Star of India Cheam — Restaurant in London

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my family and i (4) came here as a part of the eat out scheme and we were shocked at the behaviour of staff and the management of the bookings.

we had a booking for 7pm and we arrived about five minutes late, there was already a very long line waiting outside the restaurant when we got there. we had a conversation with many people in the queue and found out they were all bookings also for 7pm and had been waiting outside in the rain.

we joined the queue and 20 minutes later they finally started seating people. when we finally got to the front of the queue another family of 4 behind us were ushered to come into the restaurant. when we asked the waitress why they were being seated before us, she said she had been told to seat them first. we complained as we were first in the queue, so she went to get a manager but did not come back. after all that messing about, another family of 4 who had just arrived (literally from the street, the mother skipped the queue and went inside to complain despite us telling her about the bookings) were seated before us in 10 minutes after we had been waiting for 40 MINUTES IN THE RAIN. my dad and brother went in to complain as the other family had literally just arrived and there was still a massive queue, but they were told the family had a booking for 7:40pm and therefore took PRIORITY over a 7pm booking. in the end, we were tired, hungry, upset with the way things were handled and...

I used to be a frequent customer of the Star, for some 10 years in fact. However, more recently they treat you appallingly in there. I arrived with 2 companions with a view to be seated. I was told there were no other tables available other than a table for 4 by a very loud group of women - chavy types. I asked whether the other tables on the entrance side were available as we wanted a quiet meal. However, I was assured that these and a table of 5 on the other side were booked and that if a table were to become available they would move us. I protested 5 minutes later to a visit to the loos and the (eastern European) waiter said it was the table we had or the option for another restaurant in Cheam. To cut a long story short, we were lied to as no one turned up for any of the other tables and we were forced to have an uncomfortable time on the table neighbouring the loud and disruptive group! Very disappointing and they have lost a customer because of this. We were lied to,...

We have been visiting this restaurant for a number of years. We have nothing but praise. The popadoms are always fresh - we have never had a "yesterday or late afternoon" popadom. The chutneys are fresh and talking about that each and every lamb dish we have had is always tender and absolutely tasty.

Having been to so many restaurants over the last 25 years, this has got to be the best. We love the Jalfezi, and the veg dishes have a clean taste. Only gripe is I like the Jalfrezie served in the karahi (not on a plate), even though all plates are heated. On the point of gripes, the menu betrays the quality of food, being a plastic laminate, it stopped us from trying this restaurant for months! So dont let that put you off, the food is really special here.

If you love Indian food, try this place. They have great flavour balance and exceptionally fresh produce, including the lamb (we dont eat chicken so have not tried those dishes). 10/10 and...