the kitchen.

But staff at Chopsticks Restaurant cooked up a treat to compensate for the 45-minute disruption.

They offered diners free "complimentary'' meals -- and about 30 took advantage.

The blaze broke out at the 68-seater Reid Street restaurant at about 8.30 p.m.

on Wednesday.

Firemen were alerted after oven grease caught alight.

The chef managed to douse the flames by the time nine fire-fighters arrived.

Manager Mr. Jerome Kauper said between 50 and 60 diners were in the restaurant.

"They were unaware that there was a fire, which was confined to the kitchen.

"Some smoke drifted into the take-out area, and also to the next-door restaurant, Rosa's Cantina.'' Mr. Kauper said the evacuation had been purely a precautionary measure.

"Everything was very orderly and there wasn't any panic at all. People were allowed back in at about 9.15 p.m.

"We offered to buy everybody complimentary meals to make up for the inconvenience.

"Most people had already finished their meals, and didn't need another meal.

"I would say about 30 or 35 people took up the offer.'' Mr. Kauper said the drama started after dripping grease from a "duck oven'' caught alight.

"The chef had it under control before the firemen arrived.'' Mr. Kauper added there was no damage to the kitchen.