STEPHEN DAVY-OSBORNE braves a night out with his mother, some chutney and a dado rail

The last time my mother came to visit and I took her out for dinner to an Indian restaurant the evening almost ended before it had even begun. Let’s just say she had a chutney-related incident with a dado rail and the restaurant’s crisp-white paintwork. So it was with a degree of trepidation that I agreed to take her out for dinner to Rafu’s in Highworth during her latest journey north from the far South-West to Swindon.

I wouldn’t say that her managing to catch the spoon handle with a fully-laden load of chutney on it under the dado rail as she moved the dish to make way for her main course was the deciding factor in me having to leave Aberdeen. But it was definitely ‘one of those’ moments where I wondered how we were ever going to show our faces in town again. I remember desperately trying to stifle my laughter while she frantically tried to wipe the sticky chutney off the wall with her napkin. It was a disaster.

Ten years on (and more than 500 miles away from the scene of the crime) I thought we would see if her table manners had improved.

As it was a bitterly cold Friday night the thought of an indulgent, hot curry and a stone-baked naan were warming me up before we were even welcomed through the door of Rafu’s Highworth restaurant. Based on the High Street, it’s easy to see why this restaurant has proven to be the heart of the community for more than 30 years.

Last year the family-run business was struck by tragedy when proprietor – and the town’s ‘Curry King’ - Rafu Miah died at the age of just 58. In the following days, tributes flooded in from across the town and even further afield – with the family receiving flowers and cards at the restaurant, while their social media channels were overrun with tributes. On the morning of his funeral, crowds lined the High Street, two or three deep in places, to greet the funeral procession as it made its way to the mosque in Swindon.

But Rafu has left behind quite the legacy.

I was concerned, with it being the first night of the weekend, that my lack of planning may see us unable to get a table, and although the restaurant was busy, we were offered a quiet table in a corner, where – to my horror – there was a rustic dado rail running round the perimeter of the room. Reluctantly I agreed to a round of popadoms, mango chutney and delicious onion raita while we perused the menus. Perhaps I should have spent more time worrying about my own chutney, rather than keeping a shifty eye on Mother, as it was me who managed to splatter the table cloth with chutney – and not just the once either. I can’t be taken anywhere, it would seem. We were quickly given a second serving of the onion raita when it became apparent that that was going down well.

We put ourselves in the hands of our waiter who recommended a series of starters for us to try. He came back with a veritable feast of chicken pakora (£4.35), vegetable pakora (£3.85) fantastically crisp onion bhajees (£3.20) and lamb samosas (£3.20).

We’re both a bit whimpy when it comes to curry in that we would probably never venture above two chillis on the heat scale. That’s not to say that we always play it safe and stick with the middle-of-the-road chicken korma. We both enjoy the fantastic flavours that you can only experience with Indian cuisine, but perhaps without so much of a punch that you’re left gasping for air and vowing never to do it again.

With that in mind I opted for the lamb moglai (£7.65) which was deliciously tender and came with a thick, creamy sauce infused with delicate spices, pineapple and lychees. Paired with a side of mushroom rice (£3.70) it was definitely a winner, and a new-found favourite for me.

Mother – on the other hand – out-spiced me and went for the Chicken Mussala (£6.55) which had more of a kick to it, but was absolutely bursting with flavour. Prepared in a thick gravy, the chicken was cooked to perfection. A side of pilau rice (£2.50) and a garlic naan to share meant we were well on our way to being fat and full.

For those feeling a little more adventurous, the menu is jam-packed with mouth-watering (due to the heat!) dishes that are sure to tempt those with sturdier stomachs than either of us. Coming with a ‘hot’ warning is the garlic chilli bhoona (£9.85) or the Mondeeri Chilli (£10.95) both of which can be cooked with either chicken, lamb or prawn.

Rafu may no longer be in the kitchen, but his legacy is definitely living on, ensuring that this restaurant will have a steady stream of loyal customers for years to come at this rate.

Rafu's

20 High Street

Highworth

Swindon

SN6 7AQ

01793 765320

rafus.co.uk

Parking: public car parks nearby

Disabled access: yes

Our ratings:

Food: 9/10

Choice 9/10

Decor 8/10 (just because of the dado rail...)

Customer service: 9/10

TripAdvisor rating: 4.5