Blue Orchid — Restaurant in Coventry

Horrible experience. I understand seats going waste at restaurants is a problem for them but we were a party of 4. While my friends all others in the party ordered mains, I just ordered a starter and wanted to order a beverage but the waiter pointed it that it was their policy that every person must order a main. This policy was more of an oral thing and wasn't written anywhere. By then we had invested too much time (getting to the place, park our car, choose our food and place our order) for me to walk away and I was forced to order food.

Not that the restaurant had a 3 seater, we would have gotten the 4 seats even if we were just a party of 3 like the people seated next to us.

When the server got my food, I politely returned the food saying I didn't need any and said I wanted to meet the manager. Someone showed up and claimed to be the manager but wasn't polite enough to introduce himself by name even after me extending a handshake and introducing myself. The staff while not outrightly discourteous, had absolutely no care for the customer and we're only focused on making money.

Needless to say my order was charged and we walked away paying the exact tender plus a few pence. My friends say that I am usually a very generous tipper, I would have even paid for a main had they handled me better (which I was forced to anyway)

It's so disheartening to see peope who care more about making money over being human. Not sure if my party was 3 instead of 4 would they have gotten different seating.

My friends also felt the Indian food was only average and not really authentic, more 2.5/5 instead of a 4.5/5.

But my experience...

FOOD - It was an okay meal but nothing really had the "wow" factor or stood out. We would come again if my partner was wanting Tai as I don't like Tai so I could go for an Indian option. Best thing was probably the prawn starter we had. My partner had tai green curry. He said the sauce was nice but the chicken was tough and the rice he got on the side was very sticky. I got lamb chops and a side on Naan. The lamb was nice but the texture of the seasoning was just really bitty and a little off putting. The naan was a little doughy for my liking but my partner enjoyed them.

SERVICE - We had to ask for water 4 times before any actually came. (This wasn't in quick succession either and two times was when asking for other drinks - which we received but without the water). There was also several instances of them looking at the table and either seeing empty glasses/bottles or empty plates, pausing, then just walking away (it would happen several times from different employees before one of them actually ended up coming over - almost like they were waiting and hoping for someone else to do it?).

The highlight of the night was my partner making a joke with the waitress about ordering enough food for 3 people as we got an extra main to share between us that we didn't really touch and asked for it in bag to go. I then went to the restroom and came back the waitress asking how far along I was to my boyfriend to which he awkwardly had to tell her I wasn't...

We booked a table for four on a tuesday, for that evening. It was pretty busy but because we wanted a later time we were ok to book. Outside the place looked enchanting when we arrived, and the decor was fun, inviting and cosy. I love how they have dressed it, and the detail in things like the opulent purple menus and matching table runners worked beautifully. The two guys who looked after us couldn't have been more accommodating, courteous and friendly. The menu was extensive, incorporating both interesting and old favourites of both Thai and Indian cuisine. The wine list met our expectations and oh boy, I can thoroughly recommend the king prawns! I often choose king prawns on a menu yet seldom do I manage to get such juicy succulent and tasty ones! Didnt think much of the crispy duck starter but the red curry Paed Daung main course well made up for it. The others in my group also enjoyed their meal a great deal. It wasnt cheap but it wasnt extortionate- and we had plenty to drink and eat. Will...