Jewel in the Crown: Crown Street, Aberdeen

FIVE minutes after venturing into the icy cold, our insides were in need of a good thawing.

What better to burn away the winter chill than a nice bit of chilli?

I wouldn’t have needed much persuasion to pop into the Jewel in the Crown anyway, but the smells wafting from the open door sealed the deal.

My rogan gosht (£7.50) was stunning, with the deep kick tempered wonderfully by the yoghurt.

The knife went through the tender lamb chunks like butter and, after a few mouthfuls, the cardamom and ginger really started coming through.

My fiancee’s garlic murg (£7.95) looked and tasted equally fresh – the rich red sauce had a garlic kick that was pungent without ruining the other, more delicate flavours infused in the chicken.

Mopped up with some subtly flavoured pilau rice (£2.45) and a fluffy peshwari naan (£2.95), the Jewel in the Crown can fairly whip up a meal fit for royalty.