I AM sorry to say that it is several years since I last visited the Far Pavilion at Bolton-le-Sands but we were camping nearby and decided to give the cook (ie me) a well deserved night off.

As on our last visit the place was packed with restaurant diners as well as locals (and no doubt a few of our fellow campers), taking advantage of the 10 per cent discount on takeaway meals.

You really can't fault the food at the Far Pavilion and, although I am not aware of any recent gongs, it is deserving of honours it has earned previously including Patak's 'Real Curry Restaurant Guide Best in Britain' award. However, delighted as I was by the chef's special set meal (which should be for four people but was kindly adapted for two), I was disappointed that the decor was sorely in need of a facelift.

If the restaurant is so successful then there is surely no excuse for threadbare chairs and worn carpets.

And as for those artificial flower arrangements . . .

In its favour, the Far Pavilion has hardly touched its prices and the restaurant remains incredibly good value. Perhaps they’ve decided to keep prices down rather than ‘charge’ the customer for a lick of paint.

To be honest, we enjoyed our meal so much that, in the end, I wasn't bothered about the wallpaper, but it would be remiss of me not to warn you.

Everything is spotlessly clean — just a bit dated.

So, if all you are interested in is first-class Indian food (there were five chefs in on the kitchen the night we attended) and impeccable service then the Far Pavilion is the place for you.