A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Photo link: http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/Textklick/Qype%20pix/8b2e6fbd.jpg
Despite an appreciation of 'grande cuisine', there are those evenings when one simply cannot be bothered to venture out (or cook in). 'Ethnic takeaway' restaurants that also deliver abound throughout our neighbourhood, but often have a boring habit of changing hands or disappearing into some vast, hungry and gaping chasm. La contessa does not always appreciate my predilection in this regard (döner kebabs being a particular bone of contention), but is generally prepared to gracefully indulge my whims. The 2010 winter had not been kind to us. The more so for those of us who live in 'low maintenance category roads', which classification our pleasant little cul-de-sac seems to fulfil with resounding success. Thus it was on Xmas Eve that we were not confronted with snow that was pleasantly 'deep and crisp even', but rather with vicious and extremely dangerous ice, both on the road and the pavement. A gentle hike just to the local hostelry would have been somewhat like negotiating the Hörnli Ridge on the Matterhorn, doubtless requiring torchlit helmets, ropes, ice axes, crampons and ice screws, together with being prepared to descend to the equivalent of the Berghaus Fluh on the Italian flank of Monte Cervino if all else failed (Evening Mr Brown, may we bivouac in your garden shed?).
Photo link: http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/Textklick/Qype%20pix/4538661f.jpg
Advertising literature from establishments of the aforementioned category is often delivered to a greater extent than seasonal greeting cards. Having sifted through some of these, I discarded a few 'service providers' that I knew to have either disappeared, as well as those that had disappointed on previous occasions. Confined to our igloo like a brace of Esquimaux, the idea of a nice hot curry was highly appealing, so I resorted to telephonic consultation for the first time with Curry Zest. Having assiduously and politely noted our requirements and key information such as full name, address, postcode and GPS coordinates (for the benefit of rescue helicopters?) they promised to deliver (in about 40 minutes). I had not long inserted the plates into our supercharged oven for warming when the promised delivery arrived, slightly ahead of time. Welcoming the delivery gentleman I also congratulated him for having negotiated our front path without having coming to grief. The food was in cardboard containers carried in a festively red warming bag. Here, the difference to all that I had experienced before crossed my mind when I noticed that each container bore a computer-printed label to indicate its contents. This is not an unimportant aspect, particularly with a larger order (Who ordered what and which one is it?). I shall not bore you with the details of what we enjoyed (click 'Download menu' on the website), other than to say that it was piping hot and extremely tasty (criteria which are by no means always the case with such caterers, and the latter of which has on occasion been the cause of detailed domestic discussion). One important consideration is indeed the fact that Curry Zest was awarded 5 stars for environmental health by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk . For their bravery in battling the elements, for their promptness and for the quality of their food, I have no hesitation in awarding Curry Zest 5 stars and shall most definitely use them again; irrespective of the weather! (Updated Jan 2012. Have used several times since to order food for two and quite a few more. Still excellent) read more
