Imperial Spice — Restaurant in New South Wales

Came in on Xmas eve, walked past earlier in the day and the aroma and atmosphere drew us in. Unfortunately this was the best experience Imperial Spice was going to be. We arrived, offered to sit where we like and the place wasn't overly busy. Did take a while to usher someone up to take our orders, in full for drinks, entrees and mains. Then the waiting really begins, time ticks by for entrees and watching plastic bags of containers leaving the kitchen and out the door. Eventually in approx 40 minutes after our arrival entrees land on the table, delicious enough and got through these and ready for the main course.

Time ticks by some more, about 20 minutes later our waitress asks if we were ready for our mains. Curious questioning as we were all sitting with empty plates for some time, "yes" is the answer "and past ready." Watching other tables receiving food and more plastic bags walking out the door, we had been sitting in the restaurant for over an hour and a half and no sign of our mains. To put into time perspective, nearly an hour since entrees were finished with nothing. We had enough and with no food, requested to pay for what we have had and we'd leave. Upon this request a lady came from the kitchen to tell us that our mains were ready, which was rather coincendental. We wanted to go, on the provision that the food was ready, "pack it up and we'll take it", two minute I was informed this will happen. 15-20 minutes pass by again and tired of the false promises. Up to the counter to check on the food, a plastic bag arrives with containers which appeard to be our dinner. I was then informed by a staff member that checking contentsof the order is not allowed until payment is made, restaurant policy. Paid the bill, took the food and went home.

Insult to injury is that they didn't supply simply the whole order, cost more than it should've. The argument that day was done.

What I have read in past reviews which is aligned with our experience, is that there is a staffing issue as an excuse when there are delays, zero ownership that the service was simply terrible. Allegedly, there was a problem with someone in the kitchen. But the bags of food kept coming,...

I'm only commenting on today's visit, so it may not be indicative of others experience. We ordered Beef Vindaloo and Butter Chicken lunch special dine in. The price was amazing. No fault there. However, I think our order got lost as others were coming in after us and were eating before us. I noticed the head waiter seeing we hadn't eaten, and he muttered words to a team member. Not long after we were served, but not together. The Beef arrived first then 2 - 3 minutes later the Chicken arrived. We asked for medium heat on the Vindaloo (usually I go hot but my old guts can't cope anymore lol) and it was hot, with 3 slices of chili still in the sauce. The beef was probably less tender than I'd hoped for and the sauce was very salty. Usually Tamarind is added to give a sour note but it was missing. The butter chicken was ordered mild to low heat (surprised that was an option on this usually low to no heat classic) but it arrived hot. To her credit, my beautiful partner pushed through to finish. The music wasn't really suited to the restaurant, but that's not reflected in my rating. Oh, the head waiter had horrid salt stains on his shirt under the armpits. Not a good look when all the team wear black.

We will happily go again and see how they do. The menu is vast, so lots to...

We were there for our Valentine's Day. We tried Chowmein. It was not how chowmein we had been eating and tried in different restaurants. It didnt look like freshly made as it was cold by the time it was served to us. The non veg platter was amazing no doubt. I loved that. Service needs to be improved as all staff were running here and there and they were giving the wrong food to the wrong table. The air-conditioning was not working, we were sweating, and we had to eat our food in the hot environment. Then we made a request to cancel our main dish as we could not sit in this environment, they said we have cooked the food now you have to do a take away I don't mind doing take away but the management needs to know that on this special day(Valentine's day) we were there for fine dine-in . If we were meant to do a takeaway, we could have done it at first point. We got goat masala as takeaway when we reached home. There were more bones than meat, and there were some lamb pieces in the goat masala dish. We might not come back there but would recommend their non veg platter and table were presented very well. Best of luck to...