Gunpowder — Restaurant in London

Had the most painful experience after waiting for more than two hours for getting into the restaurant.

Please be aware that the restaurant doesn't accept any reservations over the phone. But they do have a queuing system at the door. Once you reach, they put you on a waitlist. The tool they use is pretty fancy. Bear in mind that the queuing system is only used when the restaurant is full, which it was in our case.

There were 5 of us. And two of us reached around 19:15 to get into the restaurant. The staff told us there is a 2-3 hour wait. We decided we will take our chances. We got on the waitlist and also got an SMS at 19:19 which had a URL. On clicking the URL it showed our position was 10. At around 21:30 we were in position 2 on the waitlist. The restaurant closes at 22:30 so we decided to walk to the restaurant and see if we can get a seat.

The most unfortunate part starts now -

The staff said BLUNTLY, that at the time of putting us on a waitlist they wouldn't be able to guarantee a confirmed seat. And I agree that they can't guarantee, and yet we put ourselves on the waitlist hoping for a chance.

At around 21:45 when we reached the restaurant, the staff told us that since the kitchen closes in around half an hour it would be difficult to accomodate us. On questioning, why they didnt inform us via an SMS stating that it would not be possible to serve a table, their reply was that their restaurant timings are available on the website.

So we left the place to find some other place for dinner. And NOW the staff conveniently removes us from the queue.

The thing that bothers me is this -

If we had waited for their SMS, which I'm sure would have never come, we would have been left hungry.

They can remove us from the queue BUT not inform us that we can't get a table.

So basically their fancy queuing system is UTTER WASTE. They expect to follow it when it comes to queuing, but when it comes to informing customers they don't bother. Its left to our own best judgement.

On inspecting the website, you can see that they don't offer any photos of their place. I have put up a photo of their place from Google Street View and you can clearly see how tiny the place is. Which in itself is not an issue if they know how to manage people well. Queuing system in London is used everywhere. What we were most appalled at was their reply.

I am sure the food is good and that's why there was a long queue. But I would never go there again just because they don't bother about people who have waited for more than 2 hours. And if you can't care about people who are waiting then you don't...

Gunpowder is a true gem for anyone looking to indulge in authentic Indian cuisine with a modern twist. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with warm smiles and an inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The highlight of Gunpowder is, without a doubt, the food. Every dish is crafted with precision, bursting with bold, vibrant flavors that transport you straight to the heart of India. The menu offers a perfect balance of classic favorites and innovative creations, but three dishes stood out as absolute stars: the Okra Fries, the Saag Paneer, and the Aloo Chaat. The Okra Fries were an explosion of texture and flavour crispy, light, and seasoned to perfection. They were the ideal appetizer, leaving us craving more with every bite. The Saag Paneer, on the other hand, was a comforting masterpiece. The creamy, spiced spinach paired with the soft, flavorful paneer was simply divine, showcasing the chef’s expertise in blending spices and creating depth in every mouthful. And then there was the Aloo Chaat, a delightful combination of crispy potatoes, tangy chutneys, and perfectly balanced spices. Each bite was a symphony of flavors that kept us going back for more. A special mention goes to Rose, the manager who looked after us throughout our visit. Her attention to detail, warmth, and professionalism made the experience even more memorable. Rose went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect, and her recommendations were spot-on. Beyond the food and service, the ambiance at Gunpowder is cozy and stylish, with just the right mix of modern aesthetics and cultural elements, making it a perfect spot for both casual dinners and special occasions. In short, Gunpowder isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. If you’re looking for a restaurant that offers delicious food, exceptional service, and a memorable atmosphere, this is the place to go. Don’t leave without trying the Okra Fries, Saag Paneer, and Aloo Chaat 😊 you’ll...

Very cute and busy restaurant just a spit away from Spitalfields. I met J there at 5.30pm and we decided to go grab a pre drink at the Ten Bells before we got a table. Only half an hour later we arrived back at 6pm and it was rammed! We luckily got a small table for two immediately. It’s a bit of a squash as I estimate it seats about 30 people maximum in quite a narrow space punctuated by a small bar, but there is a lovely fun buzz so you don’t mind sharing your space with strangers. Our waiter was gorgeous, so lovely and friendly and very helpful with the menu. The menu itself is not extensive but normal sized for a modern sharing restaurant. There were lots of dishes to choose from if you are vegetarian too. We shared the venison doughnut (exciting and unexpected), shredded duck wrap (oozing with umami), beef curry (unusual to find beef on an Indian menu so we happily ordered, it was delicious, really rich and warming with a dry sauce that clings to the tender beef strips) the paneer with saag (soooo creamy and delicious) a bowl of rice (perfect) and the sticky pork ribs which we had to get packed up to go because we were totally stuffed. We eyed off our table partners whole half broccoli which looked so appealing, carved off piece by piece on the table and their dessert of spongey sultana goodness. After a bottle of the Chenin Blanc and our many plates we were too full to order dessert unfortunately, maybe next time! I preferred Gunpowder to their sister restaurant Madame D’s across the road, but J said he thought the menu more innovative at Madame D, but I prefer deliciousness over innovation any day. We went for our anniversary meal so went a bit overboard, all in all spending £75 for two with a bottle of wine, service included. No bookings so...