Raj Pavilion — Restaurant in England

After walking from the train station, I was disappointed to have to wait several minutes without a greeting. Once seated, I then had to wait ten minutes before someone came back and I could ask for water. During that time I wandered back up front to ask for water, but no one was around. Found the wine menu which was not offered to me. I ordered an appetizer and wine at the same time, and expressed some impatience with the slow service. Water glass already needed a refill and it never came. The server sort of apologized and said he would bring the wine with the appetizer. I informed him I was ready for the wine immediately. It then took ten minutes before the wine arrived. I hadn't figured out what I wanted for my main meal yet, and had to wait an excessive amount of time before anyone came back to take the order. 30 minutes later, I flagged down a server and expressed that I was trying really hard to be patient, as I don't have many chances to try Indian food. I told him I did not understand why the appetizer would be taking so long, when there were only a few other tables. He did not apologise, just said he would check. Once I received the appetizer, I began to believe the wait might be worth it. It was the Mushroom Puri, and it was incredibly delicious! Unfortunately, the rest of the food did not arrive until a full hour later, during which time my water glass remained empty and I had to flag down a server again for more wine. Do not order the house red 🤮. There was only one option for wine by the glass. Some credit is due to the server, who found a better wine for me to have by the glass. When I expressed that I wasn't sure if it the food would be worth the wait, he said "I know." No apology. The rest of the food was okay. I was there almost two hours, and the restrauant was not even a quarter full. I would hate to think how long it would take if the place was busy... If the service and food is always so slow, it should be noted on the menu so that people can decide if they want to spend that much time there. Also, special attention should be given to keeping the water and other...

Well for a start, customer service is very low key. Turned up with my wife and one guy was on the phone and another sorting paperwork out. We stood there for 10 mins before an English lady said she'd be a few minutes. So seated us OK and gave us menus. Instantly we were asked what drinks did we want and if we wanted poppadoms. Not yet to them and could we have a wine list. The restaurant wasn't busy, so I ordered a draught beer and a bottle of wine. We were then asked for our order, we said give us 10 minutes as it's a big menu. OK, then we gave our order. So the poppadoms came with the pickles. The lime, chopped onion and a jam. Nothing particular for 2 quid. Well food wise, my saag paneer tasted of honey or something very sweet which isn't normal. My special was tonnes of spinach with lamb and it did taste ok. My wife had biriani and rice. Well, it was a mountain of rice and very little else. The prawns in the rice were Well overcooked and like rubber. Very heavy on the chillies too. Three other couples came in and just had chicken korma and tikas so I guess they're OK. For my wife and I, it wasn't that good and yes, there is 30% off but we left 30% of the food. Didn't ask for the leftovers for takeaway. Would I go back, no. Nor my neighbour who tried to say don't bother !!. This place needs to gee up its front of house and maybe cut its menu in half (even more) and do a better job. Quantity over quality doesn't work. There are better places...

This is a difficult one and such a mixed bag of comments. Construction going on outside makes it awkward to get into the place but thats not their fault. The interior is top class. They have put a lot of effort into it. The service was also top class.

Where I was let down a bit was the food but not with everything. The chutneys and dips with the popadom were great and plenty full which you will see from the pics.

Got a mixed platter for starters. It looked great but I thought elements of it were bland so lucky I had the dips. Overall it was fine.

Now for the main dissapontment. The main course came out. Got a simple chicken madras with a roti.

The rice was odd. I got a very small plate. No where near plentyfull for the curry I got. Just seems very odd to me.

The curry was a bit too watery for my taste and some of the chicken was a bit chewy but got loads of it. Wasn't that hot for a madras. I am someone that likes to see some natural ingredients or at least taste them.

In conclusion, like the restaurant, the vide but not crazy about the food but I would not avoid it. I feel, I too need to give it another chance because of all...