Sapphire Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Newcastle-Maitland

I visited this restaurant for dinner about two years ago around 9 PM. Their closing time was 10 PM, so I expected to be seated without an issue. Despite several empty tables, the owner told us they were no longer serving dine-in and only taking takeaway orders. If I had wanted takeaway, I would have ordered over the phone—I didn’t drive 20 minutes just for that.

Quietly, I mentioned to my friend that I’d leave a review about the experience. Shockingly, the owner overheard and immediately became aggressive, threatening to sue me if I posted anything online. One of my friends still went ahead and ordered for himself, while another waited outside.

As my friend was ordering, I submitted my review. The owner must have read it instantly because he returned with another staff member and tried to get me to move to a corner away from the cameras, saying, “I’ll show you what a warning really is.” I refused and stayed on the footpath where it was public and visible.

He kept coming back, getting in my face, cursing, and saying things like, “You’re new in Australia, you don’t know how to handle stuff.” He even told me to get off the footpath, claiming it was “his,” and threatened to push me onto the road.

A few months later, I got a call from a lawyer threatening legal action over the review. I didn’t have the time or energy to deal with it, so I removed the post and simply said, “Educate him—he earns his living because people visit his restaurant and deserves to treat them with respect.”

To top it off, the owner later recognized me at my workplace and, that very day, called my manager demanding I be fired. My manager shrugged it off and told me, “He’s just someone who got rich too fast and thinks he’s above everyone.”

I’m reposting this because people deserve to know what really happened. Those aware of the situation already avoid the place. Sharing an honest experience isn’t illegal—and no amount of intimidation will change the truth.

Just now, someone called me saying “can you do anything?” I said yes, I left a review—and they warned me to be “safe wherever you live.”

Probably the owner has gotten too full of himself after making quick money. That’s the only way I can explain why customer service is treated so poorly here. He is also pushing people to give good reviews so that he could hide...

Hey Sapphire Team,

I wanted to reach out and share my immense satisfaction with the take away experience I had at your restaurant. Everything, from the food to the service, was truly outstanding, and I felt compelled to express my gratitude.

The food at your restaurant is an absolute culinary masterpiece. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and each bite was a delightful explosion of taste. The menu offered a wonderful variety of options, and it was evident that great thought and skill were put into creating such a diverse and delectable selection. I was particularly impressed with [Paneer Kadai, Palak paneer, Navrtana Kofta, Manchurian] which showcased the chef's creativity and expertise.

Equally impressive was the exceptional service provided by your staff. From the moment I called for Order. we were Going back to sydney after a long trip and Very hungry at 8:40pm. I have called Almost 3 restaurants but eveyone have decline for Dine in and Take away. But at Your place One Lady picked call and Politely talk with me. She Also decline for dine in as you are also about to finish but yes she agreed with take away and Even she told me That they will wait until we reach there. I am extremely thank for food and Service of Staff and Speciall that Lady (she might be from Nepal, I mentioned here as she really deserves to Appreciate her work), I was greeted with warmth and made to feel like a valued guest. Their friendly and professional demeanor added to the overall enjoyment of the food experience.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the entire team for their dedication to excellence. Your restaurant has truly set the bar high for gastronomic experiences, and I eagerly look forward to my next visit.

Thank you once again for a...

Been meaning to check out @SapphireIndianRestaurant and placed a takeaway order:

Kaju kebab - crunchy on the outside and a soft potato and dhal filling inside, this is so yum but gets a bit rich and creamy, so a dip of the sweet, tart and sour tamarind sauce is so yum Tandoori chicken half - darkened rich red colour spice mix immersed over tandoor oven roasted tender chicken is tasty once you sink your teeth in. Mmm. Goat biriyani - Sapphire is known for some heat and the biriyani delivers it. Prepare to wipe the sweat off your brow as you munch through the tasty flavoured rice and chunks of succulent goat Palak paneer - paneer, the Indian cheese, is immersed in a lovely spinach mix, creamy but with a touch of heat Butter chicken - a personal favourite and this is totally on point. Rich, creamy, sweet and with some heat, the curry is amazing and the chicken super succulent. Lamb Korma - another creamy and slightly sweet curry with a touch of heat smothers tender chunks of lamb Garlic naan - soft, glistening and with a subtle garlic flavour, the naan is delicious, especially when you dip it in the korma or butter chicken.

Also enjoyed the food with a cooling mint chutney and raitha.

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