My last visit to this restaurant, in its previous guise, led to my reputation as liking the unusual in curries.

It is some 18 months since I tucked into an exotic curry at what was then the Indiana.

I relished the fruit-packed Zafraani Exotica with its coconut, almond, mango, pineapple – and bananas.

Unusual, yes. Delicious, absolutely. So with the Indiana now under new ownership and with a new name, Grameen Spice, a return visit was called for.

This Bangladeshi and Indian restaurant, based in what used to be the New Inn pub in Briestfield Road, Grange Moor, has a completely different menu but the same friendly welcome.

It’s nice to be greeted at the door with a handshake. Much better than some restaurants where you hop in embarrassment from one foot to the other waiting to be seated.

I’d already checked out the Grameen Spice website which gives the misleading impression that this place is more of a takeaway than a restaurant.

As I learned later, the website is to be revamped, though you can at least browse the menu online.

What I like about this place is that it’s spacious with plenty of elbow room.

Nothing much seemed to have changed inside and the furniture and decor is high quality. I also like to see good solid cutlery that feels ‘right’ when you’re tackling your food.

Grameen has proper feelgood steel. It’s these details that makes all the difference for me.

Once inside, my partner Sian and I were shown to a table in the corner. “It’s the same one we had last time,” Sian remarked.

As a bloke I didn’t really remember but she stuck me facing a wall so my only distorted view of the restaurant during the meal was through a mirror to the side. Erm thanks, Sian.

The restaurant menu is the same as on the website. Takeaways are available for collection only with a 10% discount.

We’d already selected what we fancied from the web – interesting how people do that these days – and I went for the Lucknow Lamb Chops (£4.95) for starters, attracted by the name as much as anything.

The tender lamb chops had been well marinated to let the flavours soak and the sauce was thick, rich and tangy.

Sian’s starter was the Cod Beran (£5.50), small parcels of cod in a crisp spicy coating. The fish was melt-in-the-mouth and these parcels delivered.

Call me greedy but for mains I had two. I was drawn to the lamb Ingrow Puri (£7.95), a sweet and sour dish cooked with tomato sauce, chilli and a touch of sugar.

It’s very mild and I also craved something spicy. Appreciating my dilemma proprietor Folik Ahmed helpfully directed me to the Pankury Tajeen (£8.95).

Sian rebuked me for doubling up but if I needed to release my belt by an extra couple of notches – or take home a doggie bag – all in the interests of journalistic endeavour then so be it.

The puri was indeed smooth and sweet but curries really have to be spicy, don’t they? Folik’s choice was a cracker. Yes, it was spicy but not overpowering and the flavours danced on the tongue.

What caught me by surprise was my curry fruit fix. The curry was garnished with slices of juicy strawberries and I loved how the flavours combined.

I cleaned my plate on that one (and could have had seconds) but there was some of the puri left. That, and the remains of Sian’s Garlic Chilli Chicken (£8.95), went in my doggie bag.

Chilli chicken is my current favourite from our local takeaway and it’s hot stuff. This one proved too much for Sian’s palate but I can confirm – having reheated it for my tea the following day – that it was spicy and power-packed with garlic.

We accompanied the mains with coconut rice (£2.50), fluffy and delicious, and a cheese and garlic naan (£2.95), which seemed more cheese on toast than naan and wasn’t my taste.

Sadly I had to avoid the desserts, including traditional kulfis, and the array of liqueur coffees but this place comes highly recommended for something a little different at prices that don’t bust the bank.

GRAMEEN SPICE

2 Briestfield Road, Grange Moor, WF4 4DX

Tel: 01924 848464

Website: www.grameen-spice.co.uk

Opening hours: Opening hours: 5.30pm-11pm seven days a week

Children: Welcome

Disabled access: Yes

The bill: £49.80 including drinks

Would you go back? Certainly