THERE is nothing like a curry to help celebrate after your family football team has won a major trophy.

But in this time of coronavirus worries, I was a little apprehensive about venturing out on Saturday evening.

We had gathered at home to watch Arsenal run out the unlikely winners in the FA Cup final against old rivals Chelsea.

After a poor start when Arsenal conceded a goal after just five minutes things just kept on getting better as the Reds ran out 2-1 winners.

And the same could be said of our evening at old favourite One Spice in Devizes. We arrived to a very calm atmosphere with hand sanitiser at the entrance and tables noticeably further apart than usual.

We were shown to a corner table in the window with a side partition so the four of us felt very safe in our own little area.

The menu featured a number of new dishes but first the only way to start any Indian meal – poppadoms (80p each) with lots of spicy dips (80p) – all washed down with a few Cobra beers.

The mood throughout was relaxed but even though this was Devizes and people from separate tables knew each other everyone kept to their own social bubble.

The only downside was that the Gunners' win could not be shared with other fans or used to wind up any from the opposition.

Service was given with a smile with owner Sohidul Hossain keeping a watchful eye on all proceedings from the bar area. I chose a barbecued chicken tikka dish (£8.95) for my main with a cauliflower bhajee (£3. 95) on the side and a pilau rice to share.

My husband went for sahahi nawabi chicken (£9.95) which is grilled chicketn with a ‘secret’ masala sauce.

My son, who had earlier scared the neighbours with his celebration when Arsenal got their second goal, had calmed down enough to order brinjal motra (£7.95), which is aubergine with chickpeas in a sauce with onions, tomato and fresh coriander.

His partner has joupuri chicken (£9.95), which is grilled chicken in a medium spiced sauce.

A mixture of breads and rice to share were added to the order to add even more variety.

The meat in all the dishes were was very tender and the spicing subtle rather than too overpowering.

It was good to be back out enjoying each others company but able to feel safe at the same time.

A curry at One Spice can be relied on to deliver. The same can not always be said for Arsenal but for one evening it all came together and the excellent food rounded off a very good day.

Devizes is lucky to have a number of very good Indian Restaurants both in the town centre and in outlying villages. Among them is the Rain Tree in New Park Street which has been rebranded and has a new chef.

Coronavirus has meant we are yet to try out the menu but reports are good.

Devizes people are starting to venture out again to eat and whihc is a boost for the economy of the whole town.

Traders are doing all they can to get people back shopping and socialising. Devizes Indie Day is on September 5. JOANNE MOORE