No.81 Indian restaurant — Restaurant in Burnley

Felt i had to share this review after the response from the owner/manager of no 81 to my brothers review. Firstly there were six of us and we went on New Years Eve 2023. We knew the menu was full price so there were no quibbles about paying full price at all. We all ordered starters and drinks. My starter was good Prawn and Mango Puri. The others were ok. Onion Bhajis were not to peoples expectations but no complaints so far. Drinks were served and the soft drinks were flat. My son actually sent his back and exchanged. Starters finished and then a good hours wait for our mains. We had to ask for the starter plates to be cleared and were left waiting until our server/waiter was back from delivering food. I was the first to get my main meal. It was not even warm. At this point other members of our party were being served their main meals. One member of the party had ordered vindaloo sauce to go with his Tandoori but oh no they explained there would be another 10 minute wait for this so served him the ordinary curry sauce. However the vindaloo did arrive 10 minutes later. My main mail was taken back to the kitchen and warmed up !!. The Tandoori chicken that 2 people had ordered was yellow, was not charred, was greasy on the outside and dry in the middle as well as both being bloody. Both people tried their meals and none were satisfied. We called the waiter back and was offered something else. 1 opted for Chicken Tikka and the other person did not want anything as the Tandoori had put him off. When the Tikka arrived it was swimming in grease but did not want to complain again. All our main meals were mediocre nothing to write home about. Service was awful and we were seated right by the door which people were in and out of the restaurant/takeaway every two minutes. We booked this place due to excellent reviews and were highly disappointed. When we received the bill they had not even taken the full price off for the Tandoori chicken (1 meal). We paid the bill rather than cause a scene but we had a quiet word with the waiter and said how disappointed we were and that we would not return. Maybe they were just having a bad night or were to busy but this was no excuse for the dismal and indifferent service and mediocre/inedible food our...

So on Monday 7th August a table for four was booked for the following day Tuesday 8th August at 7pm . We turned up at this venue at 6.50 . The first member of staff came over and said that the table would be ready soon , only to be shouted at by another member of staff (a younger guy ) saying it was already booked , so a shouting match started with all the customers looking around,while we are stood at the door like spare parts. My daughter went to the younger man and actually showed him our booking reference,her name was actually in the book . But he wasn't having any of it . So we left them to it and went to another place to eat . That was more accommodating. I will never go to this joke of a place again , very un professional staff especially the younger guy . Who kept saying 'this table is reserved ' yes it was you idiot by the very same customers that are standing at the door . Personally I think they were over booked and didn't want to admit it. But to start shouting and screaming in the middle of the restaurant and even after being shown the booking in their own booking in system and still denying it , well like I said very unprofessional. I did get a reply from the management, basically calling me a lier and a Karen , well what do you expect from a place, especially the management where they haven't got a clue what or how to treat customers, any way we went to another restaurant, better food ,good atmosphere, professional staff , so you did us a favour , ended up having a...

Stepping into Number 81 Indian Restaurant for a friends special birthday treat was like walking into a scene from the best Bollywood bash! Right from the get-go, the vibe was electric - as if the restaurant itself was in celebration mode. The staff, bless them, couldn't have been more accommodating if they tried. It was as though they had a secret mission to ensure every moment was as smooth as their mango sauce !

The food? Oh, the food! It was like a culinary hug from the subcontinent. Each dish was a burst of flavour, a fireworks display for the palate. From the sizzling starters to the divine main courses, every bite was a ticket to flavourtown.

The service was top-notch. Attentive, yet not overbearing. It's as if the staff had a sixth sense, appearing just when you needed them, with a warm smile and readiness to assist. They played a huge part in knitting the evening together, turning a simple meal into a feast of joy.

The atmosphere tied everything together. Imagine laughter blending with the clinking of glasses, the murmur of content diners, all wrapped in a decor that’s both elegant and inviting. It’s the kind of place where memories are made and cherished.

In all, dining at Number 81 was not just about enjoying great food; it was an experience, a celebration of life’s delightful moments. So, if you’re looking to add a sprinkle of joy to your evening, this spot in Padiham is just the...