Himalayan Fusion Restaurant and Bar Takapuna — Restaurant in Devonport-Takapuna

It takes a lot for me to write a review, and I’ve never written a bad one before. Restaurants have it tough, and I usually believe if you’ve got nothing nice to say, just don’t go back. But every now and then, an experience comes along that feels less like a meal review and more like a public service announcement. This is that time. And based on all the 5 star reviews I have now seen for this restaurant, I am 'curious' as to why my experience was so different. Last night, I ordered takeaways from the new-ishly owned Himalayan Fusion in Takapuna, formerly the much-loved Bolliwood, where food used to be prepared with care, flavour, and fresh ingredients. I was semi-excited. A new chapter, a bold name. “Fusion”, after all, sounds adventurous. I should’ve taken the hint when I arrived for my takeaways and realised I was the only customer, apart from one other couple in the corner. Still, service was friendly, and I left with a healthy hunger and cautious optimism. Back home, I laid everything out. The bread, dips, and pickle were good. For a brief moment, hope prevailed. Then I dished the mains. I don’t know what sort of fusion was intended, but I suspect the chef was experimenting with the boundaries between chemistry and gastronomy. It didn’t smell like fresh food. Certainly not the herbs and spices of Asia. There was more food colouring than food flavour. Every dish looked like it had been painted by a toddler with a highlighter pen. The sauces were thin, the flavour was… what’s the word… missing. Everything tasted vaguely of disappointment, with a faint undertone of something industrial. And my main observation was these seemed like dishes that were recently frozen and then defrosted in a microwave set to volcano. Everything had that watery separation and insipidness that only rapidly melted ice can give you. I soldiered on. My partner, wiser, took a few mouthfuls, quietly muttered “nope,” and biffed hers. I should’ve followed suit. Instead, I’ve spent today discovering the true meaning of regret. Specifically, the kind that keeps you within a minute or two of a bathroom at all times. Himalayan Fusion looks like a successful franchise or chain. I might have hit a bad night as it was on Labour day and everything was very quiet- so the kitchen might have been on auto-pilot. But when you pay restaurant prices for a takeaway curry you don’t want to regret it. I am now not only $90 lighter, but possibly a kilo as well. I hope this was just a bad night and eat there if you will, but do so with the bravery of a Sherpa and the digestive resilience of a yak.

Postscript. Before posting this I reached out to the Takapuna branch and shared my review with them, giving them the opportunity to respond and keep it offline. They...

Having booked through the First Table website, which offers a 50% discount on the food bill. While the discount is great, the dining experience itself was rather average. The food was okay—nothing particularly memorable or exceptional.

What really confused us was their “no takeaway” policy for bookings made through First Table. We couldn’t finish our meal, so we asked the manager for a container to take the leftovers home. Initially, they reminded us of the policy but provided a takeaway box anyway.

This raises the question: What do they plan to do with the leftover food if customers can’t take it? It seems wasteful, and it’s hard not to wonder whether they might serve it to the next First Table customer. Overall, the dining experience left us more puzzled than satisfied.

Not going back again.

Responding to owner’s reply:

Dude, While giving the takeaway boxes, the manager said “this is the last time we are doing this” which was quite offensive. We clearly didn’t over order. If all u r worried about is cost of takeaway boxes you should have just asked to pay extra for takeaway boxes instead of having these weird takeaway policy. Moreover I did not get any email. In the first table it says MINIMUM purchase of 1 drink and 2 courses per diner. There is no mention of MAXIMUM limit. See the pic. You should re-read your own policies dude.

Why on earth would you think I would come back again. Even if you offer for free I’m not...

I visited Himalayan Fusion Restaurant and Bar for the first time (as a group of three) and had a wonderful experience. It was quiet when we dined (Friday, 7:30 pm), but the service and food were top-notch!

For entrées, we had the onion bhaji, chicken chowella taco, and naga chili-marinated crispy squid. For mains, the tandoor-cooked lamb rump, chicken curry, and Nepalese goat curry. Sides included garlic naan and chocolate naan, and we paired it with a mango lassi and a daiquiri.

I loved the variety. The dishes complemented each other well, and most were easy to share. The onion bhaji and crispy squid were fried perfectly and seasoned well, not too salty, not too spicy. The chicken taco was more like a burrito, so a little tricky to share, but we made it work. The chicken had a lovely smoky BBQ flavour.

They cater well to different spice preferences, and portion sizes were generous, dangerously filling! Staff greeted us warmly, the food came out promptly, and we left very satisfied. Can...