Spice Guru — Restaurant in Reigate and Banstead

UPDATE after three years ...I am not local, and cannot compare to other restaurants in Reigate, but when visiting a friend, I have looked forward to a good meal at Spice Guru. I am pleased to say that the lamb has returned to previous high standards, and so I am re-adding a star. In my opinion, the food is very good. The restaurant is quite small and not brightly lit, generally providing a nice atmosphere. It is accessed by a small doorway from the street, directly leading to fairly steep stairs. The staff have always been friendly. The toilets are at the top of the stairs (accessed via a door from the restaurant). They are small (single toilet in gents and ladies), and to be honest, not pleasant, hence the lack of a star. 3yrs ago, for reference The food has always been very good, but on my last visit (Dec 17), I was disappointed. Over a period of time, I have had several lamb dishes here, and all have been very tasty, with good quality meat. On this occasion, the lamb was not good. It was 'stringy' and one piece had gristle/fat, exactly what I try to avoid. Another friend also had lamb, with the same poor quality meat. NB I only order lamb when the reviews/reputation are very good as it is a meat that can be very poor to the point of being disgusting. Funnily enough, I understand Spice Guru announced to my friend, that they had just been voted 2nd(?) best curry house in Surrey (I have been unable to verify this, the highest I have found is 7th). An odd time to let standards slip. Hopefully they will rise once again on my next visit, although that could be...

My first impressions going up the stairs to the restaurant was it could do with a clean/Hoover refurb, to make it look attractive as you enter. The waiters were friendly, good service didn't wait too long for food, tasted freshly cooked. Portion sizes for starters were very small did expect more for the money! amount of meat could have been more for the main too, There were vegetables in the dish but too much and not enough of the meat. Bearing in mind yr paying for the meat mainly not the added vegetables. Found it expensive for what we had. Because the entrance was a bit grubby didn't want to look around too closely once inside in case i saw something I didn't like. The lights were dimmed, so couldn't see around easily anyway. It was an okish experience. I won't be rushing back anytime soon. Having said my husband ordered a take away and they didn't put his main meal in, they said would send it in a taxi straight away... a whole hr plus later it arrived, this is from Reigate Merstham...

There cannot surely be a better restaurant for Indian cuisine than Spice Guru. If there is, I have yet to come across it. As a party of 4 we ordered up a mixed starter tray, leaving the contents to the judgement of the server (Jay). We ended up with a palette of samosas, chicken tikka, kebabs with salad garnish which we consumed in short shrift alongside the stack of papadoms and assorted pickles. Absolutely delicious. Followed up with an array of main courses, mine a lamb Begum Bagaar, with side dishes of saag aloo, vegetable curry, cauliflower bhaji followed with Irish coffees and ice cream. What a wonderful meal. Couldn't fault anything - all super delicious and the service impeccable. Highly recommended but very popular so need...