Bauji

‘Bauji bears comparison to places like Gunpowder, Kricket and Cinnamon Kitchen … I would absolutely kill to have it as my local,' is praise indeed for this charming neighbourhood restaurant, a five-minute walk west of Worthing town centre. The cooking reimagines the comfort food of Rajasthan, where chef-proprietor Dayashankar Sharma grew up, and he hits the target with a longish menu that delivers well-judged spicing and a kaleidoscope of flavours and textures. We like the mainstream dishes – the signature shatkora jhinga (huge shatkora citrus-infused grilled prawns), an ‘absolutely fantastic’ chicken biryani – more than the contemporary interpretations (we suggest swerving the cranberry-stuffed paneer). But a meal here will impress. Portions are generous, and prices are reasonable. As for drinks, the brief, spice-tolerant wine list opens at £33 for a bottle, £8 by the glass.