Friends Cuisine of India — Restaurant in Hamilton

UPDATED: (2 years after the first review) Sadly, things have gone down hill, it appears that there is new management, and maybe worst of all a new rather same old, same old standard "curry house" menu. The Aachari Chicken has been removed from the Entrees and now hidden away under the general mains. Ignoring where it has moved to, the whole dry concept of Aachari Chicken has gone, completely into a standard, bland, brown mush of thick, grainy "gravy"... it could have been anything - certainly lost all semblance of a Chicken!

Also, unlike the previous management and menu, now there is the terrible Kiwi "invention" and pathetic need to ask how hot or mild you would like the dish. Why? It should always be as it is meant to be, not tempered down (or up) for the weak Kiwi taste buds. Bring it as it should authentically be, and with whatever spicy heat that means from the original location and regional cuisine from within India. That was the beginning of the end.

Table Service proved to be second to the endless stream of "Uber Eats" coming and going as priority, in-house diners were second, and so, desperately slow. Sorry... Friends, Saint Andrews, you've dropped to a third division eatery... and way down the favoured Indian Restaurants in the region... WWWAAAYYY Down. So far down in fact that I won't be returning. 2 years ago it was my favourite Indian Restaurant. "New" style Menu drops from 5* plus to a poor 2 stars, Service used to be on point and highly attentive - and authentic, now Below Average 2 stars, food quality dropped from a fantastic 5* Plus, to ... a struggling 2*! ...And that's pushing it trying to be positive!

What a shame! What a loss...

Here is my ORIGINAL Review... FROM 2 Years ago, WoW, how things have changed (from the above, to my glowing 5+ Star Review 2 years ago below) - Restaurants do this, they take it for granted that they are good (initially), because they graft hard to make a success of it, then slackness appears (usually in service and chef to table times), then customers are taken for granted... (fatal mistake). Then the slide to average at best in everything. Then, negativity sets in, followed by inevitable CLOSURE!

Top eateries, NEVER, EVER STOP GRAFTING, EVERY DAY, ALWAYS and FOREVER!

Here is my GLOWING Late 2021 Review:

"Friends, Sandwich Road, St. Andrews really is superb...

Ok, so the location and exterior; and for that matter the interior, are a little "suspect" and "tired" ...forget all that, you're here for a meal... and you will NOT be disappointed as this IS without doubt the BEST genuinely authentic, flavour-filled Indian cuisine, and with a superb range outside the standard same-old - same-old LIST, including some regional and unusual but amazingly tasty dishes that you could ever wish to have. Great service too, with an incredible attentiveness that was also unbelievably discreet and non-intrusive... Top notch, on the ball and genuinely HAS to be the BEST Indian cuisine restaurant in all of The Tron, if not The Kato and possibly FAR Beyond those meagre boundaries too...

DARE I SAY IT?

...Including The EXCELLENCE of Wellington superior Indian Cuisine Restaurants too!

Ohhhh... Now, I'm in trouble! LOL 🤣 Whatevs... The report is...

An exceptional experience, flavourful, thoughtful, and generous.

This wasn’t their presentation, it’s takeout, but the quality absolutely deserves a proper photo and review. The restaurant came highly recommended by my fussy Indian colleague, and I can now say: I’d rate them even higher.

What truly stood out was the service. The young man who took my order called me back to double-check if I was okay with gluten, something that is typically the customer’s responsibility to mention. That level of care was genuinely above and beyond.

Every dish impressed. The Chicken 65 was incredibly tender, generously portioned for just $17, and packed with deep, rich flavor. The onion rings were an unexpected delight—lightly spiced, not greasy, and a perfect textural contrast.

But the star of the meal was the Palak Paneer. It’s easily the best I’ve had in years. The spinach was fresh and vibrant, the texture velvety, and the seasoning masterfully done, mildly sweet, gently creamy, with spices that complemented the dish instead of overpowering it. It reminded me of how Palak Paneer is meant to taste.

It was so good, I paused mid-meal, plated it properly, and took a photo, because food this good deserves to be celebrated. Highly...

Food Quality: The butter chicken was outstanding—creamy, rich, and perfectly spiced. The balance of flavors was spot-on, with tender chicken pieces that melted in your mouth. I also tried their garlic naan, which paired beautifully with the curry, soaking up every bit of that luscious sauce.

Variety: Apart from the butter chicken, the menu offered a good range of other curries, appetizers, and bread options. For those with a less spicy palate, there were milder choices, and they also catered to vegetarians with options like paneer butter masala.

Service: The staff was friendly and attentive, ensuring we were comfortable and satisfied throughout our meal. Our food arrived promptly, even during peak hours.

Ambience: The decor was warm and inviting, with a blend of traditional and modern elements. It was the perfect setting for a cozy meal.

Value for Money: The prices were reasonable for the portion sizes and quality of the food. They also offer combo deals that are worth every penny.

Room for Improvement: While my experience was fantastic, a more detailed description of spice levels on the menu could help diners customize their...