In the Newbury Park area there is one curry house that stands out above the rest and has been much-admired for over two decades ever since they opened in 1985. Curry Special is one such place which eschews the tacky design sometimes associated with older curry houses and goes the abstract way with glass spiral staircase and plasma screens.

The lavishness of a Punjabi banquet is in full force here; starting with batata vada, deep-fried, battered spicy boiled potato dumplings with stuffed peas, and tandoori paneer tikka, homemade steaks of cottage cheese marinated with spices and lemon and finished in the tandoor. Next, main courses arrive where lamb is cooked with a coriander flavoured curry and the subtly aromatic methi chicken is simmered with fenugreek. A dessert of phool kaja, light crispy filo pastry parcels filled with almonds, pistachio and sugar, signals the end of a hearty meal at Curry Special.