Pat Chapman, author of "2001 Good Curry Guide" and founder of "Curry Club", presented the certificate of the award to Mahendra Kaul, chairman of Chor Bizarre, at a function held here yesterday.

Mr Chapman said the 85-seat restaurant is unique, both for its decor as well as authentic Kashmiri food. "The food is expertly and accurately cooked, and extremely good, each dish with its own distinct masala."

Mr Kaul said the credit for making the restaurant unique and a success goes to entrepreneur Rohit Khattar who manages it.

The restaurant offers many Kashmiri dishes including Gilauti Kabab (lamb kebab flavoured with saffron served with tomato and white radish salad and mint yogurt chutney) and Marz Wangun Korma (lamb cooked with Kashmir chillies and cardamom with aniseed).

Of the 8,500 curry restaurants in Britain, 3,000 are in South of England and 1,600 are in London, he said.