Purnima Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Sandwell

This is a basic curry house that is trying to be more than that and failing. Attention to the basics, and training the staff properly would make a huge difference. Drinks were disappointing, the food a little better but not outstanding. Simple things like listing Craft Ales on the menu then not stocking them (in deference to 7 choices of mainstream lager). Or like giving away free shot glasses of bucks fizz which appeared to be made with orange cordial (!) and certainly not champagne. Or asking us to try a new "very special" red sparkling wine, served with huge lumps of ice, when the staff had no knowledge whatsoever of what it actually was (beyond stating that it was "special", red, and sparkling). It was sweet and horrible. The wine list was eclectic and confusing - some really expensive wines for a curry house, but not a single vintage listed. Staff that couldn't speak English led to a series of comical errors. The food was better than the service. Puppadums were OK, but the pickles were sparse, runny and unexciting. Chicken Roshni was genuinely delicious, saag paneer pretty good, and peshwari naan very acceptable. Tarka Daal was delicious once it got brought back to the table hot. The Lamb Tawa was school mince and peas, and the paratha stiff, dry and totally inedible. Service was patchy to say the least, the staff tried hard, but the combination of things being unavailable, and orders and requests being misunderstood left us sometimes mystified, sometimes bemused. A number of items we consumed were left off of our bill - we were unsure if these were recompense for our dissatisfaction, or just further misunderstandings. Gratefully accepted though. The team here would do well to focus two things - giving customers what they want when they want it, and raising the bar on the food. There is nothing wrong at all in trying to make a curry house extra special, but not when flimsy attempts at style have no substance, and basic standards fall off...

Wasn't the best curry house we have been too. The host was just covering and it seemed like he was having to do a lot of chasing as the staff were not at their best. Our table was missing various items, side plates and napkins and we had to take some from the next table to us. They were slow on taking orders and getting certain foods out to us as we had to wait a short time for our rice dishes while our main dishes were on our table. I had a bhuna and found it quite bland. My partner however did enjoy his chicken tikka masala. We had our son with us and unfortunately he saw the chocolate mints as we were paying and the host noticed he was trying to grab them, so saw it upon himself to give him a handful which we gave him a couple and gave the rest to the others and then the host have him more. We didn't mind thr gesture but because we limit his sugar intake I did think it was a bit excessive. Probably wouldn't go again although we have had take away and sometimes the food had been better so worth just trying...

This restaurant never fails to disappoint. I went yesterday with my partner and had the best food we've eaten for months. We started with fish pakoras and the mixed chicken trio, both were perfectly cooked, tender and bursting with flavour. Mains were lamb karahi and the railway lamb, with the usual pilau rice and garlic & coriander naan. The balance and depth of flavours were exceptional, which really sets this place apart from the local competition (which is strong and plentiful), as does the service; we were served by a guy (the owner i think) who is a character to say the least! His knowledge of the food, wine and industry is amazing and has got many stories to tell which are hilarious! I'd give the food 9.5 out of 10 but even if it was lower, the friendly, professional and welcoming service, make Purnima a must place to visit. It's so much more than 'popping out for a curry'. As good as it gets. That's high praise from a curry addict from Birmingham, the...