THE better half has a theory that a good curry can do wonders if you’re coming down with a cold.

So with the shivvers beginning to take hold, I was sent off in search of a hot one.

The Ruchi Bangla has never let me down in the past, offering what I would consider restaurant-standard dishes.

One of the things I like is the number of unusual dishes on offer as part of the chef’s favourites section of the menu.

For the patient, I chose the naga naga chicken with pilau rice and for me, the wonderfully named balti exotica with plain naan.

Add a portion of mint sauce and the bill came to over £15 — a bit pricey but I’m a great believer in you get what you pay for.

For those not expert on chillies, the naga is one of those that you tend to handle with gloves.

Thus for a wimp like me, the chicken dish was totally inedible as I feared for the roof of my mouth.

The better half got through it thanks to the mint sauce and declared she felt a little better.

The balti dish was a real treat featuring pieces of tandoori chicken, lamb tikka and vegetables, all in a wonderfully flavoursome sauce.

RATING

TASTE 9
TEMPERATURE 9
SPEED 8
VALUE 8
CHOICE 9