Jewel in the Crown: 145 Crown Street, Aberdeen

WHEN we lived in the city centre, Jewel in the Crown was only a stone’s throw from our flat so it became our default takeaway.

But 12 months on, we’ve become country bumpkins so our visits have become few and far between.

But it doesn’t take much persuading for us to go back – even if it does involve a 14-mile round trip.

To start we went for old-faithful onion bhajis (£3.25) and a new dish to us – murg chat (£4.95).

The bhajis were as you’d expect but the murg chat – chunks of chicken in a hot and sour sauce – was a revelation.

With just the right chilli heat, it was perfect to get the taste buds primed for the mains.

I went for lamb balti gosht (£9.55) which was notable for the sheer quantity of lamb.

In an age where I sometimes feel short-changed by the meat-to-sauce ratio, this was perfect, though I’d have liked more chilli heat.

But my wife’s chicken lajawab (£10.95) with garlic cloves and aromatic spices really packed a punch thanks to hefty addition of chilli paste.

Along with pilau rice and a garlic naan, our bill came to £31.50 – pricey but worth it.