It's a place that really stands out in the centre of Elland.

First of all it’s in the landmark Elland Town Hall building, it’s big inside and the subtle way it’s lit up both inside and out is really eye-catching.

It’s one of those places that entices you in: it just looks right and without it this part of Elland sure would look drab –certainly if you like plenty of mood lighting – especially if you’re a fan of lilac.

We picked probably the quietest day of the year to go in – Monday, January 5 – and so it was just that, very quiet.

That hadn’t been the case in December with the 120 seats totally sold out for a night when they’d brought in someone a bit different to go with your popadoms and pickle tray – a Michael Jackson tribute act.

And it shows the size of the place as he had plenty of space for a spot of moon-walking.

He wasn’t there on a bleak January Monday though so we had to entertain ourselves with the food. And we did.

But first my wife, Ruth, had done what she always does on nights like this. Forgotten her reading glasses.

We jokingly said to the chatty young waiter every restaurant should have some spare pairs of reading glasses. Within a couple of minutes he returned with some and suddenly the menu loomed somewhat larger for the missus.

And it’s a biggie. There’s masses to choose and this is somewhere that’s different.

First up popadoms and a pickle tray. But no ordinary pickle tray. This had a choice of five from chili to mango chutney and diced onion alongside a gravy jug of raita.

Fish is a mainstay so why not have a dabble with that.

For starters I went for the masala fish (£3.95) while Ruth opted for Kashmiri mandira (£3.25).

The tandoori fish had been marinated and combined with onion, pepper and paprika. Just the right amount of spice to offset the fish’s fragile flavour. Or put it this way, if Harry Ramsden had been Asian this is what he’d have conjured up for tired tastebuds. Something to rejuvenate them. The pickle tray had remained by our sides and came in handy again. Without some more raita the dish could have been a tad dry.

Masala fish starter at Indigo's restaurant in Elland

Ruth’s Kashmiri mandira was chickpea and potato spiced chaat masala served with puree. The puree was fragile, flaky and melt-in-the-mouth while the chickpeas were spot on – not too hard, not too mushy – and the potatoes were perfect. All in plenty of sauce to mop up with the puree. Spot on again.

I’m never too sure why Indian starters come with salad. I can’t think of a time I’ve ever munched my way through one when there’s so many other interesting tastes to target. But this one was different. It had olives. Olives? In an Indian restaurant? Told you they were different.

So on to the mains.

Now one of our vices at home is being somewhat partial to a kebab on an evening in front of the telly so the karahi kebab khyberi (£8.95) caught the eye. It’s chicken tikka, lamb tikka, skewered lamb kebab and king prawn in a spiced onion, tomato and paprika sauce. The waiter advised it was a thick sauce so, being a somewhat saucy fellow, I asked if he could make sure there was plenty of it.

And there was. Certainly robust, perhaps a touch too thick for me but many like it that way. This is a dish for meat lovers with just about every piece of meat or fish having a different taste or texture. Kebabs transformed into a curry. What more could you want?

Ruth’s was mughlai chicken (£7.95) – strips of marinated chicken tandoor, minced lamb and garam masala in a spicy tamil style rustic curry. Again different with plenty of minced lamb giving the chicken a new twist and a myriad of flavour.

Even the rice looked different with its vibrant colours of green and yellow. We had mushroom pilau and keema pilau to keep the rustic feel going.

Some of the other off-beat dishes include kashmiri sabzi (£7.95), mixed vegetables, fresh mango and pineapple in a mild creamy sauce of ground coconut and almonds; dalcha duck (£8.95).

Tandoori-style seared breast of duck simmered in tangy lentil and ground chili Keralan curry and sea bass fillet (£11.95), lightly spiced grilled fillet on a bed of tender leaf spinach, served with Mumbai style potatoes and sweet rice of Punjab.

Service had a relaxed, friendly feel – just how it should be.

We left feeling we’d started the New Year in real curry style.

3-9 Southgate, Town Hall Building, Elland, HX5 OEU

Tel: 01422 377325

Website: www.rtindigo.com

Opening hours: Seven days a week Sunday - Thursday 5.30pm-11pm; Friday and Saturday 5.30pm-12 midnight

Children: Yes – they have high seat chairs

Disabled access: Yes, very good access and disabled toilet

The bill: £42.65

Would you go back? Certainly