Copper Kadai Wembley — Restaurant in London

Restaurant Review: A Disappointing Experience with Excellent Service ( Not worth the pounds)

Notes: 1.Once served old chicken had digestion issues. Once served uncooked chicken. Replaced (excellent customer service) Chicken portion is smaller than a baby chicken. Photos are provided in the photos section.

Date of Visit:08/07/2024

Overview

On my first visit, the experience was satisfactory. However, subsequent visits revealed a significant decline in food quality. The only consistently positive aspect was the excellent customer service provided by the staff.

Food Quality and Portion Size

Rating: 2/10 The food, particularly the chicken, was highly disappointing. The portion size was abysmally small, with pieces so tiny that there was barely any meat to bite into. For a dish priced at £10-12, this is unacceptable. The mayonnaise served was below average, and the take-away portions were minimal. On one occasion, I was served an uncooked chicken. Although the staff promptly replaced it,

Atmosphere and Dining Experience Atmosphere: 4/10 Dining Space:3/10 The restaurant's atmosphere is not particularly inviting. The space is limited, with cramped tables for two and slightly better arrangements for four and six people. The hygiene standards were average, with a 6/10 rating for cleanliness in the dining area, toilets, and washing area. The washing area is equipped with a low-quality dryer and lacks tissues.

Authenticity of Cuisine Kerala Cuisine: 6/10 Arabic Cuisine: 6/10 While the dishes aim to represent Kerala and Arabic cuisines, they fall short of providing an authentic experience.

Customer Service Rating:10/10 The standout feature of this restaurant is its customer service. The waiters are exemplary, attentive, and quick to address any issues, as demonstrated when they replaced my undercooked chicken without hesitation.

Conclusion In summary, the excellent customer service cannot compensate for the poor food quality and inadequate portion sizes. Given the high prices, the overall dining experience is not worth the trip. The atmosphere and hygiene also leave much to be desired. For those seeking authentic Kerala or Arabic cuisine, there are better options available.

Overall Ratings: Food: 2/10 Service:10/10 Atmosphere:4/10 Dining Experience: 3/10 Hygiene:6/10

Final Verdict: Not...

Copper Kadai, situated in the prime area of Wembley, is conveniently located just a few minutes' walk from Wembley Stadium and Wembley Central station. While the location is ideal, parking can be a challenge due to limited street parking in the area. For Kerala cuisine enthusiasts in Brent and Harrow, this restaurant is a welcome addition, offering a taste of home in an area with few Kerala dining options.

The first thing that stands out at Copper Kadai is the exceptional hospitality. The staff are incredibly pleasant, friendly, and welcoming, going out of their way to keep kids entertained and explaining signature dishes, a level of service not commonly seen in Wembley. The floral arrangements in the interiors add a charming aesthetic touch, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The food, while decent, doesn't quite reach the heights of London's best Kerala restaurants. The Chicken Dum Biriyani was spot-on, but today's special, the Nellika-Kanthari Chicken mandi, was disappointingly dry. The rice accompanying the chicken did not complement it well, making both dishes feel like separate, dry components rather than a cohesive meal. The Kerala Porotta was also dry, and the Beef Olathiyathu failed to impress. Hoping for a redeeming dish, we tried the Fish Curry in coconut milk—a staple that rarely disappoints in Kerala cuisine—but unfortunately, it missed the mark as well.

However, not all was lost. We continued to explore the menu and found a few delightful items. The Pazham Pori and tea were excellent, and the drinks, including the mojito and Nannari Sarbath, were quite enjoyable. While the food may lag behind other notable Kerala restaurants in London, such as Muziris in Ilford or Udaya in East Ham, Copper Kadai still offers a decent dining experience.The exceptional hospitality of the staff helps to mitigate some of the shortcomings in the food, making it a pleasant dining...

A Family Dining Disaster: Save Your Money! I'm genuinely baffled by the 4- and 5-star ratings for this place. My recent visit with my family and kid was a significant letdown, and I strongly advise you to save your money and eat elsewhere.

Unprofessional Service & Shocking Policies The customer service was abysmal. The restaurant appears to be run by students without any professional waiting staff or a manager, leading to a truly inefficient operation. Waiters seemed utterly uninterested. We had to ask multiple times for basic items like tissues and plates. We requested cutlery two to three times, but only received two spoons for our family of four. When we asked for an additional pappadam, they charged us for it, which is fine, but there was no courtesy in how they served it.

I was honestly taken aback when I overheard a waitress informing the next table that they don't serve tap water. I can't imagine what the cost is to serve basic tap water! Despite being a small establishment, we had to request water, and they brought water bottles instead.

Cleanliness was equally concerning. The seating chairs were dirty, and the washroom was in an unacceptable condition.

Food Fails & One Decent Dish While the Chatti Choru was decent (4/5), the rest of our order was largely disappointing:

Paal Kappa with Fish Curry: A complete disaster. The kappa was watery, and the fish curry had absolutely no flavor. It felt like eating bland starch in gravy.

Kizhi Parotta (Chicken & Beef): We didn't even touch it after one bite. Completely unappetizing.

Pazham Pori with Beef: This was surprisingly okay.

Tea: Tasted like it was made with milk powder, and the sugar dispenser was filthy.

Lime Soda: The sugar was undissolved at the bottom, showing a complete lack of care.

Appam: Looked fine; our toddler ate it, so perhaps it passed...