Curry houses have had to raise their game in the last few years. Serving the same rogan josh, biryani and korma as the place around the corner is no longer good enough.

So while my local, Deedar, has been providing the same enthusiastic greeting and service for at least the 15 years I’ve been going there, imaginative choices are on offer alongside the old favourites.

In 2008 – the last time the Times reviewed Deedar – one of the dishes chosen was the murgh massalla, a personal favourite of mine consisting of a chicken leg and breast, and boiled egg in a rich, red sauce.

A few months ago the menu was changed and this introduced me to a new dish: king prawn bahar (£10.50).

The chunky prawns are complemented by a green pepper, garlic and coriander sauce which is flavoursome rather than hot.

In fact, it is proving so popular that I have friends who drive the round trip from near Bath to pick it up as a takeaway – 28 miles. I started with prawn puri (£3.40), a tangy dish which never disappoints, while Jancis chose the mixed starter (£4.50) of lamb and chicken with a salad.

My main was the king prawn bahar while, for a change, Jancis chose king prawns in the sweet and sour, lentil-based dansak sauce (£9.85 with king prawns or £6.95 with lamb or chicken tikka), which was just on the right side of hot for her.

Side dishes were cauliflower bhaji, the cauli still with a nice bit of bite, but not underdone, and the lentil and Indian cheese standby of matar paneer.

I loved the crispy garlic naan bread (£2.10) served almost too hot to touch, while Jancis chose garlic rice (£2.95).

Every Wednesday and Thursday night you can get that array, plus a poppadom each with pickles including a smoky chilli version which has to be treated with care, for £10 a head (there is a supplement for king prawn dishes).

With a bottle of the great value house French red wine and sparkling water our total bill was £36.95.

Deedar has a cafe feel and meets the food standard of plusher restaurants around which means it should be on to a winner for a good many years to come.

*Disabled access.
* Will prepare dishes not on the menu.
* Free delivery service on orders of £12.50.