Two Fat Indians - City Central — Restaurant in Christchurch

IF YOU’RE READING THIS, DO NOT EAT HERE.

IF I COULD GIVE 0 ZERO STARS OR EVEN NEGATIVE STARS, I WOULD.

Trash tier hospitality. Somehow this place managed to lose customers within minutes of us being in the place. Really want to comment on the food but the waiter was so rude that it would be immoral to support them.

Firstly, we walked in to be greeted or seated by no one, which tbh isnt the biggest downfall. But I’ll get back to this point later.

Me and my partner sat in a booth that was clearly not marked as reserved. Table had no menus so I got up to find some. When I returned to the booth, I found my partner agitated and packing up our stuff to move to a different, smaller table.

We sit down at the new table and my partner tells me that one of the waiters was so rude and she feels so disgusted that we cant eat here. I ask what happened and the waiter stood at the table, stared at my partner for at least 10 seconds before my partner asked “is everything okay?” And he/she/they/them said in such a rude and angry tone, “WELL, this table is reserved, OBVIOUSLY, so move to a different table right now”. And then he/she/they/them, just stormed off?????

There was no reserved signs and if you didnt have any, then wouldnt it be smart to have someone ready and waiting to seat people??

As my partner was telling me this, I was looking through the menu, just to realise that the prices were not the same as what was listed on the menus outside. I realised that the menus outside are lunch menus, but wouldnt it make sense to change it after lunch when those prices are no longer whats offered???

To make things worse, as me and my partner started to leave, a male who appeared to be the manager asked if everything is okay. I told him no, we’re leaving just based off that waiter/waitress/idiot’s rudeness and lack of hospitality. However, he interrupted me and kept saying “yeah whatever”.

Have been told many times that Two Fat Indians is trash, foods not even good and the service is terrible but thought nah we come to Riverside often and love Butter Chicken so we’ll try it.

Next time, I’ll listen to my friends and family and just go to Coriander’s City or Himalays which are infinitely better.

Really want to be able to write about the food, however, did not get to try due to terrible and...

Was this a bait and switch by this restaurant? Wrong menu outside vs inside. Seems deliberate to me, you be the judge.

Family of three walking past, see the menu on the window beside the door. Prices look good, smells good inside, we go in. It's just after 8pm. I asked the Maitre D/waitress what time they closed, she didn't seem to understand the question. Took about five attempts until we get told 9pm. So we sit down. We open up menus and find all the same dishes are $8-9 more than we expected. Confused, I get up and go see the prices again outside and beckon the waitress to come and see to explain. She doesn't understand why they're different and goes to get the manager. Walking back to my table I see INSIDE the door that on the BACK of the window menu, the ONLY menu in the window, that it says 'Lunch Menu.' Great. Nice one. The manager comes, all prickly and annoyed, and swiftly says with no hint of embarrassment or apology, "That's the lunch menu, only from 11-2." Almost seemed offended he had to explain it. Naturally I'm thinking why the heck it's pasted in the window then?! Not saying that, I smile and optimistically ask that it doesn't apply? He doesn't smile but just snarkily replies, "Well it's not lunchtime is it?" Then pretty much just departs and leaves us there, like we're morons or something. Real bad taste to that "conversation". No hint of sorry for the mixup or whatever, no sign of apology that it's HIS FAULT for putting the wrong menu up there. It didn't say "Lunch" on the outside, just the mains, small plates and prices. I mean, it's your problem?! You falsely advertise, either by accident or by deceit (seems to me to be the latter after such a response), and so either way, that snarky comment with the annoyed tone is pretty much the complete OPPOSITE of what I think ought to have happened there, no? Is that normal for you, right off the bat, to treat customers like idiots? When it's YOUR mistake?

So yeah, SUPER professional service there, really good job, way to lose three customers in three seconds and plenty more through word of mouth. Which any decent manager would know is the lifeline of hospitality businesses like yours.

And so yeah, we immediately got up and left and went to the never disappointing or rude, Ramen Ria, mere metres away, which I...

The decor is really nice, as is the location and views. Unfortunately the Vegan dishes were very underwhelming. The curries had no depth or spiciness, and I asked for hot. No coriander or other fresh herbs added, even as just a condiment. The food coming out of here is the worst example of Indian cuisine I've ever had. The thing about Vegan cuisine is there's no meat to mask a Chef's lack of skill and foresight... 🤔

The ingredients and techniques used to build their curries are both very substandard and reeks of arrogance. People do know the difference between a good or bad curry. If they are not making 2-3 day marinaded curries they will never make a name for themselves again.

The portion sizes were insultingly small; leaving one feeling ripped off. And I couldn't finish my cocktail because it was so disgusting. This has never happened in my life... and often I have them with lunch too.

Then to top it off, one of the male Indians working in the kitchen kept staring us with a very angry expression through the whole meal. I eventually had to have an unpolite word with him. It was probably because we're females in a same sex relationship.

It was a terrible experience overall. I want the old two fat Indians back... it was a great jewel in Christchurches crown. It's time to get a new head Chef, NOW!! Before you lose what little is left of its reputation and then the business.

P.s. please bring back all of those well mannered cute Indian waiters; people love them. Unlike the miserable asian girl who didn't want be there and kept giving us death stares.

Note: as someone has now answered from said business, I realise they don't get the idea of a critical review, even from someone who is actually a qualified critic.

We wouldn't ever waist our time on going back, even if they offered a free meal. We've already waisted $100 on first round. The restuarant is that drastically ill conceived. But, it would be easy to fix and have a booming gem...