Tuesday 4 September 2007

Lombok, Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London

Compact, good-value south-east Asian restaurant serving flavourful, spicy curries and other Thai dishes. There are at least a dozen starters (about £4) to choose from, ranging from a refreshing seaweed and shiitake mushroom soup to a rich satay in a peanut sauce. The wide selection of main courses (about £8) includes a mouth-watering and eye-watering red roast duck curry and some fine king prawns with ginger and lemon grass. The pick of the side dishes is the tasty and filling pud Thai noodles (£6). Bottles of Singa and Tiger beer are the ideal way to cool down tingling taste buds and the efficient and friendly Asian waitresses will keep you stocked with tap water. Lombok, which also offers a fast takeaway service, gets a steady flow of customers most evenings and your fellow diners will probably be a smattering of couples and families.8/10