IT'S typical, you don't get any new restaurants for years and then half a dozen come along all at once!

OK, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but I've certainly never known so many new places to eat opening in Swindon in such a short space of time.

In recent months we've seen Le Rendezvous, Bottelino's, Planet Bollywood, The Spag Bowl and Carbonara all open their doors. Then there's Oriental Aroma, Martha's Grill . . . and I'm sure I've missed some out.

Anyway, long may it continue especially if they offer the same kind of value and service as Cosmo's.

It has been serving customers for a couple of weeks now but I went along on the opening day and was astounded on several counts. First of all, because everything ran smoothly. There appeared to be no teething problems, you'd never have guessed it was just a few hours old.

That may be partly down to the fact that it already has branches in Chatham, Eastbourne, Hastings, Margate, Romford and Tunbridge Wells but it's impressive nevertheless. It's a huge place - it can accommodate up to 270 diners in 7,600sq ft of space - located opposite the Holiday Inn and close to the central police station (not near the Travelodge opposite the former, now demolished, town centre police station which is where I first went!).

When I finally got there (thank goodness for mobile phones - I'd accidentally stood up my dining companion once before in the days pre mobiles, but I had no excuse this time) I was pleased to find a buzzing atmosphere, attentive staff and a fresh modern decor. The food was great.

To say there's a big mix of dishes is something of an understatement.

You can have everything from pizza and chips - if you must! - to the restaurant's speciality Oriental dishes.

Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Singaporean, Malaysian and Indian dishes all feature.

There's no food menu - it's run as an "eat as much as you wish" buffet with at least 40 dishes available at lunch and 80 for dinner.

And - here's the other thing I found astounding - the prices are so reasonable, you don't feel the need to stuff yourself to the gills to get your money's worth.

In fact, I don't know how they do it. Don't they know how much some people can eat? And the drinks aren't over-priced either.

I think it's the only time I've ever received a bill in a restaurant and felt I should be paying more! For little more than the price of a starter in most places (£5.90) - and a lot less than in some - I helped myself to mixed hors d'ouvres which included crispy seaweed, satay chicken, spring rolls, deep-fried prawns and chicken parcels.

Then it was crispy duck pancakes . . . and that was before we'd even started on the mains or sampled the sweets. Think of your favourite Oriental dish - and it's likely to be on the menu. If it isn't the restaurant says it can cook expressly to your requirements.

It's a great addition to Swindon's roster of restaurants and now I've found it, I'll be heading back soon.

Cosmo

Linden Court, Holbrook Way, Swindon SN1 1BE

Telephone 01793 495666

www.cosmo-restaurants.co.uk

Hours and prices: Monday to Thursday - lunch noon to 3pm, £5.90; dinner 5.30pm to 10.30pm, £11.80. Friday and Saturday - lunch noon to 3pm, £5.90 Friday, £6.50 Saturday; dinner 5.30pm to 11pm, £12.80. Sunday noon to 10.30pm £11.80.

Other: Children under 4ft 7ins half price; last entrance 30 minutes before closing.