There are certain food and drink pairings that work: beef and red wine, seafood and white wine, curry and beer... Well, recently I was invited to a curry and whisky pairing menu tasting at Moti Mahal, an Indian restaurant in Covent Garden. I was sceptical. But guess what? Whisky and Indian food gets a huge thumbs up from me.

And not only am I a convert to the combination of Indian food and whisky, I am also a convert to Moti Mahal. There was visually sensational food coming out of that kitchen all the time! Moti Mahal is just near Drury Lane and would make a great pre- or post-theatre dinner venue. But I think I'll be considering it a fabulous venue for an entire evening out - this is food to truly relish and it has to be one of the best Indian restaurants in London. Here's a sentence or so on each of the five courses I ate, to whet your appetite...

COURSE ONE: Truffle and cheddar naan with gold leaf (which glistens!). Served with a refreshing whisky sour.

COURSE TWO: Venison tikka with grape chutney and mint paratha - the paratha was the star here: it was fabulously flaky. Served with a whisky and orange cocktail with cherry brandy and mint.

COURSE THREE: south Indian-style kingfish stew. Aw, this was good. It was so light. Served with my favourite whisky cocktail of the night, a Sweet Valley Highball with elderflower and vermouth that was beautifully cooling.

COURSE FOUR: Morel biriyani with pomegranate and date raita - another wow of a dish; the raita was divine. Served with a New Yorker. I think this was my favourite pairing: perfect.

COURSE FIVE: Kulfi and cardomom 'n' saffron bread pudding - I won't forget this dessert and I think I will have to go back and have it again. It was bliss. And it was served with a single shot of beautiful malt whisky and an atomiser of 10-year-old Laphroaig whisky to add to the dessert, just in case you hadn't had quite enough whisky with your meal!

There are special offers available on Moti Mahal menus, including the Jaipur menu at £25 for three courses and a cocktail (available until 30 April).

WHISKY RECIPES

INDIAN RECIPES