WHAT the Taste of Asia in Caxton Place, Newport, lacks in dcor more than makes up in the quality of its food.

On a disappointingly quiet Thursday night I found myself wandering around Newport and by accident found the Indian restaurant/takeaway in Caxton Place.

The menu offered the usual suspects such as Balti, Tikka, Bhunas, Kormas, Biryani etc. and the more unusual such as a King Cantona 7 Walla Football Special or an Original Lamb and Mushroom Taka-Taka Tin at £6-95. So with a Bhaji-Somo-Pakura (£5.95) as a starter (it's really for two) and the Taka-Taka Tin ordered with a mushroom rice (£2.50) I sat back and enjoyed my bottle of Cobra.

The service was fast but if you're impatient you can watch the chefs at work as they prepare your meal, the kitchen has an open aspect and customers are invited to watch.

One dish on the menu for the more adventurous or masochistic is the Phal Chilli Phal advertised as the hottest dish in the world (probably). Anyone seen to be eating without discomfort will be rewarded with a free beer - best of luck.

With the restaurant also doubling up as a takeaway there was no problem with me taking my leftovers home (the portions are generous) and re-living the Taste of Asia, all at a very reasonable cost of only £17.90. Chris Tinsley