One of the country's leading quality daily papers recently singled out the Gurkha Durbar Nepalese Restaurant in Grayshott as the best of its kind in the UK.

The prestigious Weekend section of The Daily Telegraph of Saturday 10th February 2007 devoted almost all of its "Back Page" feature on Dining Out to sing the praises of the Grayshott curry house in Headley Road.

The paper's specialist food correspondent, Belinda Richardson, wrote: "The food, we agree, didn't just satisfy, it really wowed us. That, combined with a modest lack of swagger, makes this a real gem."

In the article, which featured photographs of some of the food, the ambiance, and three smiling Durbar waiters, Ms Richardson commented: "This restaurant is full of surprises, mainly jolly good ones" and she continues by describing the mouth-watering selection of dishes she consumed, with obvious delight, during the evening.

The secret of the restaurant's success, in little over 18 months, she writes, lies in the personality of its owner, real-life Gurkha Major Mani Rai: "The owner's charm is what gives this Nepalese Restaurant its magical atmosphere." She is equally complimentary about the Durbar's Chef: "Something of a local legend, not only does he satisfy half of Surrey with his Nepalese extravaganzas, he also doubles up as an electrician."

The paper also mentions several other 'Nepalese Gems' from as far apart as London, Manchester and Falmouth, but all the accolades are reserved for Grayshott's own 'gem', The Gurkha Durbar. Little wonder, then that the restaurant's telephone has hardly stopped ringing.

* The Gurkha Durbar, 30 Headley Road, Grayshott, Hindhead (01428 605855). A meal for two costs £33, without drinks or service.