Indian Star | Award winning Restaurant and takeaway Moonee Ponds — Restaurant in Melbourne

I have never written a review before even when I was not very happy with service or food in any restaurant . This is the 1st time I am writing a review as I was really disappointed with the service and food from Indian start restaurant

I have noticed many have given a good review. But I think I was very unfortunate not to get a good food and good service.

As soon as I entered the place (the main entrance) it looks like a very run down place you have to ask them if they’re there a sitting area for dine in. ??? Than you go though another entrance and you see a very nicely decorated place neat and tidy with all Indian culture wall hanging. Which is very nice abd welcoming.

We were three of us we arrived at 5-30 Pm. the entire restaurant was empty they squeezed three of us in two people sitting table with additional chair for third person with a candle in the middle with no enough space for all three to dine in. We left at 6-15 pm still the restaurant was only occupied with 6 guest

Once we were on table. We got served water it had a strong odour (kapoor smell). I asked them why it’s has strong smell they said it has kapoor in it. You should ask fist what water you prefer before serving.

We ordered 2 curriers ($22.5 ) mixed plater ($32.5) papadi chat ($15) 3 naans. ($4 )each Worth $105

1st comes our Papadi chat entree there was not enough sauce for Papadi to soak. We just had half soaked papadi in sauce rest half of the Papadi we had them them on its own with not much sauce on them.

Our 2nd entree arrives and I was expecting at least two pieces each assorted chicken /2 lamb chops /Fish/ sheek kebab

We got 2 medium size tandoori chicken , 1 piece of green chicken , 1 lamb chops 1 , tiny basa fish wich was too soggy. 2 Sheek kebab All came on hot sizzling plate looked very tempting when it was being bought . But it did not taste it was done in tandoor oven just tasted like it was microwaved and put it on sizzling plate . none of the meat on the entree tasted good

It was main meal now. Curries are very expensive I had asked them how while ordering how big the quantity was as it was expensive , We got two curries in small soup bowl. I had looked on the pictures on website they showed they served curries in proper Kadai. Was disappointed to see they were served in soup looking bowl. Curries were ok but not great that you would want to go back again

We are not a big on rice eating we did not order rice. They bought a bowl of biryani rice with curries which we had not ordered. Asked them if it was commentary ? As we had not ordered.

The girl said I will ask and get back to us. She did not come for 10 mins. I had to ask the other staff who took our order and took our bill payment to see if they could take the rice back. He took it back as It wasn’t complementary. They had served rice accidentally to us.

The naans we ordered were very dry they also did not look like they been also done in tandoor.

While we were dining 3 staff asked us how was dinner we politely said yes it was good. But you would be wondering why I am writing review now.

We had finished dinner was time to pay bill they charged me $137. I was so frustrated with food and the service I just wanted to get out of the venue so paid the bill and went out but my other family member said stop why did they change us $137 ?

it should have be $105 so go back in and was looking at menu. There comes the manager sorry I have changed you more I was about to come out and call you and give you refund. And asked apologies abd returned my excess money charged

Please consider this is not my complaint but my experience with Indian start restaurant. If you asked me if I would go again I would never. I have noticed the staff...

I regret to say that my recent experience at the Indian Star restaurant was extremely disappointing. The visit started on a sour note with unprofessional service that left a lot to be desired. The attendant, who appeared to be one of the main staff members, seemed disinterested and inattentive, leaving us to struggle with our order decisions. We had to request him to wait as he attempted to leave midway through our order, despite the lack of other customers in the restaurant.

While the interior decor exuded a traditional Indian charm, the poorly maintained washrooms and untidy facilities left a lot to be desired. The absence of basic amenities such as hand dryers or tissues was a stark reminder of the neglect apparent in the restaurant's upkeep.

Moving on to the food, our hopes for a satisfying meal were quickly shattered. We ordered a variety of dishes including Chicken Biriyani, Garlic Naan, Grill Fish, Saffron Rice, and Kadai Paneer, but unfortunately, none of them met our expectations. The Chicken Biriyani lacked any discernible flavor, leaving the rice and masala devoid of any essence or character. The Naan was subpar, lacking the softness and flavor that characterizes authentic Indian cuisine. The Grill Fish and Saffron Rice were equally disappointing, with the former being below average and the latter lacking the distinctive aroma and taste associated with saffron-infused dishes. Moreover, despite the promise of serving two people, the portion size was significantly inadequate.

Adding insult to injury, the excessive use of food coloring, as evident in the dishes, raised concerns about the restaurant's culinary standards. Even the simplest request for tissues was met with indifference, with the server carelessly placing some on the table without any regard for our dining experience. It was an unfortunate reminder that customer satisfaction was not a priority during our visit.

Having chosen this restaurant based on its seemingly positive Google rating, I must express my profound dissatisfaction with the overall experience. If I could, I would rate this establishment zero stars without hesitation. My advice to friends and fellow diners is to exercise caution before considering a visit. I am left uncertain about the consistency of service, as our experience suggested a possible bias towards customers who might fit a certain demographic or dress code. It pains me to have to convey such a disheartening experience, but it is crucial for others to be aware and informed before making their...

I'm truly disappointed with my recent dining experience at this restaurant, especially under the management of Shanu. From the moment we walked in, it was evident that something was amiss. The ambiance lacked warmth, and the service was indifferent at best.

Upon tasting the food, it became clear that the problems extended far beyond just the atmosphere. The dishes were subpar, lacking the authentic flavors and textures one would expect from a reputable Indian restaurant. To make matters worse, when we voiced our concerns to Shanu, their response was dismissive and even sarcastic. Instead of addressing our legitimate grievances, they made flippant remarks like "you should be our chef," which only served to exacerbate our frustration.

The most egregious aspect of the experience was the quality of the food itself. Nothing seemed freshly prepared; instead, everything appeared to have been hastily reheated in a microwave. Even the supposed tandoori dishes lacked the characteristic flavor and tenderness that comes from proper baking in a traditional tandoor oven.

What truly baffled me was Shanu's attempt to justify the lackluster food by claiming that it was representative of a specific region in India. While regional variations in cuisine are indeed a reality, it's evident that the poor quality and lack of authenticity of Gobi Tandoori were not a deliberate culinary choice but rather a result of negligence and disregard for customer satisfaction.

Overall, my experience at this restaurant under Shanu's management was deeply disappointing. As a lover of Indian cuisine, I had hoped to enjoy a memorable dining experience, but instead, I left feeling let down and dissatisfied. I would caution anyone considering dining at Indian star under Shanu's management to manage their expectations accordingly or seek out alternative establishments that prioritize quality and...