Very disappointing. We live on the London/Essex boarder and always come to this restaurant when in Plymouth for diving competitions. Been here many times ans always had a nice experience here, but after this time we will not be back. Booked a table for 6 pm and were being hurried up at 6.45pm. At 7.15 a lady waiter came up to us and asked if we would mind moving as they had a big group arriving. We were almost finished so said it was fine as we were literally leaving anyway and did not need to be moved. She still insisted on explaining they had a big group coming and she needed to clear the table. The table had already been cleared by another staff member???. There was 1 glass and a bottle on it. Not sure what her urgency was here?? We were already disappointed as we were sat upstairs next to another couple who were told when they arrived that the table needed to be cleared by 7.30 and they agreed. Nobody said anything to us when we arrived about our table needing to be cleared by any specific time, if we had been told this we could have made our choice to either leave or to hurry our food down and be out by the time they asked. Felt like we had been shoved in a dusty old cupboard. We also ordered 1 chicken momo to start as this is a himalayan restaurant, we expected that it would actually be a homemade chicken momo......when it arrived - they had put 2 orders through -but we didn't say anything as we were OK to have one dish each rather than sharing. Which is what we were going to do. What was served was not homemade himalayan chicken momos but Costo Chicken Gyozas?!!. I buy these myself and you can get a massive bag of them for around £12.00!!! Not great. We were then told we had to go downstairs to pay out bill. So, next time I'm in Plymouth and fancy a himalayan meal - I'll just bring a bag of Costo chicken gyozas with me and maybe go to a Macdonalds after......I certainly will not be going back to Himalayan Spice. Lots of other restaurants to chose from, so not like you need to go there if you fancy an Indian/ himalayan meal. Very disappointed as we have always made a point of visiting this restaurant whenever we are in Plymouth -...
Read moreOne of the stranger restaurant experiences of my life. I am Indian and went for dinner with my white partner. When the first curry (mild) arrived, we were bewildered as it tasted extremely sweet, as in at least 3-4 tablespoons of sugar. We picked out the meat but couldn’t eat the curry. Not wanting to be rude, we thought we would order a ‘safe’ tomato-based curry. This one too was wildly sweet. At this point we gave up and asked for the bill. The server noticed we hadn’t eaten much and asked why, I explained to him that the food was very sweet. He said to me that he knew this and they intentionally sweeten the dishes far beyond anything normal in Southeast Asia or anywhere else I’ve ever been in the UK in the years I’ve lived here, to please the local British palate. My partner has been eating food from the subcontinent for years and called these curries ‘inedible’. The server went on to apologise for becoming ‘confused’ around my race, saying that if he thought I was brown they would not have over-sweetened the dishes. He then proceeded to tell me that I look like a ‘Britisher or Chinese’, making unnecessary gestures around his eyes to explain this. He added that because my partner is white and ordered mild curries he assumed they should add copious sugar which he said he knew made the dishes poor quality. At this point I had to clarify that they adjust the flavour of the dishes according to the perceived race of the clientele, which the server confirmed. Incredulous, I spoke to the restaurant manager who repeated this all to me again. They both told me plainly that they knew the food was not nice and would not like it themselves, but did not offer any discount including my NHS discount as it was not a weeknight. Needless to say, we will...
Read moreA Taste of Nepal in a Charming Setting Our evening at The Himalayan Spice in Plymouth was a delightful culinary adventure from start to finish. Upon entering, we were greeted by a modern reception and a well-stocked bar, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience. Food: ★★★★★ The meal commenced with tantalizing starters of Onion Bhaji and Garlic Mushroom served on Roti, setting the tone for what was to come. The traditional Nepalese main courses, including Gurkhaki Lamb Shank and Murgha Moghlai, were flavorful and expertly prepared by chefs Kishor and Krishna. The side dish of Sag Paneer and freshly baked Nan and Paratha complemented the mains perfectly. Despite our full stomachs, we couldn't resist sampling some Nepalese beer, rounding off the meal beautifully. Service: ★★★★★ The gentle and friendly waiting staff provided impeccable service throughout our visit, ensuring our needs were met with warmth and professionalism. Ambiance: ★★★★☆ The downstairs dining area exuded a cozy charm, with rustic interiors reminiscent of traditional English coastal trading styles. While the space was intimate, we learned that a larger dining area is upstairs, offering more seating options. Location: ★★★★★ Nestled next to the famous and historic Elizabethan house, the restaurant's location adds to its allure, providing a glimpse into Plymouth's rich heritage. Overall Impression: ★★★★★ Our experience at The Himalayan Spice was nothing short of exceptional. Every aspect of our visit surpassed expectations, from the delectable Nepalese cuisine to the welcoming ambiance and attentive service. We felt thoroughly satisfied and eager to return for another culinary journey...
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