Harborne Indian Kitchen — Restaurant in Birmingham

The 21st of July was our 24th Wedding Anniversary. As usual, plans were left to the very last minute in terms of where to go to celebrate our milestone! We both wanted Indian food, however, wanted also to try something or go somewhere different. A quick scan of highly rated restaurants on TripAdvisor delievered Umami. A further study of the menu and reviews confirmed that our vegetarian needs would be met. Calling the restaurant to book a table was the first sign that my wife and I were in for a really outstanding experience. The phone was answered swiftly and very professionally. Not only was I made to feel special on my call, the gentleman who picked up went the "extra mile" and asked if ours was a first visit or special occasion. When we arrived at Umami, we were greeted in style and offered the choice of having a few drinks in their reception area or moving straight on to our table. From the moment we sat down, to the moment we left, the table service was truly exceptional. Umami stands out from many other restaurants due to it's extensive and delicious cocktail menu. We chose a couple of non-alcoholic cocktails which were perfect! All of the staff at Umami could not have been more attentive to our needs. As stated, we are vegetarian and the menu at Umami catered easily to our specific needs. All of the dishes we had were familiar to us. However, each had a delicious twist which was clearly down to the food items being lovingly crafted by a true family chef. Our meal, from starters to main course was exquisitely delicous. The ingredients were obviously very fresh as were our choice of breads and accompaniments. The entire evening could not have been any better, however, Umami managed to exceed our expectations even further! Then came the magical moment that really put the evening at Umami in to a league of it's very own. The restaurant brought us out a complimentary dessert, recognising out wedding anniversary. We will definitely and as soon as possible be returning to Umami for some of the best food and service we have EVER experienced. I would strongly recommend the restaurant, it's food and staff to anyone who enjoys good...

We were looking forward to a "Valentines Special" evening. There was the promise of live music, great ambience, lovely food and even a present. Here is what actually transpired:

Live Music: The live music was a singer at the front of the restaurant who stopped playing for half the night for a break. He was not too bad but we would not see him at all from our table and the sound was muffled.

Ambience: The tables were far too close together and we could hear just about every word spoken by the couples at adjacent table.

Food: Very mediocre to really bad. The lamb dish initially was just bones and fat! I asked for some proper meat and reluctantly the waiter brought us another dish with some meat. The lamb was still far too tough. The other mains were bland. The desert could have been made by a 5 year old! The starters were the best of a bad lot.

Service: We waited a while even before they came to ask for drinks. And then there was a rush to serve the dishes. The couple next to our table complained repeatedly that they were being rushed but this did not seem to make any difference.

Value: Terrible to the point of being ripped off. We paid nearly £70 for dinner for two with one drink. I can tell you that the managers were only trying to profit by serving us sub standard food while at the same time increasing the price for the Valentines promotion. The lamb in particular was really cheap. I think as this is the most expensive item in the menu the owners got the cheapest cuts. Even the £10 voucher did not compensate.

We have dined in Umami before on an ordinary night without any promotion and the food and service were much much better. Sadly Umami are no better than other restaurants when it comes to cutting corners in order to make a profit on promotion nights. There was really no need. They have lost two customers and importantly any recommendation to our family...

I left a glowing report for this restaurant a few weeks ago and I said I would return. So pleased was I that I chose to celebrate my birthday with my family and order a takeaway that we collected. The reason being my 80 year old mother was happier to eat at home. We ordered the menu below. X2. The reason being that my mother had colon cancer and is no longer able to digest things like chick peas.

We were suppose to receive 4 starters. 4 mains 4 butter naans 2 rice.

When we got home some 5 miles away and emptied the box. What we received was definitely not what was on the menu. There was a chaps masaka which was. It on the menu. And we were dishes short. I telephoned the restaurant and the gentleman that answered spoke to the chef out loud. I speak Punjabi so was able to ascertain that he my not have put in the box all that was ordered. I was asked the adddess and advised the remainder would be delivered. I was happy with that. 5 mins later. Haq called snd said I had ordered from an old menu that was not available that they were too busy and could not rectify this unless I collected again. He kept asking me to look in the box. Believe me the box was empty the paneer makanwalla that was promised together with the aloo pallak and missing naans simply were not there. He just kept saying I needed to look in the box and they were too busy. I text back with a photo of the menu I had ordered from on their website to the number he called from. I was hoping he would respond. To date he has not. Truthfully what I would say is the food is lovely. They put a dampener on celebrations. So don’t ever get a take away if you do make sure the menu is the one you dhpuybe ordering from !!!!! Sour taste. Not for me anymore as I explained all this bit they didn’t feel the need to respond. England cricket team won’t be visiting any time soon. Sorry

Menu set Vegetarian starter for...