by Ian Wishart

This is the sort of place that will get you in the party spirit. I was in a bad mood the night I went, but it didn’t last long after walking through the door – and that wasn’t just because of a 20-girl hen party on the next table.

Yes, there’s the recession, and we’ve all heard about how we should be scared of swine flu, but I defy anyone to visit this huge Belvoir Street restaurant and not come away feeling in better spirits.

Staff are friendly, the food is simple and tasty and the diners look like they’re enjoying themselves, which in my book helps a lot.

We went to Las Iguanas on a Saturday night.

It was almost full but there’s room for more than 100 guests and there was a real party atmosphere.

As long as you haven’t come for a peaceful romantic dinner for two you should feel the same way.

I’m not altogether sure how to describe the food. It’s billed as “Latin” so there are lots of fajitas and burritos and enchiladas.

But there is also Puerto Rican paella; moqueca, which is a Brazilian curry; and Cordero, a posh South American lamb chop.

The hen party, bride-to-be bedecked in L-plates, was getting into full swing as we chose our starters.

I dived in with a lamb empanada (£4.90), which I was assured is a popular street food throughout the South American continent. I’ve never been, I don’t know.

It was delicious and quite spicy in its garlic and chilli marinade with papaya and mint salsa.

My friend ate bolinhos (£.4.50) – posh fish cakes really, balls of flaky white fish mashed up

with potato and parsley and they went down a treat.

It struck me that this had very high cooking standards, which is unusual in such a mass-market restaurant, but what really sticks out are the smiling waiters and waitresses who quite clearly care whether you’re having a good time.

For the main course I chose a chicken enchilada (£8.90) which consisted of spiced chicken, bell peppers and cheese. It was full of flavour and something I’d choose again.

My friend had the flame grilled sirloin steak fajita with horseradish guacamole and salsa Criollo (£13.50) which was tasty and huge. No wonder she didn’t have room for pudding.

I made sure I did though. The chocolate banoffi pie (£4.50) – gooey and drizzled with toffee sauce – was probably the only disappointing aspect of the night. Slightly too much chocolate and not enough banana for my liking, although to be honest I’m nitpicking.

Washed down with a £13 bottle of wine, this isn’t the cheapest meal you can get in Leicester but it’s certainly good value.

The hen party staggered out about 11pm and we were close behind – feeling considerably happier than when we went in.

Info

Las Iguanas, 13-15 Belvoir Street, Leicester, 0116 285 9180

Rating: 4/5