It doesn't seem that long since I reviewed Skipton's best-known Indian restaurant, The Aagrah. This week we decided to try Mastab's for a change, a much smaller and less high-profile establishment just round the corner on Keighley Road.

Rainy Tuesday evenings in January are bound to be quiet. There were only two other diners at Mastab's when we arrived and the atmosphere was fairly subdued. On the upside, this meant we got the staff's undivided attention all night.

The menu is an extensive range of meat, fish and vegetable dishes, as expected. All the prices are very reasonable, including the "specials".

Most of the starters are around £3.50 and the main courses somewhere near £7. We quickly made our selection, then settled back with poppadoms and pretty perfect pickles.

The background music seemed exotic, yet strangely familiar. We eventually realised these were bhangra versions of well known hits, quite a few of which were a definite improvement on the original.

We both ordered fishy starters. Husband's marinated and grilled machli tikka was great, full of flavour without being overwhelming. Unfortunately, my machli pakora were pretty grim. The fish was perfectly cooked, but surrounded by so much thick, soggy batter it ended up inedible.

Happily, the main courses were excellent. As usual, I indulged my penchant for vegetable side dishes rather than one large curry.

On this occasion I had tarka dall, lentils cooked with onions and spices, and saag bhaji, my favourite way to eat spinach.

Both dishes were superb, which made up for the fact the mushroom rice wasn't quite as good. The dall was especially fine: hot, buttery and delicious.

Husband also chose a favourite main course, chicken hyderabadi. This combination of chicken, ginger, garlic and cardamom is hard not to love, and Mastab's version was well done. To accompany the chicken he decided to try chilli rice, which we'd not seen before. This was tasty and may even make it onto the favourites list.

Keema naan was less successful, but I don't really like naan at the best of times, so may be a harsh judge. Husband said it wasn't so bad.

By pudding stage, he was full and I was ready for kulfi. I love kulfi, but until the happy day arrives when they sell it in Morrisons, I only ever eat it in restaurants. Normally a pistachio fan, I chose mango this time, and it went down beautifully.

When I reviewed The Aagrah, I described the interior as glamorous and the meal itself as a feast. Mastab's is more low-key, but sometimes that's what you're in the mood for.

The simpler, quieter option worked well for us last Tuesday. With coffee and a couple of beers, the total cost was £35.95.

Mary Arber