Gurkha Aroma — Restaurant in Bolsover

First visit last night for me & my partner. Arrived on time and seated quickly, although we did have to try and grab the attention of someone while we stood in the doorway. It was quite busy and the first thing that struck me is that the tables are very 'cramped'. I would certainly say that the layout needs a rethink. I will not comment on the service much, it was reasonable, but did not come across as 'smooth'; however, you have to consider that it has only opened recently and it looked like some of the staff were learning the ropes. I have had much worse service at 'established' restaurants. Onto the food: Bhaji starters were nice. A little dry, but still crisp & tasty; I prefer a little dry to swimming in grease but I am glad I held back the pickle tray to use as dips. Pilau Rice which was very good (you'll want 1 each if you have a decent appetite). 1 Family Garlic Naan which was also cooked very well. It's huge (we left about a third) and comes on a hanger. If you've been to Akbars, it's very similar. Tandoori Chicken Tikka Masala: I didn't really enjoy this; it was quite salty and I would also expect it to have a little creaminess (not necessarily sweetness, like Korma), but it should have some creaminess to it. Chicken Karahi: again, quite salty, which overtook any other flavour. It did have some heat to it (as it should) but it was just salty and hot. The other negative point (bothered my partner more than me) is that the chicken had a very 'processed' texture. It may just be in the way it is pre-cooked or it may be that it is bought in all frozen pre-cooked/sliced/packed. Going back to the layout, the section we sat in (right from the door) had 4 tables back to back, but there is no way that works. The 2 tables on our side were full and a group of 4 came in and the staff had to push the opposite 2 tables together and sit the group all side by side along the bench. I would certainly not have been happy if this was my group. One other point I would make to the restaurant (if they read this) is that I recommend you let people know at the time of the booking that you do not have a license and they can "bring your own booze". The table that sat next to us were not aware and a little disappointed. Luckily I had a spare bottle to donate. To close, the waiter did come and ask how the meal was at the end, and what they could have done better. I gave him some feedback on the saltiness of the dishes so we will see what happens. We'll go back at some point, but we'll give it a few months while they iron out all the 'wrinkles'. Despite the above, I have scored them a 4. They are a new business and it's early days, so it would be unfair and damaging to them to score them lower. I also wish them the best of luck with...

Arrived for bre booked 7pm table. Once inside. We stood there for a good 5 mins, 4 waiters passing us regularly. No one approached us to ask who we where.very unprofessional and rude. My wife told one of the passing waiters, we had a table booked. Was told we had to wait for 30 mins for our table. Alarm bells all ready .similar stories from people stood and sat around waiting for pre booked tables. One table of 4 been waiting since 6.00pm Once at our table, we noticed people getting up and leaving. Table next to ours, said been there 90 mins and only got starter, so paid and left. 3 other tables did the same. Oh dear. No drinks license, not a problem, took our own drink, but only very large tumbler type glasses available . No wine glasses or beer glasses. Upon reflection, if the 4 tables had not left, would we have had a long wait? Also it was very cold in there. Heating not good. The front of house staff was in total chaos. One waiter walking past with cigarette packet sticking out is pocket. Bit off putting. Take away orders flying out the door. Looked to have priority. Thought we stick with it and try the meal, our order was placed, but written down wrong. We had to correct waiter twice. Mixed kebab starter. Well not good. Meat was thin, over cooked and hard. No starter for the wife. We where then asked to move, slide our table across to the side, while eating, so the waiters could re arrange 3 tables at the side of us. Then later rearranged the tables again in a different order. Very limited space between tables. Elbow to elbow with next table. Main courses arrived. Very poor I’m afraid. Never had a Jalfrezi that looked like this. Wife’s balti was not good either. Rice option was two to choose. This was poor. Best thing was garlic naan. When Meal was delivered to table. We had to then ask for plates to eat our meal from. And also cutlery to use, after meal been served. After watching this restaurant being built and chomping at the bit to try it. Very dissatisfied and disappointed. It’s a shame really. Bolsover and the people around here need good restaurants to visit. Sadly this business is not going to survive, unless big changes are made. Will we visit again. Possibly in a months or so time. Give this new business a chance to find there feet and iron out all the issue’s. And then check out future reviews first. Hopefully Desi Aroma will become an asset to Bolsover and...

Booked here for my mum's birthday (not a massive issue but they didn't inform her at booking that it is BYOB which I think would have been best as she was disappointed upon arriving that she couldn't have a birthday drink). Had to wait 20 mins for table as it wasn't ready. Decor is lovely but way too many tables for the size of the place.

Crushed 5 of us (all adults) onto a 3-4 person table. With this type of food it is common to have 3 plates each (naan, curry and rice/side), how could this work? After struggling with starters I asked if we could pull the empty table next to us up to our table (they weren't going to offer, assuming they were leaving this empty for a walk-in when it was already absolutely overfilled in there). The couple on a two person table behind us had to stand up every time the table behind them was served, I don't think that is acceptable and quite honestly was unsafe as hot food could have been dropped onto someone.

Service was nothing to shout about, waited ages to be served and to receive orders and staff weren't particularly friendly. As our table wasn't set when we were taken to it, a server came over and chucked cutlery onto the table for us to set ourselves, which is totally the opposite of what you expect when going out for a nice meal. Food was disappointing, given 2 stars for this as 2 of our party did enjoy theirs, but other 3 didn't. Was pretty flavourless.

Wanted to support a new business in the area but honestly none of us will be returning as it was the most disappointing restaurant experience we've all had in recent times. However, these are all very fixable issues and I'm sure in time it will become a great place to eat. I don't leave this review to dissuade others from going, only to help owners appreciate our experience. Just need to remove some tables, handle bookings better, improve service and focus on making food quality more consistent. All the best to the...