The pandemic has robbed us of so many important things, but the small home comforts and little treats have gone too.
Gradually, and with precautions aplenty (including adhering to strict social distancing), some things are making returns, and after weeks of absence many of our restaurants are opening their doors again.
While they are in no position to pull out a chair and invite you to dine with them, they are doing the business with takeaways.
Calcutta Brasserie in Stony Stratford is one of those now offering its marvellous menu that way – and if you don't want to pop along and collect, they'll even drop it straight to your door.
With the pandemic still looming large, smart people among us are right to be concerned about food preparation, and social distancing guidelines. We'll be honest, we are among them.
But those at Calcutta are taking every necessary precaution; food is prepared and cooked by chefs wearing masks and gloves, and front of house staff wear the same attire.
When collecting there are strict social distancing measures in place, and while you can pay by card in the restaurant, you can pay when you call your order through. Smart steps ensuring safety for them, and for you.
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A little over a week ago we dialled for a date with the curry house, and a short time later were fetching a large cardboard box into the house.
To any casual observer it might have looked like a cake box, but the pervading aromatic delight gave the game away – it was a vegetarian feast to make the mouth water.
There is a reason that Calcutta is a restaurant with awards to its name; the food is flavoursome and fabulous, as we found when we opened our tubs to reveal still piping hot dishes to cheer the palate.
We added a few sides to the main event, and trust us, after so long without a decent curry, this was an event!
And so to those plates of plenty...
A Tarka Dal should be a delight, but all too often it fails the taste test. Thankfully, Calcutta's ace chefs know the art, and whip up a smooth, flavoursome blend, which soaks into our basmati rice perfectly.
A classic Bombay Potato should not be half cooked potatoes sitting in a liquid 'soup,' as per our last takeaway (from an establishment elsewhere which will remain nameless), and Calcutta again hits the spot.
The Baingan Bhartha, a smoked aubergine mash with chopped onions, tomatoes and chillies, is just as yummy.
And so to the main courses - we chose a Vegetable Jalfrezi and a Vegetable Karahi; the former was a feast which had been simmered in a spicy sauce, and delivered the appropriate kick we were hoping for, while the Vegetable Karahi, dressed in a masalla sauce, worked nicely alongside.
And let us tell any meat eaters among you who think that veggie only dishes are boring; you couldn't be more wrong!
The flavours, consistency and spices used made for a real fusion of the fantastic.
Portion-wise we were thrilled – the sizes were more than sufficient for two of us, but it could have fed three - not that we would have shared without a fight!
Variety is the spice of life and the Calcutta Brasserie understand that perfectly; they don't just 'do' curry; they know curry.
That will be the reason why we made another visit at the weekend!
> Let Calcutta Brasserie give you a fiery weekend (or week night!). They offer 20% discount on takeaways before 7.30pm and 15% discount after 7.30pm.
> The team is currently offering a free bottle of house wine on delivery order of £60 or more (Sun-Thurs only) Quote offer code WINE60 when ordering.
> Calcutta Brasserie is open daily from 5pm to 10pm. To order call 01908 566577.
For the full menu click here: bit.ly/getcurry
