Gate Of India Restaurant — Restaurant in England

I was on my way back to the station from a Saturday afternoon in Chester city centre, and five minutes from the station I passed by this unassuming doorway to Gate of India.

It was late afternoon and I was feeling somewhat peckish and took a look at the menu in the window. The vindaloo was labelled hot, together with a note to say for only seasoned diners who enjoy their hot food. This is in contrast to so many places where vindaloo has been toned down to not cause pain.

They also had an option beyond vindaloo, labelled Ceylon, and a designation of extremely hot.

I decided to pop in for dinner. The place is decked out in traditional decor, with some very practical red disposable top table cloths - I always hate dropping curry on a nice clean table cloth.

I had a couple of poppadoms and vegetable samosas for starters.

For the main, I was expecting fire, so decided on just the vindaloo. Lamb of course, with Bombay potato, a plain naan, and the fire extinguisher cucumber raita.

The heat did not disappoint. I got that just dipping the pieces of naan into the gravy.

I shall be back for the Ceylon soon (with lots of raita).

Service was attentive and kept the drinks and food rolling over nicely.

Diners around me were eating a variety of dishes and they all looked good.

You will have a good meal...

I’m not inclined to writing reviews but…On my seventh week of traveling the UK/Ireland this was my 3d Indian restaurant, and my first and only un-polite experience. My favorite part of visiting UK is the well mannered politeness of its people. I was greeted by a head waiter very obviously annoyed at a solo diner taking up atable on a Friday. I politely called him on his attitude and he made an apparent effort to be polite after that. The food was by far the most un-lovingly prepared Indian food I’ve ever had. Even my humble third world Costa Rica’s Indian restaurants would put this one to shame. The dips accompanying the papadum were mediocre. And I am almost sure my food was served with revenge level spice. Luckily I love spice. I could see him eyeing me while I ate, and cought a couple of the waiters doing the same. In on the spice revenge joke? Can’t say for sure. At 67 I’ve dedicated my life to pleasing customers. Managed two restaurants and two small hotels, and owned a restaurant of my own. When I walked in he could have just said ‘sorry I have no tables for one available’ and I would have completely understood. The owner walking up and down with a haughty demeanor did not help the ambiance either. I don’t understand how this place has an average 4...

I can't rate the food as we never got to eat. Booked a table for 8pm on Saturday for four people. Arrived and initially couldn't get in as access was blocked by a group of men trying to get a table. The place was full, but the men kindly let us to the front as we had booked. "You have a booking" to which we said yes m for four. No name was checked. He went away and we saw a table being sorted, but this was not for us but for a party of two who had been waiting in the microscopic bar area. He returned "You have a booking" as you can imagine we answered a little more tersely " Yes you just asked us that. We were led to the bar area and told it would ten minutes. Looking around we knew this was totally untrue, a large party had not been even served drinks, and the other tables no one was past a starter. I went to the Japanese/Thai restaurant opposite and was told I could have a table in five minutes even though WE HAD NOT BOOKED. By the time icam back, retrieved my party and crossed the road, our table was ready. A really sad and...