IF YOU fancy a balti on a cold winter's night, or a hot vindaloo to impress your mates, you have come to the wrong place.

Hidden in the Bellenden area of Peckham (Posh Peckham to locals) is the delightfully modest surroundings of the Ganapati South Indian Kitchen.

The decor is unashamedly bohemian, while its multi-cultured staff are united by impeccable manners, superb menu knowledge and above all an appreciation of when to leave your customers alone.

Dressed in suitably laid back attire, waiters and waitresses glide around the small venue with smiles on faces without creating that all-too-common tacky holiday camp atmosphere.

And the food is just as impressive.

The vegetarian street snack starter is a great way to kick-off the meal with a good selection of flavours seeping through the mouth-watering spicy potato balls and cashew nuts fried in chick pea batter.

Another fine starter option is the delicately constructed crab thoran with onions, ginger and curry leaves accompanying some subtle crabmeat.

The main dishes were just as good. Kuttanadu Duck Curry served with Nadan Dosa was the pick of the bunch.

Served on the bone, the duck's moist flavours came through despite the healthy doses of ginger, garlic, green chilli and garam masala sauce.

The kitchen's Lamb Olathu was equally as addictive. Spicy pieces of lamb cooked medium dry with shallots, green chilli, coconut slices, black pepper, garlic and ginger were hugely enjoyable and was once again accompanied beautifully - this time with a mouth watering Kerela Paratha bread.

If you have room for a dessert after all of that then there are some extremely rich puddings on offer.

Indian sweets offer the lighter option but if you have the stomach for it then why not check out the delicious sticky carrot halwa - grated carrots slow-cooked in milk and sugar, with cashew nuts and sultanas.

A three course meal for two with wine and water comes to between £50 and £60.

Ganapati South Indian Kitchen, 38 Holly Grove, Peckham, SE15 5DF Visit ganapatirestaurant.com or call 020 7277 2928.