This relatively small Brighouse restaurant has become an intermitent early Sunday evening haunt for my wife and I, and our friends for some time.

A perfect wind-down to the weekend before work begins again. The time we choose to dine is calculated to dodge the busy periods, so often there are only a few covers taken.

Normally the establishment is a hub of noise and exotic smells as aromatic herbs and spices are expertly married by owner Arzu Miah and his two brothers-in-law, head chef Gulam Kidria Monjir and Nozrul Islam. On this occasion it was just how we wanted it. Quiet.

The Bengal Brasserie has undergone a huge facelift over the past 18 months. Tired decor has been replaced by a light and airy feel, claustrophobic booths now give way to an open plan look, which is more welcoming and gives a feeling of greater space.

And, more importantly, you can see what everyone else is eating.
What had particularly attracted us on this Sunday was a revamped specials menu that now includes a whole new world of Bangladeshi-inspired dishes.

The problem is we never get the balance right. Or, in other words, we are serial over-orderers. Not because we are greedy. But because we never just get it right.

And, in this day and age, there is nothing worse than seeing platefuls of wasted food.

The portions are not overfacing. They are no bigger or smaller than other restaurants. It's just that we're always tempted by an extra peshwari or garlic naan and a side order of okra or the like.

This occasion followed much the same format as before. A pint of Kingfisher lager for the boys, halves for the girls and poppadums with a pickle tray.

I ordered a sheek kebab, my wife preferring onion bhajis. Our friends shared a colourful Bengal Brasserie special starter with – sheek kebab, tandoori chicken, lamb and chicken tikka and onion bhajis. Each came with crisp salad leaves and a refreshing yoghurt sauce.

The specials list offered up new treats and, having wrestled with my thoughts, I plumped for the the chicken achari.

It was a good choice. The chicken was tender. The sauce was beautifully flavoured and it packed a punch. Or at least it did for me. Truth is, I cannot handle hot curries like I could when I was younger. But this was just about right.

For once we were sensible and shared around the pilau rice and naans. The testimony to the meal was a rare empty plate. Our friends enjoyed their king prawn achari and adrak balti chicken.

My wife stuck with an old favourite, chicken tikka masala, and loved it. All in all, a first-rate meal that didn't go anywhere near to breaking the bank at around £17 each. And that, of course, involved another round or two of drinks. At least.

Fact file
Name: Bengal Brasserie.

Address: 6, Huddersfield Road, Brighouse.

Telephone: 01484 719818

Ratings:
Food: ****
Atmosphere: ***
Service: ****
Value: *****