I love a good Ruby Murray (curry) but until the other week I’d never had a ruby naan.

Whenever I go to an Indian restaurant I’m always on the look out for something different and I found it in the humble naan.

Plain naan simply doesn’t cut it. Garlic, of course, is a classic, cheesy naan just doesn’t seem right and my favourite, before a visit to the Palace Tandoori at Denby Dale, was mango naan.

Yes, a sticky naan bread smothered in mango chutney. That for me was the ultimate, the tangy sweetness complimenting the spicyness of the curry.

But there was something strange lurking on the Palace menu, a ruby naan.

There was puzzlement on our table. Sian and I were dining with ‘curry gurus’ Kath and Simon who call this place their ‘local’. And they were non-plussed.

“Haven’t seen that before,” remarked Kath. It must have been there, she just wasn’t looking hard enough.

Yours truly had his eyes open and the ruby naan it was. So what is this gem of a delicacy?

It’s a naan made with coconut, sultanas and green chillies. It’s a knock-your-socks-off sweet serving with subtle chilly kick.

Strangely, it was me who seemed to devour most of this rare naan. Simon agreed it was a revelation but wasn’t given much opportunity to indulge. Sorry about that, Simon.

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The Palace is Kath and Simon’s favourite haunt, though they seem to have a few.

They’ve been going for years and are impressed by the latest renovations and extension work which have given a once cramped restaurant and more spacious, modern and stylish look.

It’s on a main road in Denby Dale and, unbelievably on this Friday night, Simon – our designated driver – found a parking spot right outside the door.

No, it wasn’t special treatment. Examiner reviewers always turn up incognito.

There’s plenty of choice on the menu and the guys behind the Palace clearly know what they’re doing, and they also have a sense of humour.

There’s a section called Palace Jewels which features a Ruby Murray (chicken), Bling Bling (king prawns for footballers’ wives only) and Nuts for Nutters, a hot madras with almonds and pistachios. My kinda place this.

Kath recommended the fish tikka (£3.50) as a starter and Sian bagged that. The fish was beautifully-cooked and got a big tikka from Sian.

Sian's fish tikka starter at the Palace Tandoori at Denby Dale.

I went for a bright red king prawn tikka (£3.25), a generous portion of plump prawns in a spicy coating. Nice.

Simon’s chicken puree (£3.50) was spicy and hot and served on a light, crispy pancake while Kath had garlic mushrooms which she described as “an array of delightful little packages which melt in the mouth.” Is she after my job?

Garlic-lover Sian had the garlic chilli chicken with coriander and green chillies (£7.25) which she loved but was somewhat overpowered by the extra chillies and had to leave some.

It was spicy ginger chicken (£7.25) for me. I am a sucker for ginger and this had proper chunks of biting ginger. Mopped up with the ruby naan it was perfect.

Kath is as slim as they come but she was eating for three (wait for it!) and ordered chicken tandoori (£7.80).

A half chicken, it was presented on a sizzling iron plate with delicious sweet caramelised onions and salad.

“A velociraptor and his off-spring would be proud of this portion,” said Kath. “A steal at £7.80!”

Kath knew what she was doing, though. She was barely a quarter of the way through this mammoth dish when she cried enough – and asked the obliging staff for a ‘doggy bag’ for her two canines back home.

Kath's mammoth sizzling chicken tandoori at the Palace Tandoori in Denby Dale.

Simon ordered the chicken paneer with pilau rice (£7.25). It was medium spiced and sprinkled with mozzarella.

The rice comes in a rainbow of colours and is a tasty meal in itself. “Totally moreish,” said Simon.

The Palace is ‘bring your own’ for alcohol just the way I like it and plenty were making the most of that, ensuring a lively atmosphere.

All in all a super night in a restaurant which gets a big tick in every box.

And to save you having to Google it or dust off your Encyclopaedia Britannica a velociraptor was a two-legged, bird-like dinosaur.

Thanks, Kath. Don’t give up the day job.

321 Wakefield Road, Denby Dale, HD8 8RX

Tel: 01484 861919

Website: No

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6pm-11pm and Sun 6pm-10pm

Children: Welcome

Disabled access: Yes

The bill: £50.10 for four, not including drinks

Would you go back? Definitely