Dhamroo — Restaurant in Oxford

I decided to provide a detailed review as the restaurant requested feedback via email. I believe this platform serves as a more appropriate avenue for sharing our dining experience. Our visit to the restaurant was impromptu, prompted by my wife's craving for Indian cuisine. Despite not having a prior reservation, the staff graciously accommodated our family of five. They were cordial throughout our time there. However, we found the pricing to be exorbitant, particularly considering the offerings included in their 2-course meal (£35 per person) or banquet option (£39 per person). The staff informed us that there were no à la carte options available.

My wife and I opted for the banquet, and also ordered strawberry lassi and soft drinks. Regrettably, there was no designated kids' menu available. Our 3-year-old and 6-year-old shared starters and butter chicken with us, as they aren't good eaters. The chicken lollipop was good, the kids loved it, but the Kala (salmon) was just average. Due to dietary restrictions, we couldn't have the venison samosa, which was substituted with chicken lollipops. However, the wait for our main course was unexpectedly prolonged.

Upon its arrival, we found the portion sizes of the curries adequate for adults. However, I was taken aback by the meagre serving of one small Kerala Parotta (flatbread) provided alongside. My wife opted for rice, which she shared with the children. Then she ordered another Kerala Parotta for her, which came for £5. The flavour of the Butter Chicken and Prawn dishes was passable, nothing extraordinary to meet the standards expected of a Michelin guide establishment. Our experiences at local Indian eateries in Oxford had yielded superior tastes.

The Lamb Nirgiri failed to impress, as the lamb was barely discernible amidst a mishmash of green paste. The beef curry disappointed with its stale taste and below-average seasoning. Despite our best efforts, we found ourselves with leftover curries due to the insufficient bread portions provided. This seemed to be a deliberate tactic to encourage additional side orders.

We could order more bread if the curries were great, but we packed the leftovers and left the restaurant hungry and unsatisfied. When asked about the food, my response was a lukewarm "it's OKAY!"—a sentiment that was likely misconstrued as praise.

The establishment lacked amenities catering to families with young children. There was no high chair for our 7-month-old, so we had to cradle him throughout the meal. This further detracted from our overall experience, adding to our disappointment. Overall, the dining experience failed to impress, and we cannot justify revisiting or recommending this...

As a Malayali, the disappointment started with the rice in today’s Sadhya. It wasn’t cooked properly – it needed at least five more minutes of boiling. Rice is the heart of a Sadhya, and when that fails, everything else feels off.

The curries lacked Kerala authenticity. No spice, no depth. Sadhya is close to a Malayali’s heart, and this was a complete letdown. The only dishes worth mentioning were the parippu curry, kichadi, cabbage thoran, sambar, lemon pickle, and parippu payasam.

The serving order was wrong and completely unorganised. For a restaurant that caters to an English crowd, this was the perfect opportunity to showcase how it’s authentically done. And the excuse of toning down spice because “it won’t suit the English palate” is tiering. English people love Thai food, and Thai cuisine is famously spicy. Be proud of Kerala food and present it as it truly is.

The aviyal was disappointing – not made the traditional way with curd. If it were, the taste would have spoken for itself. I travelled all the way from Basingstoke to try Bhoomi’s Onam Sadhya, having visited your Cheltenham branch last year. Even then, the a la carte menu felt a bit watered down, but I still gave the benefit of doubt. This time, it was clear – authenticity is missing.

I genuinely don’t understand the purpose of opening a Kerala restaurant and then shying away from showing Kerala’s real flavours. The Sadhya lacked love. The curries were all basic, nothing that stood out or showed any effort to go above and beyond. The kheer as a “gift” is noted and acknowledged, but again – kheer isn’t even a Kerala dish. And to top it off – no Onam songs. Strange, and honestly sad.

I don’t know what’s going on with the people running this restaurant. If you need someone for taste-testing before next Onam, I’d be happy to step in and help bring the food back on the...

23rd December 2022

• Please Read the Entire information for clearity **

The Protocol and service that is been applied in the restaurant is absolutely not worth dinning in to get a satisfied Food experience , which I believe should be systematic as well as customer friendly.

1. Service Food ordering is very complicated and the staff is clearly unhappy to tell about their own policy of fixed menu. 2)menu While the order says 2 course or banquet menu only each for £35-39 respectively. To order a small plate extra it’s £10 and other wise common orders like Alcoholic drink which are know to everyone is just £4(it is for sure a foolish strategy in the name of INDIAN Restaurant) Also if you are a student and u are willing to pay for 1 basic Masala dosa 1 plate of 3 Aloo boonda (Aloo Wada) And 1 small cup of Rice for £35 … (Note you cannot share your plate with anyone inspite of paying for it by your own card 🤔) Please try the hotels below mentioned for best taste and value for money.
2. Staff Response When we discussed all this with the manager and staff they say “It is the policy and our owner is business oriented doesn’t care about expense or customers demand. They are Michelin Registered hotel and they are only making money…” (Well oxfords is a student city🫢) No students are seen dinning in this peek time of Christmas December

Afcoz staff says what they must be going through everyday.

4. Recommendations in Oxfords,UK

Try

Dosa Park. Fantastic South Indian taste

Curry Door For North Indian customised Taste.

& 4500 miles Good Entire Indian Menu.

Worst Experience for the first time in South Indian Restaurant.

Zero Valued Michelin Registered Restaurant.

I hope you work on your strategy well and think of retaining customers than keeping a track of hourly based...