ON moving to East Lancashire, we lived near Balti Stan, and colleagues were quick to recommend it as a favourite curry house.

More than three years after moving house, we were treating my dad to a birthday tea and he fancied a curry. With horrific rain falling, we didn’t fancy going too far so it seemed a sensible choice.

Staff were quick to greet us with warm smiles.

Poppadums and chutneys stopped tummies from rumbling before our starters arrived, of a mixed kebab, onion bhaji and meat samosa. My husband was not sharing his shish, chicken tikka and samosa offering, so dad and I swapped bhajis and samosas — all of which were crisp, non-greasy and tasty.

Rattling up to the table next were our mains, served from the trolley and over plate warmers. The lamb in my rogan josh was plentiful and delightfully tender, but the sauce lacked a bit of oomph on the heat and general seasoning, but the garlic nan certainly made up for lack of big flavours. Items like this and the starter snacks really show the difference between Indian restaurant food and takeaways.

Dad’s birthday bhuna was devoured with a couple of chappatis and little conversation — a good sign, while I made the most of the sauce from my husband’s chicken tikka masala with my nan.

Service throughout was attentive without being intrusive and a Christmas soundtrack added to a fairly quiet mid-week atmosphere.

The bill came to £70, with drinks and side dishes, which we were happy with for an albeit last minute, special occasion.

VERDICT

  • Food: 8
  • Drink: 8
  • Service: 8
  • Atmosphere: 8
  • Value: 8