This is Scunthorpe --WITH North Lincolnshire engulfed in a heatwave, it seemed fitting to get into the spirit of things by eating something hot. And where better to test my tastebuds than Le Raj, nestled in the heart of Brigg's Market Place.
This curry house prides itself on being the best in Brigg, having won the Telegraph's Restaurant of the Year crown once and finished runner up twice. And despite the scorching heat outside, diners continued to swarm to this fine-dining establishment – where attention to detail is at its very best.
Arriving at 7pm on a Sunday evening, the restaurant had few empty tables – despite the weekend drawing to a close.
Owners Faz Kabir and Moklisur Rahman have created an inviting atmosphere within, with soft music playing and decor that oozed class and sophistication.
Met by a beaming member of staff, we were immediately made to feel welcome and at ease. He seated us on a comfy sofa overlooking the restaurant, where we tucked into a bowl of Bombay mix while perusing the extensive menu.
All too often in restaurants I am made to feel hurried and hassled when choosing my dish, feeling the need to check every page for some hidden culinary delight.
But the prompt delivery of drinks was not followed by a barrage of specials and recommendations – instead the smartly dressed waiter waited attentively, offering sage advice when called upon.
My partner and I both decided on the special five-course Sunday menu, which consisted of poppadoms and dips, a starter, main dish, choice of naan or rice, and tea or coffee to finish.
Unlike some set menus, the choice was not limited to one or two dishes – instead a large part of the menu was available in the five-course deal. For just £9.95 there was no argument about value for money.
Having taken our order, we were given time to sip our drinks and mull over our dinner decisions, before being led to a quiet table in the corner of the restaurant.
Set out with candles and ornate cutlery and crockery, there was certainly a sophisticated feel about our surroundings.
We didn't have to wait long before a bowl of poppadoms and platter of dips arrived, which we ravenously ate into without pause. The selection of chutneys, spiced onions and curry paste complimented the crisp poppadoms perfectly, and in a flash we were staring, once more, into empty plates.
The waiter was quickly on hand to remove the dishes, and also took the time to replace the side plates and offer more drinks – further evidence of the excellent attention to detail and friendly manner of the staff.
When the starter arrived, we were both reluctant to tuck in due to the immaculate presentation. My partner was brought a sizzling dish of samosas, garnished with spices and finely sliced onion, which was swiftly transferred from the hissing hot plate to our table.
The vegetable filling of the samosa had a good balance of spice and sweetness, encased in a wafer thin pastry which gave a soft crunch as it was pulled apart.
For me, a chicken tikka garlic puri arrived, which despite sounding complicated, was a wonderful sight. A perfectly round pastry bread sat on the plate, topped with tender chicken tikka in a garlic sauce.
The dish looked modest for a starter, but it soon became apparent the combination of pastry bread and chicken was very filling. The heat was not too strong, which was perfect for me, being something of a coward when it comes to spicy food.
The portions were perfectly sized – not too small to leave you unsatisfied, but not so large as to leave you dreading the main course.
Along with two refreshing bowls of salad, we soon found ourselves eagerly awaiting the main course – wondering how the chef could possibly top such a delicious starter.
With high hopes, my partner's meal arrived first – a rich chicken balti served in a silver dish, with a generous serving of pilau rice.
The simplicity of the presentation added a sense of class and confidence. The chef clearly knew that the flavours would speak for themselves, without having to dress the dish up in some elaborate way.
My own dish looked just as straightforward – a simple porcelain dish of chicken korma accompanied by an equally generous portion of pilau rice. Keen to tuck in, we combined the rice with our curries and started eating.
The balti came laden with green peppers, onions, tomatoes, coriander and ginger – creating a maelstrom of flavours.
The korma was more basic in its ingredients, with a thick creamy sauce which complimented the tenderness of the rice.
But the most outstanding feature of both dishes was the moistness of the chicken – which was unsparingly loaded onto each plate. Almost falling apart under the knife, it was cooked exquisitely – having absorbed the flavours of the sauce.
In my experience, other Indian restaurants have fallen foul in the past of serving a bland korma dish. Being less adventurous with spices, I have become a connoisseur of the milder meals on offer.
But the Le Raj korma was packed with flavour, with hints of coconut and almond standing out from the creamy sauce.
Compliments must be paid to head chef Mr Khan, who excelled himself for both my partner and I, as well as the remainder of the restaurant.
Restaurant owner Faz even had the courtesy to come across and see what we thought, and we could not find enough superlatives for the fantastic food.
A testament to his attitude was the offer of a tailor-made curry next time we came to eat, to introduce me to new flavours without setting my mouth alight.
Across the room there were unmistakable moans and groans of admiration for the lovingly cooked food – with one couple so unwilling to leave a morsel uneaten, they took the leftovers home.
For me, Le Raj is not just the best Indian restaurant in Brigg, but one of the best in North Lincolnshire. The high quality food is only surpassed by the wonderful staff, who made this dining experience a real pleasure.
And if travelling out for dinner is not an option, Le Raj offers a delivery service to Brigg and surrounding areas – as far as Broughton and Barnetby in each direction.
We will definitely be returning to this excellent restaurant, and I might even brave a balti the next time we visit!
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*Le Raj is situated at 20 Market Place, Brigg* Reported by This is 20 hours ago.