Off the sauce

There are pros and cons to marathon training. While you tend to get a bit less flabby and feel a marvellous sense of achievement each time you run further than ever before, it tends to entail steering clear of anything that's bad for you.

With the exception of an Easter indulgence (or two), I've been booze-free for nearly four weeks now, despite the best efforts of some to break down my steely resolve. Sitting around at home isn't too bad - just a bit of wine envy watching Monsieur Gourmand tuck into a nice glass of grenache - it's going out that's the killer.

I've found the best solution is to stick to ethnic food, which doesn't really go well with wine anyway. So, fancying an Indian feast one night, we headed to Sultan which we had previously found to be very mediocre.

Seated by the window on faux-wood chairs, sipping our welcome "cocktails" (non-alcoholic, hurrah), Monsieur Gourmand and I decided to avoid curries as we recalled the disappointingly bland saag I had on our last visit.

Instead we chose tangy, tender tandoori chicken and lamb, which arrived still sizzling, and some vegetable sides. Monsieur Gourmand defeated the object of eating vegetables entirely by having them swathed in coconut, pistachio and crème fraîche Korma sauce, while I had Bartha, which are tandoori-grilled aubergines liquidized with green peppers and coriander.

A poppadum here, a bit of naan there and soon enough we were stuffed, pleased to have discovered what Sultan does best. With only green tea to drink, however, now I'm not so sure about my ethnic food and wine theory. 

Sultan, rue de Rive 22,1260 Nyon
+41 (0)22 362 3862; http://www.sultanindian.ch/