Tapasya@Marina — Restaurant in England

We came here this saturday and were absolutely appalled by the way in which we were treated.

We were made to feel like second class citizens from the get go and things went down hill from there.

Upon entering the restaurant, we waited behind a couple who were given information about the NHS track and trace app and asked to download it. They asked to sit down at their table whilst they downloaded it which was completely ok. When it was our turn, we were told that we needed to download the app, show that we had checked in before we were allowed to enter the seating area. We were told that this was a legal requirement (which is not true) and they refused to let us sit as we waited for the app to download. My friend asked multiple time if we could sit down as it downloaded instead of awkwardly standing by the entrance but this was denied.

Eventually they won and we had downloaded and checked in before being shown to our seats. The waitress came around with the QR code that we were already made to scan at the door and it became clear that everybody else was given the opportunity to sit down first. The menu required a smart phone with internet access and no physical menus were available or so we were told.

As we ate our food (which I can’t fault) we called over the waitress 2-3 more times to ask for more water and to ask them to bring out the next course. It took a lot to get her attention and when we did she would make little gestures with her fingers to indicate that she’ll be with us in a bit as she walked past us. This isn’t generally how adults communicate with one another. The use of gesturers instead of verbally communicating almost made it seem like we were unworthy of a ‘I will be with you shortly’.

We asked for the bill and I found it odd that she printed out the bill but instead of brining it directly to our table, she went to have a conversation with customers on the table behind us before dropping it off without saying a word.

We asked to split the bill. She looked at the receipt and said that came to £25 something each. The total was £45.30 and I’m no mathematician but that didn’t sound plausible. So we used our phone calculator and showed her the correct amount. Here comes the bizzare and outright suspicious part.

In light of covid, contactless payments promote a more sanitary environment where money and cards do not need to be handled by multiple people. She took my friend’s bank card out of her hand, didn’t show her the card reader screen at all before tapping her card on the reader. I thought nothing of it until my friend had to ask for a cardholder copy. The waitress seemed taken aback by this request but she fortunately managed to print the receipt and then turned her attentions to me. I put away my credit card whilst this was happening and I decided that I would pay using apple pay (on my phone) so my card wasn’t handled by her. She reached out to take my phone from me to which I pulled back and said I needed to keep my finger on the touch ID button. I said I would like to tap it myself for this reason and she lowered the card reader. It was still above my head and I was unable to see the amount entered. So I thought I was within my rights to request to see the screen and I asked her to lower it further so I could see the screen. She was very offended and started muttering something along the lines of ‘do you think I’m going to overcharge you’. I thought back to her earlier attempt at maths and honestly I would not be surprised. Contactless failed so I had to insert my card. I noticed that she didn’t look away as I began entering my pin and I had been feeling very uncomfortable already so although I didn’t want to cover my pin in an accusatory matter I felt that this again was in my rights so I proceeded to do enter the pin under cover of the other hand. She looked more annoyed than ever. We thanked her and she left without another word. We left shortly after and didn’t get so much as a goodbye from another member of staff...

Went with another couple to celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary. Had not been before but heard good things. Was a beautiful place with excellent staff. Not your usual choices on the menu, much more of an up market Indian restraunt, with about 12 starter choices and 12 main choices. Details about your doors but no indication of spice or heat so remember to ask. I had the scallops which were cooked beautifully but the lentils although great were very spicy which was not indicated. I managed but another may leave them and at £10 that's a waste. Really lovely food and a great place on the marina. Loos were great too 😁 Will look forward to returning.

Second visit Aug 18. Returned with same friends as had really enjoyed last visit. I had the paneer as a starter and the other three had a sheek kebabs which said lightly spiced!!! My hubby managed no problem, the other gent managed but found it quite hot, the lady could not manage. I tried a little of my husband's and it was very spicy with a chilli afterkick to the throat. She was unable to eat it. We then had mains of bass fillet in a mild spice..Not too bad but I did scrape the spices off the fish which still left it nicely spiced bit not too bad. The other gent had a possin which was again spicy but bearable and the lady had fillet of pork which was delicious but with vegetables which were so strong they were again left. I know it's an Indian...I know it's not your typical Indian cuisine and is sort of posh Indian but there needs to be some sort of indication of level of spiciness so people do not end up wasting such a lot of money on something that seems to look lovely but is inedible to them. We do not all have the same tastebuds. Even if there is a little ' this is a mild dish' comment type thing on each item rather than numbers or chillies or something. Or if the staff are prompted to tell people that things are of a certain heat/spice level rather than leaving them to guess. It's a great place, lovely environment, clean and the staff are great but we probably won't return as it's too hot and miss with whether the food can be eaten and for the prices it's not...

1 star for service. Been to this place so many times but the service is so hit and miss. A lot of aggression and passive aggressive behaviour is felt at times. Management staff rather than getting to know you as a regular customer tend to ignore you as if you are only a regular so no need to go all out for these people they keep coming back due to the food and are not really fussed about the customer service. Well they’ve got it wrong. They’ve lost very good customers who have been shouting about this restaurant to family and friends since we discovered it. Food is amazing but the service we’ve had over the past 3/4 times is not acceptable. This goes out especially to waiters wearing the suits. Not sure whether they are front of house or what. Not very welcoming always looking stressed and very snappy if asking a simple query regards menu. Saying yeah, each time after ordering a dish and then walking off when we are not even finished placing the order. The short Asian guy in the suit very rude too, he really needs to get off his high horse. He needs to treat all his customers the same way. Don’t judge a book by its cover comes to mind with this guy. He’s just lost some big spenders for the restaurant. Customer satisfaction goes a long way especially when you are spending a lot of money each time. It’s a shame that it’s had to come to this. The concept is so good but management skills are just average for a high end supposedly restaurant. Also need to look into dusting and making the glass cabinets smear free. Not a good look when the sun is...