MINT Indian Restaurant and Takeaway is situated in Poole’s vibrant Ashley Cross Village.

The restaurant, one of two Indian eateries within 200 yards of one another, bills itself as an ‘exciting new Indian contemporary restaurant with a casual atmosphere’.

I’ve no doubt this is the case, but feeling a tad on the lazy side, I opted to have my meal delivered and dine in the salubrious surroundings of my own front room.

After all, it was blowing a gale out there. On a night like this, best stay in and have someone else do the leg work.

Mint’s takeaway menu offers home delivery on orders over £10 and within a five mile radius. They’re also online so computer savvy eaters should be able to download the menu with ease.

Ordering was no problem. The staff member I spoke to, attentive with a good telephone manner, was happy to clarify any enquiry I had.

I ordered a couple of starters for my girlfriend and the lamb tikka madras and southern fries for myself.

The meal arrived within half an hour and the curry dishes – in traditional tin foil containers – were piping hot, in both temperature and fiery chilli burn. Just what the doctor ordered.

My girlfriend’s duck tikka and mixed starter came with separate sauces and were, according to her, really tasty.

My only criticism was the chips came in a bag and had started to lose some of their heat...don’t get me wrong, they were a long way off being cold, but they didn’t have that fresh heat flavour of the rest of the meal.

A small price to pay for being able to dine in my trakkie bottoms though.

All in all, this is a pretty solid Indian takeaway with some chef specials well worth a second look.

My Mint Indian Restaurant bill:

  • Duck Tikka: £3.95
  • Mixed starter: £4.25
  • Lamb Tikka Madras: £7.25
  • Chips: £1.30
  • Chapati: £1.50
  • Total: £18.25