WINTER is back with a vengeance – did it ever really go away? – and we were intent on keeping icy chills at bay with a warming dinner.

If I’m honest I never need much persuading to visit Sachins, but the lure of their delicately spiced and warming offerings made for an especially inviting refuge from the cold.

The famed Punjabi restaurant – 30 years old and still going strong – occupying a landmark building on Forth Banks, is one of our favourites.

We don’t go as often as we’d like as it can work out pricey, especially on family outings, but when we do push the boat out, it makes it feel all the more special.

An iconic restaurant it may be – and beloved of the great and good of our region – but that doesn’t mean it can rest on it laurels.

And fortunately on the strength of our visit it’s still one top establishment.

That’s got to be down to the energy and attention to detail with which the charming Bob Arora and his wife Neeta invest in the eaterie.

The pair, who bought their favourite dining venue back in 2000, simply never stop, and have lost none of their energy, greeting each and every guest like old friends. Neeta says she keeps fit just running up and down the restaurant’s spiral staircase!

Inside, there is dining on two levels and the classy, sophisticated eaterie has a modern vibe with its bold patterned carpet, walls painted in maroon and the cool photo montage of Indian street scenes.

The four of us were dining on a Saturday evening and were honoured to be shown to seats in Alan Shearer’s usual alcove.

Sadly, Alan didn’t show up that evening, but we’d happily have bunked up for him!

We ordered a Cobra beer, a glass of Chardonnay, and refreshing lassi drinks for the children ... tangy, lip-smacking yoghurt and honey concoctions, the perfect foil to spicy food.

Sachins is known for its excellent Punjabi cuisine, carefully and subtly infused with herbs and spices, and the extensive menu can take some time to go through.

Fortunately, staff who are unfailing polite and friendly, are very knowledgeable about dishes.

Smiley manager Vik was a big help, guiding us through the menu and advising on strengths of dishes.

The kids made quick work of poppadoms and assortment of dips and pickles, before we tucked into a sharing plate of papri chaat starter, £5.95.

This was a new one for us ... a street food described as the original Mumbai snack, it was a big hit with all four of us.

It may not look the most appetising presentation-wise, and it is served up cold, but it tastes seriously good.

Crispy delicate wholewheat pastries are topped with a mix of chickpeas, yoghurt, tamarind sauce and mint chutney. It is absolutely delicious and if I’d had nothing else that evening would still have left happy.

The other half and the older teen had the murgh tikka, three ways, £7.95. The chicken as soft and juicy as can be, marinated in delicately spiced saffron-infused tikka, a jeera tikka and mint and coriander tikka, all barbecued in the tandoor oven.

Younger daughter’s Goan salmon, £9.95, a soft fillet marinated in Goan spices and pan-seared, served with garlic and topped with dill, was a fresh and zippy dish. Perhaps a touch too zippy for her young palate. But I was more than happy to help out.