IT has been serving curries to the people of Culcheth for the past 15 years.

And now, visitors to The Raj have a new premises to enjoy as well as the tasty, homecooked food.

Opened in the centre of the village, the new building has taken The Raj to a new audience.

And what a treat they have in store.

Slick decor, a choice of booths or table as well as an upmarket bar area – it would not look out of place in a city centre.

But while the surroundings may be different from the previous home round the corner, the food remains outstanding.

The renowned chef includes The Queen among those who have tried his food.

And you will feel like a king for a day if you dine here.

We went on a Thursday night during the World Cup, and you know somewhere must be good when there is still a healthy number of diners then.

We started with the obligatory poppadoms which came with excellent tangy chutneys.

And my starter was top notch too. An unusal Machli Baji, a Bangladeshi fish dish where the flesh melted in your mouth, and retained a spicy flavour.

My main was another dish I had not tried before, the gloriously named Akbari Chum Chum.

Chicken base, the sauce include lamb mince and was rich in flavour and dense in taste. It felt like a luxurious treat.

My girlfriend loved her dhansak, a smooth, creamy delight – proving they could do the more traditional just as well.

We had a tasty cheese naan, not a staple on too many Indian menus, and some fluffy rice to go with it.

The Raj was a real treat, and one we will be looking forward to returning to.

GARETH DUNNING