Bnova Indian Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in London

Today, I attended a weekly networking session hosted at this restaurant as a visitor. While others enjoyed paneer or chicken tikka wraps with salad and chips, ready plated for them, I had a vegan meal request. I was served a bowl of mogo (in a small oval serving dish) initially and later informed that roti would be provided, which was eventually served in a bread basket. When I inquired about the absence of chips and salad, I was informed that chips weren't included as they were fried with other items (fair enough). A small bowl of salad was brought out upon request. However, when I asked for a plate to properly enjoy my meal, the owner became irate, stating he wouldn't provide vegan options in the future. My simple request for a plate was met with hostility, despite its reasonable nature. This lack of customer service etiquette was disheartening and raised concerns about accommodating individuals with allergies. The incident left me hesitant to return to the restaurant or engage further with the networking group, as I would be compelled to contribute business to an establishment with such poor customer service. Additionally, the serving of kulfis alongside the mains, leading to them melting before they could be enjoyed, demonstrated a lack of foresight. It's important to note that I was part of a networking event, and witnesses can attest to the validity of my request for a plate and the dissatisfaction with the service provided. I don’t recommend this place. There are much nicer restaurants to give your business to, who would appreciate and deserve your patronage. Spend wisely and support those who support...

The manager was very warm and welcoming. We also were surprised with a delicious amous bouche which the kids wanted more of. The tandoori roti tasted fresh and delicious.

Some of the food did not taste fresh. The aloo tikki in the chaat was hard and difficult to chew, most likely from being reheated.

We went quite early so it was almost empty. It was a little chilly inside and there was a strong smell of disinfectant-which could mean that they had just disinfected the place.

UPDATE:

I am by no means a restaurateur but I do eat out a fair bit.

Here are my suggestions as a patron.

From my experience and needs as a vegan/vegetarian family we truly appreciate good quality ingredients (eg: fresh vegetables and herbs and yoghurt or dahi) and freshly prepared meals in a hygienic setting and cannot resist if there is extra attention paid to healthier options.

We much prefer a smaller menu with guaranteed freshness and flavour than an extensive menu with endless options and questionable freshness. It’s obvious when food is prepared fresh on the day with quality ingredients and when it’s reheated from the freezer.

I can suggest the following for the ambience: without spending too much money you can make a huge difference to the comfort of your patrons. Temperature, air quality and smell, lighting, can go a long way and doesn’t have to cost much. Like warm LED 2700-3000 K bulbs rather than bright white fluorescent. Maybe even Dimmable.

I hope this is taken onboard as constructive feedback and...

We tried it for the first time yesterday. We ordered chicken tikka, chicken tikka special, chilli paneer and Peshawari Nan. I’m almost giving up ordering these dishes from Indian restaurants as for some reason the chicken is always cooked to the point all juicy succulence is gone. One of the dishes was made with chicken thigh and you have to really overcook thigh for it to be dry. It ended up being so ridiculously dry it couldn’t be enjoyed. Even the complimentary mint and chilli sauce didn’t help the food. There was no garnish so it was just a very uninteresting meal. The chilli paneer was ok. I’d say average as it was not a dish that would make me return but neither was it awful. The Nan was nice but one cannot order Nan alone, plus we’ve had better.

Once upon a time it was possible to get fluffy fresh Nan with the most succulent, tasty, delicately spiced chicken tikka with fresh salad, those days seem to be long gone. Sadly, for some reason much like the stunning chicken dhansak, this now remains a dream of bygone eras not a dream any existing restaurant can deliver.

EDIT jan 2024

The owner has either mistaken us for another client or is being deliberately misleading. If we buy food out we have the funds to buy or own drinks and we do not ask for free drinks. How much are drinks? By the way, adding garnish to dry food doesn't fix the problem. Concentrate on the feedback to improve your food, instead of silly replies, people spend money wanting to enjoy their food not to be...