IT was a Sunday when history was made.

Against the backdrop of roars from raucous crowds in venues across Sau Paulo, Team GB claimed a stunning haul of five gold medals with victories in tennis, gymnastics, golf and cycling.

Events on the day propelled our nation’s heroes up the Olympic table towards what eventually would be second place and the best haul of medals in a century.

Back in Blighty, history was also being made, albeit on a slightly less significant front.

Music chirping from a set of classic 1990s Akai "stereo system" speakers cut through what was an otherwise pretty quiet dining area at the Taste of India restaurant in Duke Street, Askam.

We had prepared ourselves for it being less than busy after making a reservation - and not being asked for our name or contact details.

It had been at least four years since an Evening Mail food reviewer had stepped foot through the popular curry house. It was time we reacquainted ourselves, we had resolved, during an office catch-up about upcoming venues.

We drove past our usual walking-distance Ulverston haunts en-route to Askam, declaring the Taste of India "had better be worth the journey."

We were seated in a corner and within minutes, an obligatory pint of Indian lager had been served to our table along with a soft drink for Mrs H.

Across from us was a larger party who were on first-name terms with staff; it was that sort of place, we quickly realised, as a stream of locals complimented the sit-in trade by dropping in for take-outs.

When it comes to curry houses Mrs H and I are a tough gig. For years, I combed Rusholme’s curry mile in Manchester with friends and family, eating in dozens of different Indians and sampling an almost infinite number of different dishes. As a result, I know I good curry house when I stumble upon one. So too, do I know a bad one.

Mrs H, while less well travelled in her curry journey, must be, without fail, Cumbria’s preeminent expert on the subject of chicken tikka saags. She eats them everywhere we go, her logic: “I know I like them.”

But on this balmy summer evening while thousands of miles away history was being written, my wife sent shockwaves through our evening, by declaring: “I think I might try something different.” And so she ordered a chicken tikka bhuna.

Shaken by events, it was some time before I managed to collect my thoughts, eventually completing the order with a chicken tikka special, pilau rice and peshwari naan. We had ordered starters of chicken tandoori and chicken tikka chaat – along with poppadoms and chutney tray.

The essence of a good Indian, aside from actual food, of course, is timing. I expect my poppadoms immediately, followed eight to 12 minutes later by my starter. I take my main course 10 to 15 minutes after my starter.

Taste of India staff had their timing spot on. The tandoori chicken was served on the bone and was up there with the best I have ever tasted.

It was cooked perfectly, with just enough crunch, while the explosion of flavours was out of this world. Etiquette went out of the window as Neanderthal man took over, picking on the bone of this tasty feast until it was bare.

The chaat was good too, although it lacked a little of the spicy punch and citrus zest one would usually associate with such a dish.

Next and we sailed into unchartered territory. My chicken tikka special arrived sizzling in an iron griddle, while the bhuna came in a metal dish.

Mrs H and I exchanged a look of anticipation across the table. Then we tucked in.

It is rare I am able to finish a curry; my eyes are always too big for my belly when it comes to ordering, but on this occasion, I soldiered on to the final piece of chicken. It was, without fail, in the top five per cent of main courses I had ever experienced. Move aside Manchester’s Curry Mile – we have Askam’s Curry 10 Metres.

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The tikka special had just the right amount of heat, and every mouthful led to an explosion of the senses.

There was depth, brought about by a complex mix of spices, underpinned with a dose of garlic and complimented by chunky onions.

The bhuna came with a dry medium spiced sauce and, while not quite hitting the highs of the tikka saag in Mrs H world, was given a solid seven out of 10 for flavour and portion size.

The bill, which included aforementioned drinks – plus an extra pint for me and soft drink for my wife, came in at an impressive £45 – not a whole lot more than we pay for a takeaway sometimes.

We imagined a dining room thronging with customers on a Friday or Saturday night. The more laidback nature of our Sunday evening had suited us well, though on the basis of our evening, I bestowed the greatest compliment upon the Taste of India.

“I reckon I’d bring the whole Higgins family here,” I said to Mrs H as we left. Ma Higgins, Pa Higgins…the whole crew.

That would fill the place out – and based on our experience, they’d be a happy crowd come the end of the evening.

Value - 4

Atmosphere - 3

Food - 5

Service - 4

Pros

Super-tasty food

Good value

Efficient staff

Cons

Dining area a little dated

Parking may be problem at busy times