Aroma Restaurant - Authentic Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Gauteng

We have literally eaten at and reviewed every JHB North Indian restaurant. Not many good things to say about this place unfortunately. Lucky, the brave waitron, must be given kudos for being alone on a Saturday night, manning tables, take away orders and a slow kitchen. We reserved a table for 7pm. When we arrived, there was a table of 6-8 and a couple already seated, with 2 people waiting for their take out. We ordered drinks, starters and mains at the same time. Waited a long while, while watching the large table and the one take out order peeps coming to enquire about the wait. Still no drinks for us, not even the water. Then we get our complimentary poppadum thing before a drink! The large table gets their food and the couple miraculously get their water. Two Indian women rush in, go in back. Older one comes out to greet the large table, ignores the rest of us. One of the take out people come to speak to her. Their food is finally out. Never see the women again except to give Lucky our tray of starters. I have to ask for the waters and they arrive along with my hub's Appeltiser. Then the warm plates are served. Hub's Heineken arrives. Plates are cold once the very mediocre food, which we ordered extra hot (including the hot Vindaloo which was mild), arrives. We ate it because we were famished by then and did not complain because we felt bad for Lucky (we did ask for extra chillies, which helped). What excuses for the bland food? Ten minutes after I finally get my (yummy) margarita. The couple only got their food once we were halfway through ours! We did not take any take aways. No idea how this place survives with not great food and bad accountability (excuses ±±). Poor Lucky! (We gave him a good tip.) Post response: Thank you for the comprehensive yet defensive explanation. #accountability The food is bland and selective customer service based on crisis is...

Now that's a tough decision to make on the rating ... the food is phenomenal, no question. I lived in North India for a while and I guess it can't be more authentic than what is being served here. Happy to see that the quality is still impeccable after returning to Joburg after a couple of years. On the downside, the preparation took very loooong, way over an hour for a group of 5 people with the restaurant nearly empty. The owner referred to issues with load shedding - it might be worth considering to use gas instead (which anyway would be more authentic :-)). Also, the new place doesn't feel very accomodating or even cosy. So while the food is outstanding, I'd be hesitant to bring people for business lunch or dinner due to the...

We had a sit down lunch. Food was average, the portions were tiny, not enough for 1 person, hardly value for money. There was half a bowl of gravy and a handful of lamb or chicken pieces. The servers were not up to standard, took over an hour to get our meagre portions. When we asked for the status of the food is was always "it's coming" and then it still took another 30 minutes to reach the table. Same thing was told to us when we asked to see the owner. I finally went to the back to speak to her, her attitude was nonchalant about it all, saying "what do you want me to do?". I was not the only customer complaining, another guy ordered take out and he waited over 90 minutes for his order. Not recommended...