Spice Of Bengal — Restaurant in Sefton

Three generations of my family have been coming to this restaurant for well in excess of 25 years and we have NEVER experienced such a dreadful decline in customer service. We are gutted as we have so many good memories of coming here, but I am afraid the attitude of the manager and staff is nothing short of dreadful.

I brought my family for an early dinner on Saturday evening. The restaurant was almost empty and we were the only people on the right hand side of the restaurant after another couple left very shortly after we arrived.

The waiter brought over some plates and put them down at the end of the table and told us "I am not reaching across you". Sounds and IS perfectly acceptable (COVID19!), but you'd have to have 'been there' to see how it was done. ok - move on!

We always order more onion salad to go with the poppadoms and this visit was no different. We all noticed the attitude was definitely one of "Really? You want more?", but nothing so bad that we felt there was a big problem. We always say 'please and thank you' yet the drinks, poppadoms and replacement onion salad were all delivered and placed on the table without any "you're welcome" or "here you are" - nothing.

We asked if we could order some starters with after the poppadoms as we were hungry and wanted more time to look what we wanted for main course. The waiter took the order (again very unwelcoming with any answers to Qs we had about the starters), but, fine. We finished the order and he asked what we wanted for main course. We told him, again, that we would decide either during the time we waited for the starters or after the starters, as we always do wherever we go. Then we ran into a problem!

The waiter told us we are not allowed to order starters separately from the main course. Totally perplexed, and perhaps thinking we've misheard him, we asked again and why. We were told "it's the rule Sir" and "it's how we like to do it". Long story short, still in disbelief, we tried to understand and were told "you can order now and ask for a delay of anytime you want but the kitchen have to know what you want now". Sorry - but this did not make any sense and especially given that the place was almost empty. My eldest son and wife also tried to understand but he keep repeating it was "how they do things and what is our problem with it?" We said we'd skip starters and think again about main course.

The manager passed by and so we asked for a quiet word and honestly thought it would be a misunderstanding. How wrong we were! He was even worse and whilst not aggressive, he was one of the rudest people I've ever come across. He kept talking over us, repeating the same thing again asking "why don't you do it out way" "What is your problem in doing it how we do it" and, most frustrating of all, could only tell us that the reason it had to be this was because "it was easier for them". Unbelievable. An empty restaurant and they want "ease of work" to come before a reasonable request to order main courses separately. In total frustration we tried again to explain that this was unreasonable, how long we've been coming to the restaurant and that, surely, we would not have to forgo starters just because "it is easier" for them. But, yes, that was indeed the situation!

We told him that if there could not be compromise that we'd leave and go elsewhere; he was happy. We were not rude, didn't shout or insult anyone, but, I'll be honest, it was one of the most frustrating restaurant experiences ever. We paid the bill, expressed our disgust in either (a) their inability to offer ANY flexibility to their rules or (b) that they do not trust us to order main courses after a starter. We left and went elsewhere to another restaurant and needless to say we will never return under the current management. The manager refused to share the owners details and so we will write to the restaurant and the owners via official company sources in the hope of some common sense and an...

Coming to this Indian for 20 years, usually lovely service and lovely food, but we had not been for some time due to Coronavirus. Unfortunately, our experience this time was not great; service was terrible, the manager was rude and he refused my family service because we requested to order our starter and main course separately.

From start to finish the service was hostile and unwelcoming. The waiter who seated us said nothing, he merely pointed at our table.

A new waiter then came over to give us some plates, put them on the table and said “I’m not leaning over you (to give us our plates)” - without explanation or niceties or offer of taking our drinks order, he walked away. After some time we had to wave over a waiter to take our drinks, who seemed very bothered by us, like we were interrupting his busy day.

At this point we have noticed the overall demeanour of the staff was exceptionally poor. But we were willing to put this down to a bad day or maybe even just a bad start. However, the worst was yet to come.

Unwilling to let the bad start affect our mood, we planned to order some starters; and then see if we want anything more; before we go on to main course. This was apparently unacceptable to our waiter, with no explanation he walks away refusing to take our order. After getting the managers attention - who originally told us he is busy and we should wait for him to be free.

When he finally comes over, he tells us not to be difficult and listen to his staff, we begin to explain our preference for having our starter first, then taking a break before taking our main course. This was once again, unacceptable. We explained that we have been coming to this place for many years, and the manager says that this is irrelevant he is here now and doesn’t remember us. Well not going to lie, that was disappointing - because we had been loyal customers for a long time, and though he may be new - we were not.

After accepting once more that things were not ideal, the manager came back over to my family and showed us there official policy and pointed to the clause saying “the manager refrains the right to refuse service” - utterly shocked. Very disappointed, because we loved going to this place. However, we will leave you (the readers of this review) with a piece of good news.

As a result of the poor service we received at the Spice of Bengal, we headed to the Bombay Blussi, 5 minutes away (in Birkdale) which gave us a phenomenal experience, great food, great service and great location! So rest assured - our night was saved - and we would highly recommend any readers of this post to go there instead as we will be doing...

ABSOLUTELY Fabulous 🎉😁😁

We are so lucky to have this wonderful restaurant in our village, and within walking distance of our home. We have been going here for many years and we have NEVER been disappointed. Sometimes we eat in, and sometimes we have takeaway: either way the food is excellent. Everything is so clean and fresh: lovely lean meat, fresh sauces and lovely crisp salads. The cutlery and crockery are always spotless, and hot plates are always given for the hot meals.

The staff are always so pleasant, friendly and caring: nothing is too much trouble. Earlier this year we celebrated a family birthday and submitted a very, very large order. Shortly after I had placed the order they called me back just to double-check exactly what my young nephew wanted on his chicken kebab, the staff just wanted to make sure that they got everything right.... And they got EVERYTHING right, despite the enormous size of the order 👍😁

I took chocolates in for the staff the next day to thank them.

Thank you guys, you are all fantastic. See you very soon. Fondest...