ON a damp and miserable Friday night at the end of a long week you sometimes just can’t beat a good chicken tikka masala.

It’s like comfort food for the less than adventurous — and not feeling particularly adventurous after getting a right royal soaking at a so-called summer cricket match, Nelson’s Saffron Bangla particularly appealed.

For those that know Nelson, the Saffron Bangla is the former Madhubon Restaurant and, just like its former self, does a takeaway service.

As I ordered a set meal for one — basically food for two days — I wondered if the Saffron could live up to the lofty heights of the Madhubon.

There was no need to worry.

The meal took about 20 minutes but the waiting area of the rather quiet restaurant was warm, clean and comfortable and the aroma coming from the kitchen really got the senses going.

Piled up with a huge bag of food, I headed off to devour the chicken tikka masala and pilau rice. It was excellent with big pieces of chicken in a cracking sauce, while the vegetable bhaji, two poppadoms and mango chutney were also bob on.

And by way of a bonus the set meal also included a mixed kebab — in a tray — and that topped off a fine Friday feast.

It may be a new name, a new identity even.

But the standards set down the years have certainly been passed on.

TASTE 9, TEMPERATURE 8, SPEED 8, VALUE 7, CHOICE 8