Every so often a restaurant redefines the way you look at food, writes Matthew Knowles.

India Dining does just this by reinventing Indian cuisine moving it away from traditional curries and rice towards a fine dining experience.

The stylishly cool restaurant in Warlingham is celebrating its ninth year serving great Indian food and it hasn't lost any of the innovation that has won it awards for in the past.

Forget what you know about traditional Indian restaurants, India Dining takes the flavours and spices and gives you something entirely new.

I started with spiced soft shell crab with a vinegar and lemon batter (£6.95) a must for seafood fans but not for the faint hearted as the entire crab is consumed shell, legs and all.
The batter was light and the crab perfectly complemented with a tangy mayonnaise.

My guest opted for the trio of chicken tikka (£6.95). Flavoured individually with coriander, cream cheese and apricot and lime, you can see the sort of twists Indian Dining takes with the old favourites. Each bite was juicy and flavoursome and the marinades only added to the experience.

Other tempting delights included buttered king scallops, served with a lightly spiced beetroot relish (£9.95), and a platter of tamarind duck, coriander chicken and minced lamb with crushed chilli (£9.95).

My main course of garlic roasted Barbary duck breast, green coriander & spinach sauce and masala mash (£15.95) brought Asian tastes to a French classic.

My companion opted for the spectacular Tandoori whole sea bass marinated in mustard and garlic, chick pea and rocket salad (£14.95).

Everything this restaurant does takes a new look at an old favourite and presents it beautifully.

And if you want to get a real idea of how good and different this restaurant is try the Tasting menu which lets you sample more than a dozen of the restaurant's creations at (£34.95) a head for a minimum of two.

India Dining, 6 The Green, Warlingham, CR0 9NA. Tel. 01883 625 905 www.indiadining.co.uk