Since its opening in 1991, Llanelli's Sheesh Mahal has been a favourite among locals and stood the test of time while other businesses have come and gone.
Nestled in the heart of the declining town centre, the restaurant has remained a bustling gem, the smell of delicious, authentic Indian food pouring out of the doors.
And now it seems that word is being spread far and wide about its charm as the eatery has been named Wales' Best Regional Restaurant of the Year at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway awards.
Growing up in Llanelli, I've visited the restaurant a number of times in the past so was keen to return to see if the town's old favourite really deserves to be Wales' best...
The starters
We started things, as expected, with a classic chutney tray and poppadums - all speedily ordered and served. The poppadums were perfectly warm and crispy and the accompanied chutney tray offered an array of flavours - my personal favourite being the bright green coconut chutney that was the perfect texture.
For my starter I went with an aloo chat - a dish made up of small potatoes and spinach fried and coated in chutney and spices. The starter was delicious, the spices were spot on - a nice kick without being overpowering - and the portion size was perfect for a starter, not too big.
My friends opted for the classics - one plate of samosas and one plate of onion bhajis. Both plates came with three of the entrees, a salad and a cooling chutney sauce.
The classic starters were crisp, full of spices and not too oily, the latter of which can be a common problem with British-Indian food.
The mains
As a vegetarian, I have become accustomed to settling for a pleasant but less-than-adventurous Sag Aloo when ordering Indian food but upon reading the Sheesh Mahal's menu was pleasantly surprised by the amount of choice available to me.
The vast majority of curry dishes could be ordered as a vegetarian option and a number were suitable for vegans.
As a lover of spice, I went for a vegetable madras - a hot curry dish with chilli powder as its main ingredient. The dish was packed with vegetables - not just the bog-standard potatoes and onions - and the spices provided the perfect amount of kick.
Under strict instructions not to chose an unadventurous korma, my friends opted for a hot Chicken Karahi and a less common but milder Kochi Murgh. Both were coated in delicious-tasting sauces and the meat was tender and paired with vegetables.
Along with the curries, we ordered a portion of mushroom rice and a bag of chips - half and half is surely the only option?
The chips were piping hot and crispy but not greasy. My only reservation was that both portions of rice which were a little crispy.
We also shared a portion of my favourite peshwari naan which is filled with crushed up almonds and sultana's and was one of the best I've ever tried.
Dessert
The table full of food made dessert seem like a challenge so we decided to share the restaurant's new dessert, the gulab jamun - a mini doughnut ball which was paired with a local favourite, a scoop of Joe's ice cream.
As someone who doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, the dessert was perfect in proportion and not sickly sweet.
The abundance of food was washed down nicely with a glass of the house red wine - a delicious Merlot that went nicely with the spicy dish. My dinner companions were also pleasantly surprised by the house white wine - a sauvignon blanc that didn't have the underlying vinegar taste you get with many house wines.
The service
Speedy, attentive and more than helpful, the service at the Sheesh Mahal really was excellent. Waiters cleared the table promptly after we had finished our meals and checked in to see if we were ready before bringing our next course. There were also plenty of staff on the ground so someone was always around if we needed anything.
The decor
Located next to Llanelli's sometimes loud Wetherspoon's, the restaurant does a very good job of transporting you to authentic India once you walk through the door.
Clean, modern and spacious, the traditional background music and water features created a peaceful and calming environment and the perfect space to fully concentrate on your meal.
Our verdict
The Sheesh Mahal's service, decor and food really proved why this quaint little Indian restaurant is a firm favourite among locals.
Along with the usual suspects, the restaurant also offers dishes that we had never heard of before and the number of vegetarian dishes available was a real treat for someone who usually has only two options.
Our only small criticism was that the presentation of the meals was rather basic and missing that wow factor.
Having visited the restaurant a number of times in the past, like an old friend I had maybe overlooked and taken the eatery for granted - but after revisiting I can safely say it really is one of the best in Wales.
Sheesh Mahal, 53-55 Stepney St, Llanelli SA15 3YA. Tel: 01554 773773
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