SRI RATHIGA — Restaurant in London

Takeaway before starting shift. I normally write a small review, purely cause when I am looking for reviews I would want something short and simple and straight to the point to make my decision. Sorry to any potential customers, bloggers, review readers and someone who just wants to know if the resturant they looking to go into but need to rely on reviews. Oh apologies to the owner and staff. But you do have 4 stars, not 5 as I will explain why later.

Always walk past it, as its in my local area. There is a place for drinking and eating indian nearby, but as I was working this was the best option. I am stunned to see almost all night's it's busy. Sir Lankan/South Indian medium size restaurant. So I thought let me try some noodles for takeaway. Having always McDonald's or chips and pitta made me crave for something different. I love cooking but no kitchen at the moment and where I am I don't feel comfortable.

Went in, around Sunday 3pm. There was 1 large family inside with tables placed side by side to cater for, probably they had it reserved for a special occasion. I went up to the counter grabbed the menu whilst waiting for staff, Went straight to the noodles section and saw 4 types. My theory on food is always try once. I have a big appetite, a food junkie. When out with friends or family I eat all leftovers but not if I didn't order something I didn't like.

Anyway I asked the staff when he came to the counter, I want noodles. He replied mild or spicy, (come on me being British Asian Hindu), don't we love our spice, so I said spice. So he said go for the schezwan, I looked at the menu again and realised that it had 3 star chillies against it and others didn't so said yes right away. I also asked how long to make it, around 10mins, perfect for timing. Next time if I liked it I could order over the phone ready for collection. But I wouldnt do that if its my first time.

When came to paying for it, I was a little disappointed that Paying by card, I would be charged as it was below £10. I had cash, failing that I knew there is a few cash machine in the parade for withdrawal. Gave me a chance to do something while I wait. I paid and waited for a few minutes then he came out with a bag, yes my takeaway.

I see a carrier bag with another paper bag and then a food container with my food. I feel what a waste. Straight away and I do that with many food outlets, give back unnecessary packaging as I was going to eat it in short amount of time. The plastic carrier bag was returned. As I was going to eat it in the car, I checked for receipt, napkins and fork. Nonr, so I akse for it.. fork. I got many when asked but obviously took what was required to help the climate change and reduce waste.

Now it was against time to safely reach work to enjoy it hot. The smell was irresistible despite good packaging urging to take bites on route. Was it worth it, of course it was. The only thing it made it give 4 stars was £6.50 when I paid £5.50 with the same size. The payment of card not possible for small amount. The food was great, container and fork robust. I hope this has helped many and the resturant. Oh, no photos,...

In a nutshell? AVOID if you have a flair for taste and quality and expect some basic common sense service

Want more detail? read on: Went for dinner with a friend. Food was very average. Don't try anything other than southindian because all other dishes would not even qualify as average taste. We ordered one sabji and butter naan. Naan was stiff and hard. Not cooked and tasted very bland. We ordered crispy savory and the server had no clue how its supposed to taste. She made three rounds to kitchen until we decided to leave it and not spoil our evening. Cook was clueless as well.

They shouldn't explain items from their menu which they aren't sure. But as typical indian style, they come across as if they know what they are talking about until the dish arrives and you realise it was a mistake to go by their explanation.

The worst part is their attitude. I wouldn't call it rude but just plain laid back. Again typical indian style don't care disposition. Starters came right half way through and soon they had main course ready....they just dumped main course on table without asking, leaving it to go cold and dry. I don't think it takes too much brains to realise that main course should be served only when asked for not when cook wants it out of sight or servers want to clear their serving list. But as i said, who care when management is indian, severs are indian and even customer are almost all indians/asians.... So what if its in London, we Indians are great at leaving the mark of our behaviour everywhere. And by the way, I am an Indian as well. Born and raised in India, so not trying to be racist here. I just spend 20 years of my life in India in this culture, so i can spot the attitude and relate to it.

Our main course was sitting on our table for 10 mins till we finished the starters which was served very late anyway and by that time the main course had turned into something I would never eat had it not costed so much. All this delay when there were only two other tables occupied in restaurant. One can only imagine the service levels when its busy. When we asked for an empty bowl, the guy just gave us a blank stare as if we were asking for Aladdin's lamp :-)

So at one point I was asking myself why i even bother coming here when Rose(now mumbai junction) restaurant in Kingsbury is just 5 mins drive from here. I am surprised at those other good reviews. I guess they have not been to restaurants like Rose or Sarvana Bhavan etc which is where you can see a clear difference in quality and quantity. Hence, i say avoid. If someone is still unsure, go to those other quality indian restaurants and then compare. A message for management too, to up their game

Overall, the food was very poor, the service was appalling and the very laid back don't care style attitude. So value for money? I...

OVERCHARGED and TERRIBLE SERVICE

SERVICE:

It took them 15 mins to hand us the menu card and had to still be reminded for it. Water was served on being reminded as well.

OVERCHARGING:

First thing - They claim to know JAIN food and serve too. But, on ordering, I was told, JAIN food does have potatoes in it.

*Guys, please note that - Anything that has potatoes in it can never be called JAIN food at all. Please either get this fact right or DO NOT claim to be serving jain food.

Now, coming to the way they overcharged me -

-- POINT 1 -- We had ordered JAIN "Masala dosa" which they accepted from the menu as "Madras Masala Dosa" and it's on the menu, priced at 5.50 However in the bill, they have added something called "Matoke Masala dosa and charged us 6.50 While I agree this is not abnormal, but at least I should have been informed about it instead of adding 1 pound each for the 2 masala dosas we ordered.

-- POINT 2 -- Another thing we ordered was JAIN "Masala tiffin", in which they agreed to make the sub-item mini masala dosa as "Jain" I was served the dosa with potatoes and the above mentioned discussion about jain food happened. On being corrected, the waiter did exchange the dosa with the correct jain masala dosa But, he charged me 1 pound for this which was clearly the restaurants mistake.

On being highlighted all this, I was told there is a 2 pound charge additional for any JAIN item, which is not mentioned anywhere on the menu or the restaurant display anywhere. This obviously was not so right. However, I decided not to argue further as it was not worth for the amount which was just 3 pounds.

However, I left the place feeling sad at being fleeced 3 pounds off me, which didn’t feel right. Just highlighting for the sake of others.

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