Boti kebab €5.00 (which is barbecued pieces of lamb marinated in yoghurt, papaya and spices) to mixed meat platter €8.80 and special Tandoori Quail at €15.90. The selection for main courses was even more extensive. chicken, lamb, prawn and vegetable balti and Biryani dishes are all-available and range in price from €12.70 to €19.00. The old favourites are also available, Chicken Masala, Tandoori Tikka Masala and how could we forget Rojan Josh. If you are unfamiliar with Indian Cuisine you could always follow the advice of your chef and have Tandoori Jumbo Prawns Masala €19.00 (prawns marinated in yoghurt and spices and cooked in a clay oven with a creamy tandoori sauce) or Murgi Makhanwala (half a spring chicken stuffed with diced lamb, egg and tomatoes and topped off with a creamy yoghurt and brandy sauce.

The wine list offers a selection of about 30 wines covering the main wine growing areas of the world. You can choose from Beaujolais Villages €21.00, Italian Frascati, German Gewurtraminer and Chateau Nuef de Paupe at €33.00.

Both couples decided on the Mixed Meat platter for starters. Both dishes were served as one for all four of us to help ourselves. The meat consisted of tandoori specialties like sheek kebab, chicken and lamb served on a bed of vegetables. I have to say that this choice of starter was a disappointment to all concerned. The quality of chicken was very poor or perhaps this one specimen of chicken was all bone and no substance. The quantity served for four people was such that we enquired whether they had yet to serve the second meat platter ordered.

For the main courses I decided on Tandoori Jumbo Prawns Masala, my fiancé was having the safe "no heat " Lamb Korma option, John eventually (that's the problem with extensive menus) deciding on Eastern Special Balti and Therese choosing the Chicken Bhuna.

The main courses arrived quickly, served by waitresses wearing the traditional sari. There was about 5/6 waiting staff serving the room so speed of service was not an issue. Main courses having arrived, the swapping could begin. Therese in my opinion had the dish of desire, it had a lovely fresh tangy finish. Aileen was quite happy with her Korma, very rich and nice tender pieces of chicken. The Eastern Balti Special, served in the traditional Karahai to give it its correct name, offered John a tangy, spicy and aromatic experience of the Indian cuisine. An experience he enjoyed. I leave myself last because I had a gripe. Tandoori Jumbo Prawns Masala sets my mind racing onto thoughts of large succulent prawns and a rich creamy sauce. I got the rich creamy sauce but alas the jumbo prawns turned out to number four that had been cut in a butterfly shape to gibe the illusion of size. Leaving me with a dish consisting of mostly tandoori sauce and pilau rice.

Another round of Cobra beers was followed up by a glance of the dessert menu. A laminated card detailing a selection of commercial pre-made desserts does not excite, so it was coffee all round. The cost of the meal for four was €180, of which drinks constituted €50. This restaurant is unfortunately one of those that charge extra for the Pilau rice and have a 12.5% service charge. Perhaps the most annoying thing to me about the bill is that the credit card slip comes with a gratuity section that you fill in of course, but not in the knowledge that you have paid 12.5% already. So all in all this restaurant is a mixed bag, it's a busy place on a Thursday night after the shopping rush, the surroundings are pleasing and the service is good if a little rushed. But all in all I feel that after you examine the bill you will be left feeling that the quality does not match the price.

Tel: 01- 6710428