Newly single Gary Mitchell needs cheering up. A nice Leicester restaurant – that should do it. Shouldn't it?

So, this is my life as a newly single man – dining out alone on a Friday night in the centre of Leicester. I suppose I could justify it by saying it was in the line of duty. My boss wanted a review of Goan restaurant Anjuna and this page won't fill itself.

Food critics eat alone all the time, don't they?

Not me. The truth is I couldn't get a soul to come out with me, but I'd left it a little late.

I could only do Friday and the friend I was counting on dropped out in the afternoon.

I tried rallying the troops at work, but everyone had plans.

Trying not to sound desperate as the clock ticked, I asked a couple of people I know in Leicester. No joy.

I knew it was time to accept my wretched fate as a lone diner, but I felt more nervous on my way to the restaurant, near Highcross, than I would've done if I was going on a date, and I haven't had to go on a date in five years.

Luckily, I remembered to bring a newspaper so I could coolly leaf through it between courses.

I was rather pleased to find myself alone, not just at my table, but in the restaurant – apart from a polite and capable waiter.

He treated my predicament like it was the most normal thing in the world. He ran through his script about the restaurant, gave me a page-by-page rundown of the extensive menu, told me the place had been open for about seven months and that it has "busy days and quiet days".

I kicked off with a necessary pint of lager and a couple of vegetable samosas, which in all honesty were the best I've had in years.

They came with a simple salad and a gorgeous onion-y pickle I couldn't get enough of.

I polished off the plate.

The restaurant is not massive, with perhaps 20 covers, but they've got the look just right – stylish, bright and comfortable. The tables are set immaculately and the cutlery is polished. The music sounds like The Beach.

For my main course, I couldn't resist the call of the "mixed meat sizzler" – a massive platter of boneless chicken tikka, sheek kebabs, lamb tikka and chicken wings. I needn't have bothered with the pilau rice, but it was fine.

Just after my platter arrived, a young, pretty couple arrived too and, despite an otherwise empty restaurant, the waiter decided to sit them just to my right.

Twist the knife while it's in there, why don't you.

Anyway, the meat was delicious – cooked perfectly, smothered in an excellent, spicy marinade, but not raging with chilli heat. I'd order it again.

Just as I was thinking about leaving – within an hour of my arrival – a large group arrived. After two pints, it seemed almost poetic – the party, the couple, me. So I thought: Sod it. Enjoy it. The Mercury is paying. You're 28. Have another.

The bill came to £30 on account of the three drinks – a pint of Cobra costs £4 – but for the food it was a fair deal.

Paying up, my phone rattled with a text. It was one of the friends I'd asked out earlier, replying at last. "Yes mate, definitely up for a curry. Where?"

INFO

Anjuna, Highcross Street, Leicester

Phone: 0116 251 2229