Dilraj — Restaurant in England

Visit time: 21st August 2019- 6.30pm

Owner(Guy at counter) doesn't like Indians!

Recently moved to Towcester so this place was recommended to me by my very good local friend from Towcester. I come from India so am very particular about the taste of Indian food as we regularly get the spices from India and are really not keen on trying any South East Asian (Indian-Pakistani-Bangladeshi) restaurants as the taste is customised for British taste (less spices) however after being mentioned by my friend that this is not like other south East Asian restaurants as a number of times he has requested the staff to tailor the food a bit to Indian taste as he is a big spice fan and they have always done that everytime to that extent that he doesn't even mention it now and they make it his way when he picks up..

Here's my conversation when I entered the restaurant:

After being welcomed by a friendly staff and asked if eating or take away and offering a seat.

Me: I'll have takeaway. Me and my wife checking the menu for not more than 3 minutes The friendly guy: are you ready to order? Me and my wife: sorry just 2 minutes as we are still checking.

Rude Guy at the counter Rightaway(never smiled in the entire conversation till we left): If you guys want, you can take the order menu with you and we can deliver at your home.😳

Me: Thanks but we were out on a walk anyways so would prefer to take it. Will save your hassle.

While my wife was checking I thought of asking recommendations.

Me to the rude guy thought of making some conversation: I'm new to Towcester and my friend recommended this place. So do you guys recommend anything a bit more close to Indian taste?

Rude guy: Sorry we don't do Indian. Me: I mean not exactly Indian but something which you recommend with a bit more spices?

Rude guy : No we don't do spicy food. It's made for British taste here.😳

Me: the only reason I checked is my friend is a regular customer and he always recommends if you can do a bit more Indian and he swears you just magically change it a bit for the liking.

Rude guy: I'm sorry we never do that. Who is this guy? Where does he live?😳

Me(at this moment I stopped smiling): he just lives near the waitrose corner. His name is **. (Should have said, does that matter?)

Rude guy with demeaning stare: Alright we'll try but we never do that. (Not recommended anything)

My wife quickly spotted something: we'll have chicken tikka masala and butter chicken.

Rude guy: Sorry that will be very mild. Both of us: then do you recommend anything?

Rude guy : jalfreezi and vindaloo

We: thinking of somehow just leaving away. I think we'll go with chicken tikka and butter chicken(thinking as we wanted something with spices and not hot)

It's just been 15 minutes we have left the place and the food is in the refrigerator as not hungry anymore. His attitude and looks right from the moment we stepped in was "This restaurant is not for Indians"

While we were leaving we Could suddenly see a big smile welcoming a group of regulars with a conversation.

The place might be highly rated by locals and his attitude towards them also can not be doubted however this is only guy I have met in Britain who has been judgemental of you.(Don't mind but not even once I have faced this in last 3 years I've been in the country by anyone)

The other staff looked friendly(saying this as they always...

Have ordered takeaway and sat In numerous times in the past, all in all it’s great and the food is very good HOWEVER, ordered a takeaway last night via the phone, the communication was poor! Me and partner both had to speak on the phone, the person on the phone was still answering other phones and essentially not taking our order seriously, finally, order placed and they hung up, only to call back and to take the order again - when it came to payment they were having issues to the point that the staff member said “boss man, I’m very busy” - i get that you are busy but if your that busy, don’t take our order, don’t speak to me so rudely on the phone!! Really disappointed as it’s always been a good experience and the food is good. Maybe hire more staff or as said, if too busy that’s fine state that first so we can order from somewhere else. Both me and partner had long days at work ourselves and just wanted a night off from cooking. Really don’t appreciate the tone that was used. Eventually the payment went through because they didn’t take down the right card number…….probably because still on the phone to other customers! When the order arrived, didn’t receive the usual dips we normally get every time also. May consider using The Ganges now in future due to this experience...

Decent food, average-to-poor service. I came here with my wife and friends for an informal catch-up meal. Drinks and poppadoms came quickly, even if the waiters were somewhat cold and brusque.

As vegans, Indian restaurants are great options and there was lots on the menu to choose from. It'd be helpful for the menu to mark what contains dairy or eggs as naan has both, for example.

Service for mains was slow although we were in no hurry so not an especial issue. We ordered two vegetable curries with a peshwari rice and garlic paratha. All decent if not mind-blowing, although the paratha was fantastic. Order this!

It took awhile for us to get the bill and we ended up just going to pay at the bar. I paid by card and it was all done behind the desk; not great that the machine isn't visible while payment is being taken. The receipt all checked out but it felt a bit underhanded.

In summary, an average Indian restaurant that could easily be better with...