Polpetta Fusion Restaurant & Take away ( Indian & Italian food) — Restaurant in North Island

Edit to reply to restaurant for context: I travel for work and I try new restaurants each trip, this one was recommended to me by an acquaintance and I was they told me about meatballs. Hence why I’m a lone diner on a weekday and know what I want. And no I will never complain about the food to the waiter unless there is a hygiene issue, since it is not their problem, just sharing my honest opinions to the owner… who seems to not be taking 3 stars very well. My opinion hasn’t changed, New Plymouth has no shortage of great restaurants with great service, even on the same block I can name three 5/5 places. These guys aren’t in the top 15 in Taranaki.

I have a strong feeling some of the 5 star reviews were purchased, because there is something that doesn’t quite make sense with the acclaim versus the emptiness of the restaurant (granted it was a weekday and 7pm but the place was absolutely deserted and had about 2 takeout deliveries the entire time I was there). The beef meatballs were dense, dry and under seasoned, the sauce didn’t really match up well and the pasta was no different to supermarket stuff, over boiled. Topped with a piece of cilantro, which is baffling. This missed the mark so hard I wondered why they didn’t just go straight Indian and skip the Italian portion, since they don’t seem to know what Italian really means? Not inedible but an average home cook...

I have been to Polpetta a few times to dine in, and it's always fabulous! The other night, my partner and I were craaaaving meatballs, so we thought we'd get it via delivereasy. Firstly, we noticed we couldn't order a side of Mac and cheese via the delivereasy app (it was only available with the meatballs, but we'd chosen other sides for the meatballs, lol). We gave Polpetta a call, and the lovely staff member advised that we could order a side of Mash via the app and put in a note, and they would swap it for the Mac and Cheese! Easy as. We made our order for two main meals a side of Mac and cheese and two brownie deserts. We were skeptical of how it would all come packaged and whether it would still be as good as dine in (they have very generous servings when you dine in and I was interested to see if the portion size would be the same). Well, we were pleasantly surprised when it arrived. Everything was perfectly packaged. The stroganoff sauce was packaged separately, so nothing was soggy. The ice cream was packaged separately, too, so it wasn't all melted. Once plated up, it was obvious the servings were exactly the same as dine in, so not skimping from Polpetta! The meals were delicious and fresh, and considering the quality and the ease to have it delivered, it was really good value for a bit of a treat. Hands down would order takeout again from here. ...

Nice decore uncomfortable seating with no heating in winter. Staff weren’t very hospitable and “friendly”. Ordered one mixed platter , Indian butter chicken biriyani and naan. Before ordering butter chicken which they said style I asked if it was sweet multiple times and the man said no it’s not sweet it’ll be Indian hot . The starter platter came and was very small for almost $28 . Staff didn’t check on how meals were or clear plates on time. They went to the kitchen instead . The curries came and portion was tiny for the price was also very sweet after he assured me it wouldn’t be. Had to try get the servers attention 4 times eventually going near to the kitchen to ask for assistance as no one checked on the meals. I asked for the food to be exchanged for something else but he still charged me full price on the curry even tho the one he replaced it with was cheaper. Seemed to be a language barrier of him going back and forward to the kitchen wasn’t a warmly environment where we felt welcome and cozy for our anniversary. After the food was exchanged it tasted nice but the staff lacked the hospitality you get elsewhere and that ultimately makes me not want to go back. Very pricey food wise...