It all began one Wednesday when I was working late – nothing unusual about that – but a fusion of smells started to drift into the office through an open window.

First it was garlic and a pepperoni aroma from the neighbouring pizza parlour that tickled the nostrils and got the gut gurgling, but before long this was replaced with the heady yet delicious odour of curry.

Before I could take hold of my urges I had scooped up my bag and coat and hot-tailed it to Jhinook across the street and placed an order.

That first order was met by myself and my husband once I had returned home with pure delight.

With Indian takeaways you tend to favour one and stick with it and become afraid of the unknown. But no such trepidation is required at Jhinook.

We have become ardent fans. My husband is one of those people whose meal choice you can predict depending on the restaurant.

At a Chinese it will be steak Cantonese, English choice will be fillet steak and chips, pizza will be a Margherita and Indian will be meat madras.

And this became his regular order here too. However I am a little more experimental and like a challenge so my meal of choice changes depending on my mood and how brave I’m feeling.

I can certainly recommend the chicken jhalfrezi, however, the strength of spice and heat levels have varied from one week to the next – so be warned.

I have also tried the chicken bhuna which packs less of a punch and when I didn’t want to test the intestines I went for a mild chicken balti.

And there is nothing better than mopping up the sauce with a garlic naan. My only complaint about Jhinook is that the naans aren’t really big enough to share but the rice portion is.

The menu offers a great selection. If you’re passionate about passanda, relish rogan josh or tempted by tandoori then you won’t be disappointed.

There are plenty of dishes to delight the diner including house specials and side dishes.

All prices are reasonable and what you expect from a curry house. Main courses average out at about £5 with side orders for £2.50 and there is even a 20 per cent discount on collected take away orders over £10.

Free delivery is offered on orders over £15 within a three mile radius so you don’t even have to get up off the couch to get your curry!

But if you prefer to eat in, the restaurant has been refurbished recently, inside and out and always looks clean and well maintained.

There is also a TV which tends to offer-up something suitably Indian to enhance the experience.

The service is always polite and efficient but it is the food that holds the real key to success and the Jhinook has definitely unlocked the door to my stomach.

It is now several months since my first Wednesday night visit and although I had to break the weekly habit and make it more of a monthly treat due to our expanding waistlines, the temptation of a tikka or tandoori remains.

by Jackie Laver

Star rating HHHH