Ashoka — Restaurant in Sheffield

Really rude manager!!

On 06th April after a long Saturday we had planned to go there for dinner at 7:30pm. We had booked a table 3 days prior.

But on that day, things changed and after an unexpectedly tiring trek we ended up having that day in peak district we weren't in the situation to sit in a restaurant and have dinner. We decided to cancel the table and thought we could order a takeaway away to head home.

To be decent to called 45 mins prior our booking time to inform the same. When we informed the manager on phone call he seemed so disturbed and literally said "I was suspicious you would cancel the table. It's really not good. Anyway, have a nice day. Bye". We stopped him and said we would like to place a takeaway order.

What he said next was the most bizarre. He replied "What, are you serious? Oh my god, I don't know what to say. Give me moment , ah oh god! Ok I can't do anything, give me your order". We were so perplexed with what he said, but still went ahead with giving our order for 2. His response was "that's it?". We said yes and He said it will take atleast 30mins.

We really regretted placing the take away order!

We went there after 35mins to collect our order, and found the same person on the reception. When we went in and attempted to remind our order, he literally stopped us midway and rudely mentioned he knows and asked us to wait. We then confronted him that we did not like the way he spoke to us over the phone and that he was rude, and that we were decent enough to call and cancel as unfortunately our situation changed. All that he would do is constantly cut us off midway every sentence and say "no problem, have a nice day". His response was no unrelated and it was clear to us he is not going to accept his undoing let alone apologizing for the way he spoke.

It had been 2 years since we visited the place and hence zeroed down on this place. After this incident, we are never going back to the place and never recommend this...

Ashoka is a cosy and unobtrusive restaurant, it is essential that you book in advance to avoid disappointment.

There is a beautiful smell as you walk in through the door which combines with the paraphernalia to create the impression of being in the first class dining car on the orient express rather than at the heart of Sheffield. The attentive waiters balance swift professional service and a friendly welcoming tone. The attention to detail goes further with your bill you get a pack of biscuits from India, and the after-dinner chocolate mints have the restaurant logo stuck on the wrapper.

When you are seated you are greeted with popadums and an astonishing range of pickles. The mango chutney is thick with mango chunks and is not overly sweet but still intensely moreish. It is clear much thought has been put into the menu, familiar dishes sit alongside equally enticing dishes that I have never heard of before. Each dish is described with it’s own little story. I will not say that it inspires authenticity as the word is used to commonly these days; it's more like you are hearing stories of someone’s home through the food. Take the Cricket Pakora described as "Grandma’s recipe with mixed vegetables, made whenever India played cricket".

Don’t be fooled by the size of the portion by the time you have finished you will be left with a satisfied feeling. The dishes are not overly greasy or indeed overly spicy, their charm lies in the subtle complexity of the flavours. Even the plain naan has a sprinkling of nigella seeds to bring out the best of the savoury flavour. I would like to come again as part of a group to share a collection of curries with, that way you get to experience more of the flavours this menu has to offer. It is very much a case of quality over quantity, that being said, at the end of your meal you will not be...

My wife and decided to go after a wet Easter Monday. Unfortunately due a lack of communication we both booked on line for 6.30. To avoid them having a empty table we decided to go for a pre dinner drink and pop in and tell them of our mistake and cancel one table. I spoke with the man in charge who was sat at their booking computer detailed our mistake, which he then checked and cancelled a table , we duly said we would see them later and left for a drink. Imagine our surprise when we returned to be informed that both our tables had been cancelled and just given to walk in and the 1st table available was 7.30. Understandably this was unacceptable and despite our protestations the manger was adamant that it was our mistake. This was particularly annoying given we had a friend with us and we are reasonable regular customers. Luckily we were able to get a table up the road at Priti Raj and to be fair the food there was better and cheaper [and I am not just saying that and they have a significantly better choice]. Obviously we will not be returning but given the Manager's attitude I sure he will...