I'd never been for a takeaway curry at four o'clock in the afternoon before, but I'd had a particularly hard day at work and cooking was out of the question.

At times like this I usually end up in the chip shop, but a change is as good as a rest as they say, and so I headed for the Star Of Asia.

It's a place that has everything I look for in a takeaway.

It's clean and tidy, the kitchen is in full view of customers, the staff are friendly and fast, the menu has a huge variety of spicy treats ... and above the counter there's a 3-D moving picture of hot-air balloons floating past the Eiffel Tower!

Staring at the latter kept me occupied while I waited for my chicken makhany, pilau rice and garlic naan (total £5).

It wasn't a long wait, though, and I was soon tucking in.

The makhany was from the chef's recommendations' section of the menu always a good place to start, and the chef told me it would be "a bit like a korma".

To my untutored palate it was exactly like korma an especially good one, with succulent meat and a creamy sauce. The rice was light and soft.

My only slight criticism would be that the naan wasn't overly garlicky. but that shouldn't detract from what was a fine takeaway.

TASTE 8 TEMPERATURE 8 SPEED 8 VALUE 8 CHOICE 8 Star Of Bengal is on Accrington Road in Burnley.