Nu Spice: Allardice Street, Stonehaven

I KNOW it’s shallow – quality not quantity and all that – but it pleases me when the bag that holds your take out feels really heavy when you lift it.

So as I lugged it out of Nu Spice, I knew we were in for plenty of eating.

Not surprising, given the meal deal for two, checking in at £24.95, harboured a mix veg combo and chicken tikka to start, plus two main dishes, one portion of Bombay potatoes, one pilau rice, one mushroom rice, one plain nan and a couple of popadoms and dips.

There’s the quantity, then. And the quality?

Well, the mixed pakoras were crisp, grease free and well tasty – especially the mushrooms.

There was enough tikka for a main and it was tender and fiery, although a bit heavy on the salty side.

Mrs B and I were doing sharesies on the mains, splitting an Afghani chana bhuna and our old favourite, chicken dhansak.

The Afghan dish was a spice riot, with plenty of ginger and garlic to give it welly. Best of all was the abundance of chick peas with just the right bite.

The dhansak was punching above its weight on the chilli front (bit ouchy for Mrs B) but I loved it. Sweet, sour and hot.

The tatties were a little lacklustre, but perfect rice dishes compensated.