IT WAS a cold Thursday, no-one wanted to cook and winter just won’t go away.

So what better excuse to treat ourselves to an exotic taste experience at the Ming Wah Chinese restaurant in Weymouth?

The restaurant was established 25 years ago by a couple called Ming and Wah, hence the name. When they retired it was taken on by another husband and wife team Tang and Queenie.

You could be forgiven for thinking the restaurant was tiny, as the shop front in St Thomas Street is quite small, but the restaurant stretches back and is spacious inside.

Inside, the restaurant is clean and tidy with soft lighting illuminating the walls.

The restaurant was relatively busy for a Thursday – always a good sign, and we were seated at a table at the back.

Unfortunately another guest at a nearby table was holding court quite loudly to a friend but luckily departed soon after our starter, leaving us to enjoy our quiet meal. One thing that has always struck me when I have been to the restaurant is how polite and attentive the staff are.

The service was really good – efficient, attentive and genuinely friendly. The menu is extensive with different dishes including Chinese Peking, Szechuan, Cantonese and Malaysian.

There are sizzling dishes, dishes in nests made of noodles, seafood dishes, pork, beef and chicken in various sauces – basically anything you could wish for.

We decided to go for one of the set menus – there are eight to choose from and for around £18.90 per person for a three course meal and coffee or Chinese tea, they represent great value for money.

We went for set menu F which consists of starters of fried crispy seaweed, Malaysian chicken satay and barbecued spare ribs, followed by crispy aromatic duck with pancakes, then a main of king prawn in garlic and chilli sauce, sweet and sour chicken and yung chow fried rice.

We accompanied this with a bottle of white wine and coffee and Chinese jasmine tea.

I cannot say this loudly enough – all the food was delicious.

The meat was tender and the sauces were full of flavour, but not overpowering. It was a great way to try all of our favourite dishes.

The duck pancakes were amazing and I loved the little touches like a flower carved from a vegetable with the starter.

The portions were big enough to fill hungry bellies but not so much as to be uncomfortable.

In short it was the perfect escape from the chill of winter.

I highly recommend you try the Ming Wah out for yourself.