VEL - Reading — Restaurant in Reading

I'm not even happy to give one star ! I was a frequent visitor for the last 3 months; I've been there for 4 or 5 times because of the food taste. But recently I had really bad experience. I ordered one mutton biryani. After waiting for more than 45 minutes, they brought chicken biryani. Basically, they are not preparing "south indian" biryani, though the shop is meant to be "south indian" cuisine.

Anyway, I told them that I had ordered mutton biryani. They took away the plate and they came with mutton biryani after 15 minutes.. Do you wanna know what they did? They just took out all the chicken pieces and added the mutton pieces instead; then they fried the so called "biryani" with so much oil.. Can you believe this? Chicken pieces were all over the mutton "biryani". What if, I'm allergic to chicken? And biryani is one of the main and famous dish in South India. Everybody love to eat biryani. I can't believe they are making some fried rice in the name of "biryani". Well, that's a different story..

They ruined another dish too but they didn't charge for that as they knew already it was rubbish.

OMG, another one., Prawns chukka?!! . They made some tomato gravy (we used to make for dosa at home) and put the prawns in it. Seriously...???!!! Do you know what is chukka means? Please see some youtube channels before you make chukka..

I'll never go there and I'll never...

My first visit to Vel was for the buffet breakfast on a Sat in Dec. Suffice it to say, I left 'very' unimpressed with 'no' desire to return. However, decided to give the place another go and try their weekend lunch. I was pleasantly surprised! There was a wait for the food to be served but once done, it was a welcoming and tasteful experience to tuck into. The chicken biriyani is definitely worth a try! Nice 'ooru' taste. I most certainly did enjoy my lunch on the afternoon and would recommend the lunch buffet for those looking for a nice South Indian meal. Worth a try!

I did return to try the breakfast once more on being told it was under new management now, Feb onwards. The chutneys could certainly improve in flavour but overall it was enjoyable! Certainly room for improvement. The coffee served me for whatever reason had a burnt and a bitter taste to it but I enjoyed the tea tho' I'd have preferred it a lot stronger. Spoke with the Manager, Vignesh who was pleasant and polite.

If they hone in on their customer service as also provide authentic South Indian dishes, they will do well as they are in a prime location for those looking for some...

2nd review following today’s buffet lunch (30/4/23). Shame I had to change my 5 star to 1 star from my previous feedback. I’m writing with great disappointment as there were no non-veg varieties. Only 2 chicken menu that too less quantity which got finished by the people standing in the front . The refill of all the dishes including white rice took ages. You either had to stand and eat to grab the dishes or give up and eat only veg varieties. Again the taste wasn’t best . No salt in basic sambar dish . Although the gentleman in the till offered discount for my genuine feedback, we paid in full as this feedback is for improvement of service and business not for price reduction.

(Previous review based on food ordered -in picture )I have visited the place before, probably about 2 years back . Then I visited this restaurant today for lunch with my parents . It is under the new management and the food was amazing. Close to authentic South Indian home made food. The customer service was great especially a friendly chat with Vignesh and Chef Dharma. A lovely lady who served the food was so friendly and caring . Would definitely...