AMERICAN founding father Benjamin Franklin once wrote in a letter that nothing could be said to be certain except for death and taxes.

If Mr Franklin hadn’t been dead for more than 200 years I would have also told him to add the fact that Indian restaurants serve their meat in square-ish chunks as opposed to any other shape as his third constant.

So it was with some consternation that when my main course at Thaal in Brighouse arrived it was in a shape other than that described above. Thank the Lord me and Mr Franklin never crossed paths or I would have been severely embarrassed.

But let’s not skimp on the details and rush to that point.

First up, Thaal is the former Martin’s Nest pub on Bradford Road just out of the town centre.

It’s a eye-catching white building with plenty of parking. So far so good.

Inside you’re welcomed into a bar area and handed a menu and offered a drink while you peruse the menu.

Choices perused, we were escorted to our table towards the back of the restaurant. Thaal is decorated to an extremely high standard with lashings of dark wood, low lighting and heavy paint giving an impression of class and sophistication.

It’s less a curry house and more a proper restaurant if you know what I mean.

The polite and efficient waiter took our order from an extensive menu which includes many old favourites as well as a few creations of the chef.

We started off with poppadoms and a pickle tray. It was £4.30 for the tray and three ’doms. They were crisp so passed muster. The pickle tray contained the regulars and was fresh, sweet and spicy in that order.

Unsure as to what to choose for starter we decided on the Mixed option (£7.95).

On artfully decorated plates we were delivered, by a different but equally polite and efficient waiter, a combination of chicken pakora, chicken tikka, shami kebab and seekh kebab.

Huge portions? No. Decent sized and tasty? Yes.

The different meats all did what they should. The tikka was flavoursome and moist, the pakora was crispy and delivered a tangy hit while the shami and seekh kebabs brought a meatier bite to proceedings.

Plates swiftly cleared we watched in childlike wonderment as another table were served a curry which was set on fire, ala Christmas pudding, to oohs and aahs from other diners.

Our main course arrived. I’d gone for Chicken Achar (£8.95) and my companion went for Deshi Garlic Chicken (£7.95).

The portions were plentiful – but the meat was cut into long thin strips. I’m not keen to be honest – it reminds me of Oriental food not Indian cuisine.

It didn’t affect the taste. My Achar felt OK in the mouth – but didn’t tick the box marked rich. It was supposed to have a lime and chilli tang, and to be honest, was left wanting on these. It was pleasant but no more.

My colleague enjoyed her meal – plenty of garlic but a very similar sauce meant that she thought it good rather than great.

We decided to share a rice and naan bread between us. After unsuccessfully trying to order garlic pilau we selected normal. I can report it was pilau rice (£2.10) and it was hot. And ricey.

Our garlic naan (£2.50) looked great – but was a bit small. It was bigger than a saucer but smaller than a dinner plate. Have a look in your cupboards and decide for yourself whether you think that’s big enough.

Drinks wise they have lager on tap and the Becks was described by my thirsty dining companion as “fantastic” as it was teeth-chillingly cold.

When it came to paying I wanted to use debit card so I had to go up to the reception area and key my number into the terminal there. I’d have preferred to have done it at the table.

Thaal’s decor and layout means it has a great ambience.

Does it offer amazing value for money? No. Does it offer good cooking and a high calibre environment to enjoy your food in? It’s a yes.

Thaal

219 Bradford Road, Brighouse, HD6 4AS

Tel 01484 723321

Website www.thaalbrighouse.co.uk

Opening hours Mon - Sat 5pm - 11pm, Sunday 3pm - 10pm

Children Yes

Disabled access Free parking and full access

The bill£41.65 including drinks

Would you go back? Possibly