The Raj in Brentwood — Restaurant in Brentwood

I am not normally one to write reviews and must say when I read reviews of some places I think, you can’t please everyone, but I cannot believe the service I experienced this evening.

If you are looking for good service or for feeling accommodated in a restaurant, DO NOT go to The Raj.

We, as a group of 4 adults and 1 child, made a booking 5 days in advance via Qandoo. The booking was accepted and confirmed however when we arrived at the restaurant this evening we were told they didn’t have the booking and do not accept Quandoo bookings for Friday and Saturday evenings and they had turned it off for this weekend due to the Christmas light switch on! After much discussion amongst each other they decided they could squeeze us in but only for 1.5 hours as they were fully booked and would require the table - what a warm, lovely welcome!

We were shown to a small table of 4 even though there were 5 of us at the end of the bar which we all had to cram around. They did not have any highchairs (I have now read other negative reviews of this place that say they are not accommodating of children) so perhaps this is the reason for the unwelcome reception.

I was forced to play bar maid all evening having to pass drinks from the bar to the table.

The food was ok! Although I will say that even if the service had been better I wouldn’t rush back for the food alone.

As the 1.5 time limit on the table was nearing we had staff coming nearby the table, making eye contact and tapping on their watch to remind us of the time. We stated we had 12 minutes left but were told they also needed to clear the table in that time so we upped and left.

It is also worth pointing out and mentioning that at least half the tables at the restaurant remained empty during our strict 1.5 hour time limit there.

We didn’t receive hot towels or chocolates - I don’t even feel like my curry experience is complete without either of these!

It goes without saying we will not...

I have been using The Raj with a group of friends for over 15 years and sadly standards have slowly declined to the point that we question whether to go there or not. Last Friday I ordered a King Prawn Pasanda which arrived looking like a bowl of custard, which I questioned, but was assured it was pasanda "because they could see the rose water". The prawns were not cooked properly and the sauce tasted disgusting. After much ado and being told that it was a Korma (which I can assure anyone that it wasn't), they bought another dish to the table which tasted a little more like pasanda, but not a lot. When we got the bill, it was full price despite being assured by the "Manager" that I would not be charged for my dish. I questioned this and was told "you have had your meal so pay", so when I asked for the manager, the Gentleman told me he was the manager and the older man had gone home - how convenient that the managers change to suit. Frankly, I found the staff rude and couldn't care less about the customer and they were prepared to fob me off with a "dish" that they knew was not right. Unfortunately I do not know what was in the first "dish" but I was up several times in the night with sickness and diarrhoea. The whole experience spoiled an otherwise lovely evening out with friends and subsequently wiped out my weekend. We will not be returning, but judging by their attitude, I doubt they are...

Disappointed doesn't quiet describe it.

Booked a table 5 days in advance. Was sent confirmation of booking and a reminder. Arrived only to be told there was no booking and that they don't take booking online (it was booked via their website?!)

Was "squeezed" onto a table for 4.. With 5 guests. For context, the restaurant was practically empty and we was told we would need to be out within an hour.

What happened next was the most rushed service experience I have ever encountered. I have never been to a restaurant that has been so hostile from the moment we arrived. In hindsight, we should have left and refused to give over our money.. The main reason I say disappointing however is because we had friends with us, who had to endure this. This was their first time to Brentwood, travelling for over an hour to spend the evening with us - very embarrassed to have them experience this.

First time and last time we will be...