Spice Island — Restaurant in England

I went here a few years ago and gave the restaurant four stars. Having returned, recently, I am dropping my review to two stars.

When I called to make a reservation, the gentleman answering the phone straight up asked me if I was actually going to turn up. This immediately put me off. I understand that some places have problems with customers booking and then failing to show up, but there are probably politer ways to speak to people making a booking.

When we got there, the gentleman who greeted us seemed to be the same man as answered the phone. He was very friendly and polite, and everything seemed fine.

I remembered that the last time I visited, the Vindaloo wasn't particularly hot, so this time I tried ordering the Phal, which should have been considerably spicier. I have had Phals in other restaurants and they are normally at just about the upper limit of my tolerance/enjoyment. Sadly, Spice Island's Phall wasn't noticeably hotter than their rather timid Vindaloo.

My sons both had tasty curries (deliberately mild, as they don't like very spicy food), and I couldn't argue with the portion sizes, price or flavour. When I mentioned the lack of heat in the Phal to the manager (the only person working front-of-house), he replied that he had given me something relatively mild because he wasn't sure if I could really handle spicy food.

This on its own limits the place to two stars. There is a distinct lack of trust from the management towards customers.

Two days later, we ordered curries for delivery. Mostly the same items, but with one of our Vindaloos switched to a second Phal. Again, the Phals just weren't particularly spicy, despite our insistence, on the phone, that yes, we really did want spicy food.

I have no idea if Spice Island is actually capable of serving really spicy food, as I have never had any from there. I can say that their food is flavourful and generously portioned for the price. The restaurant is cleaner than the last time we visited, with no lingering smell of cigarette smoke in the toilets anymore. The management, however, is off-putting and I am not sure if I would bother trying for spicy dishes for a...

Got a takeaway tonight. Walked the 2 minutes home and when unpacking the first dish it was overflowing with sauce so spilt everywhere. The paper bag was broken and wet through with sauce. It was boiling hot and burnt my hand so I dropped the container and some spilt on my dog and burnt his back. Put him straight in a cold shower to wash but his skin is red and may need the vets. I called to tell them and they asked me to return the order. I did, minus the spilt dish. They replaced the order minus the spilt dish as they did not check the order they just replaced what was in the bag. I walked the 2 minutes home and realised the dish was missing. Called them again and they said I did not bring that dish so they did not replace it. I said I will fish it out the bin and bring it back. Took it back and they said it was my fault as I did not explain the missing dish. I did. Clearly. The chef then came out and blamed me for the badly packed bag saying they always pack it like that and have no issues. I advised i have had plenty of takeaways a never had this isdue. They were not apologetic about the burns or the distress to my dog. The burn is in the groin area and the chef asked to see it as proof. I told him i was not willing to show him that area of me. He then laughed and called me a little girl. I'm in my 40s. Rude. I asked if I bring the entire order back will they refund it and they said no. Wish I'd paid by card. Do NOT recommend this place in any way shape or form. Avoid like the plague as they are not interested in good customer service, just being right. The food is also not worth the money as I could make better curry using a jar from Aldi. If I could rate them zero...

Absolutely disgusted by this place. Was given a delivery time of 7.45pm after ordering at 6.20pm and didn't turn up, I rang at 7.55 and they said the driver was on the way and would be 10 minutes. I then rang up at 20 past 8 pm and they told the driver was on the way again! I couldn't understand so I said "sorry what did you say" and the guy hung up the phone while I was trying to find out where my order was after waiting 2 hours!! So I rang back up to ask about getting my money back and cancelling but he wouldn't give me any information other then you'll have to find out with just eat. The food then arrived and I was absolutely mortified that they serve this food it's absolutely shocking I wouldn't give it to the dogs! The korma was just water, the garlic naan which had been in one of theose heat bags with the tinfoil insides was absolutely stone cold which clearly meant the food had been stood hours! The poppadoms were soggy and the worst of all was the chips! The chips had the same texture as they old chips you warm up after a night out off the left overs of a kebab and were so grey I have photos to show how mank they look! They were definitely more then a couple days old and this place needs a serious inspection and having a good look aolute disgusting service, food and the worst Indian in the north east! For everyone giving good reviews I generally would advise for you to actually try ANOTHER DECENTindian and you'll see the massive difference in this absolute gae I'd rather go to Asda for a...