I had to step in at the last minute to lead this month’s outing, as this months choice member was delayed with work. We stuck with his already-booked choice – an Indian restaurant in Oakham – and I’m glad we did.

A very pleasant restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere, complete with a motorbike display and a stylish bar area as you enter. The owner greeted us warmly and took the time to explain his exclusive wine selection and the draught beers on offer, including Heineken Zero and the locally brewed Grainstore beer.

We started with fresh poppadoms accompanied by a classic range of pickles – onions, spiced sauce, raita and mango chutney – all well presented and tasty.

The mains arrived fairly promptly, though not all at once for the four of us dining. I had the chicken biryani, which was very enjoyable – second only to My Deli in Leicester in my opinion – with a generous portion size.

The Shashlik Sizzler, despite arriving in a bowl rather than on a sizzling plate, was still delicious. The Tawa Bahar didn’t quite hit the mark, but the chef kindly prepared a special Saag with chicken which was well received.

Naans – both plain and peshwari – were spot on, and the lemon rice and pilau were equally good.

The overall bill was on the expensive side, though admittedly my friends were quite thirsty this evening! That said, looking at the food alone, it worked out at £19.80 per person.

All in all, a great meal in a lovely venue. There’s additional seating upstairs, and it’s clear the owner is passionate about his restaurant and the food he serves. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Oakham.