India Villa — Restaurant in Uttlesford

We use India Villa regularly for the Sunday Buffet and also for take away. We love the food and really enjoy going there. Last Sunday 23rd February however we had booked a table for 6 - then increased the booking to 8 guests. our table was booked for 1pm and we arrived on the dot! the restaurant was totally empty apart from us. We were shown to our seats by a new member of staff who was rather annoying with his rush rush approach and his 'London Boy' accent. We had only been seated for 5 minutes when he came and told us to go get our buffet as he is closing at 2pm? I said the Sunday Buffett usually runs through to 3pm? his answer: "not today it don't!" We hadn't even received our first drink! all through the meal he was hovering and making silly comments (trying to be funny - which he wasn't). We had no time to order a dessert or coffee because at 1.45 he was at the table AGAIN beginning to clear our plates - some of us were still eating. He totally spoiled the family get together we were all looking forward to, and if on my next visit to India Villa I spot him waiting on tables we will immediately leave. What a shame - its...

Such a shame.

The restaurant opens at a reasonable hour, so eight of us arrived at 5.30pm for dinner (four children and four adults). We were promptly shown to a table in pleasant surroundings by a friendly member of staff.

Our drinks order was taken and delivered in two halves, 15 minutes apart. Our food order was taken and delivered after 45 minutes (there were four other diners in the restaurant besides us), but all of it was cold. Not even warm, but cold. Once the waiter was informed, the manager came over and told us that it wasn't our fault (correct), but also wasn't his fault (errrrm) as the hot plate wasn't working properly. It was the hot plate's fault. Of course, this meant the food had been sitting for a while. Having children with us meant we would eat the food anyway, but expressed our disappointment. Thankfully, the food tasted ok.

Once we asked for the bill, we were given complimentary shot glasses full of pineapple juice. And an ice cube. So not much pineapple juice really. Oh, and a 15% discount on our significant bill.

We won't be visiting...

Food was just one step up from mediocre but what made me really uncomfortable was all the staff putting pressure on me because I was the last customer, though still way into their displayed opening time. However, they charged me exactly the same as anyone else so why should I not get the t same courteous service as earlier customers. Patience should be in the nature of any staff working for members of the public, that's why it's called waiting staff. Are you inpatient by nature, well get yourself off those business and try something like firebrigade or...