SINCE it first opened its excellent restaurant in Christchurch 16 or 17 years ago Starlight has been a firm favourite in our house.

Guaranteed to deliver succulent Bengali and Indian fare, it is perfect for a full-blown meal out or simply for one of their consistently fine takeaways.

So it was great to see that they have now opened a new branch in central Bournemouth. Checking it out the other evening we were initially baffled to find it almost completely devoid of that rather essential ingredient to restaurant success - customers.

Then it dawned on us. Starlight II is effectively a theatre restaurant. It is situated in Exeter Road just a couple of hundred yards from the Bournemouth International Centre where at the precise moment we were sitting down to eat the curtain was being raised on the first of three consecutive Billy Connolly shows. Meanwhile not much further away an audience was enjoying the first act of Bizet's Carmen at the Pavilion.

A quick inquiry revealed that indeed, had we arrived a little earlier, Starlight II would have been heaving with pre-show diners. The staff told us that, open to gone midnight, they were expecting a post-show flood of customers later that evening.

Diners are in for a treat. Our meal proved every bit as good as the many feasts we have enjoyed at Starlight's sister restaurant. We started with plain papadoms and pickles before enjoying main courses which included the hot, sweet and sour delight of a chicken dhansak plus a lamb laziz - a house speciality which contains beautifully tender pieces of lamb slow-cooked into a condensed stew of aubergines and spices.

Our side dishes were a sag aloo - a perfect combination of spinach and potatoes and a tarka dhal with the lentils boosted with a flavourful garlic hit. Served with pilau rice and a plain nan, it delivered a wonderful combination of textures and flavours and showed that Starlight's commitment to quality food and cooking is as important at the new Bournemouth outlet as it has always been in Christchurch.

Starlight II offers a pleasant dining environment with a design that favours modern clean lines. It swiftly became a favourite among delegates at the recent Labour Party Conference and I am told that at least a dozen MPs have sampled its fare. No Cabinet Ministers as yet but I guess it's only a matter of time.

Our meal for two with a couple of bottles sparkling mineral water cost just over £33.