LE SPICE (take-away), 151 Whitehill Road

This take-away was opened in April 2003 by Mr Abdul Ahad who used to run the Cafe Taj in town. A bright, clean interior waiting area and an extensive menu present a good first impression.

Until January 2006 the food had always been OK, ranging from a fairly standard formula curry to a bit above the average - certainly I never had a poor meal there up to that time. I had reported that the Niramish Bhaji and AluGobi (sic) were pretty standard while the Sabzi Dhansak was pleasantly spiced and fairly hot. Chicken Tikka Jalfrezi and Ginger Murgh were very tasty and hot.

However, in January 2006 I had a dreadful meal - quite different than previously, lacking in definitive spicing and more like a supermarket boil-in-a-bag curry! I commented then that I hoped it was a one off (perhaps the chef was ill), and another like that and it'll be another of my  local curryhouses that falls from grace!. Well, it took its turn on the rota of Indian take-aways and I waited more than six months before trying again, but once again I was very disappointed. Although the Tandoori Chicken was OK, if a bit tough, the Chicken Tikka Pathia was very lifeless (again like a supermarket curry) and the Sabzi Dhanzak comprised vegetables so finely diced that it was like porridge, and both had a faintly burned taste about them, as though overcooked.

Prices about average and the delivery time is reliable. Portions also about average (an improvement on its early days when the vegetable accompaniments and the vegetable rice portions were fairly small). However, two poor meals in row - albeit with seven months between them  - has put me off for a while. Perhaps I have just been unlucky on picking the chef's day off, but it will be a while before I return.

Malcolm Wilkins- August 2006