The Village Massala | Indian Restaurant in Rhuddlan — Restaurant in Wales

After reading the great reviews of this place, me and my family decided to book a table for dinner, but to be honest, very disappointing with my experience. Being myself in the industry for over 30 years, the whole experience at The Village Massala was a very poor experience. Started by order two double gin and tonics, but only received one and had to ask for the second one, which is not a great deal as a mistake can happen, but after receiving the second drink noticed that the first one had a slice of lemon but there was none on the second gin, also the drinks were warm despite of me asking for some more ice, but never got it. Asked for the wine list, and a minute later the waitress came back to take the wine order without even looking at the wine list as we were still looking at our menus to decide on the food but the waitress came back insisting in taking the wine order, when i ordered my wine, it took a while to arrive at the table, as we were nearly finished our starters and the house was not full, there was only a couple of tables in the restaurant and the staff was behind the bar chatting with the person that i identified as the manager and he was the one who brought my wine to the table without even showing me the bottle and brought me a very cheap bottle of sauvignon blanc instead of the one listed in their wine list. Anyway he opened the bottle he brought me on the table beside mine and pour the wine straight into the glasses and brought to the table afterwards, which i found it very bad and poor service, but accepted it, after all that is not a fine dinning restaurant, in my opinion it is very poor to be honest. Anyway, being kind of a wine connoisseur, i asked for the wine list to confirm that was the wrong wine and asked the waitress why i had been served a different bottle of wine without being informed, as if i knew they did not have that wine, i would have chosen a different one, but the waitress didn't seem apologetic or sorry about it and brought me the right bottle of wine and i asked why i was not given the right one in first place, but she didn't bother with it and not even apologised for it, but what to expect from a canteen like that, hein? Moving on, after she brought me the right wine, i had to ask her to take the first bottle away, the glasses and bring some fresh glasses, as she looked like she had no intentions of doing it, which i call a very poor customer service, but hey, is a joke place to be honest, with 3 tables, 4 staff and no one bothered to come back to the table for a satisfaction check, wow, that is bad, but this is not all, the food was indeed nice big size portions but bland and tasteless, however the garlic naan bread, was not too bad after all. And as that not being enough, we were thinking in order some deserts and coffee, but instead we were brought our bill without even being asked if we wanted anything else, but we tried and asked if we could have an espresso coffee but the "waiter"if he can be called as such didn't have a clue what that was but after we ask for a coffee he told us, no, so it looked like for some reason they were just trying to get us out of the restaurant, as no desserts were offered, no teas or coffees, absolutely nothing. So will definitely not going back there and do not recommend it, try to avoid it if you can. Very poor service and the food was not that great, it tasted like frozen microwaved food rather than fresh food. After all, absolutely rubbish and a rip off as the manager himself didn't seem bothered after i spoke with him. Very bad experience, and very poor...

I've visited here a few times and it can be hit and miss what service you get. So I'll start with when I tried to book a table here. I got cut off and told we'll see you between 3-5 didn't take my name didn't take him many seating, nor what time. I rung back again in disbelief that they hung up the phone. Again I was met with a rude manner and had the phone put down on me for the second time. I wanted to ask about their Sunday deal they had on. But didn't even get chance to ask.

Upon arrival it seemed ok, place was dead by 8.30 on a Sunday. Took our orders and couldn't seem to understand that I wanted a chicken tikka masala with garlic and chilli after a few minutes trying to explain he left and the chef came out to ask me yet again that our order was correct. Poor communication skills, lack of should I say.

The food was nice, but was let down by the service. The bill arrived and was shocked that they charge you so much for poppadoms. For s meal for two with two drinks it cost just under 50 which I found very expensive. Considering it was half the price and you got more only a few hours earlier.

Truth is I wouldn't of gone knowing it wasn't the Sunday special, I find nearly 11 quid for a curry that is only half the size compared to takeaway then having to pay nearly 4 quid for rice. I'm stuck shocked I got charged 6 quid for poppadoms.

If you going to offer a special I'd recommend having it longer or cutting off service when that deal ends. If I had been spoken to correctly and with attention when I called I would of found out that the deal wasn't on, but the food is nice but massively spoilt by the treatment from the first phone call.

It's not the first time he's be experienced this, but seeing as it's my local curry house it makes sense to go there but I won't be visiting again and I won't be recommending it either as I found my experiences with you just not a nice atmosphere, service wasn't great.

Time before this I walked out as the server just didn't have any regard for us. Table got drinks, poppadoms before us. Out drinks hadn't even been served then er told them to cancel them were leaving. The lad who served us just looked like he didn't want to be there and when er asked where our drinks where he replied with I've told them to sort it yeah, chill. He was a young lad, so maybe not much experience with customers, safe to say we walked out. And the food inspector was in too, so think they felt overwhelmed but still shouldn't stop them providing good service.

I'll be going else where for my curry, can't justify spending £15 on over priced food that didn't offer...

Never ever realised that we will have such awful experience. We were 15 people and were looking for an Indian place for a dinner party. Ended up spending £360 app.

I truly don’t understand why this place is falsely reviewed with 4.5 which made us believe that it’s the best in town.

Except popaddum and Naan bread, we truly didn’t like any of the dishes. I generally don’t give such review however I believe the review rating is completely wrong. It has misguided us and I’m sure there are/will be many who will disappointment.

None of the food is Indian to be honest. They don’t taste Indian. The spices aren’t cooked properly, lamb and chicken was chewy and hard which means they weren’t cooked up to the right temperature to bring out the flavour. Prawns were ok’ish but not Indian again.. Pulau rice was just coloured rice less boiled and hard.

When we came out, we even realised that it had 3 food hygiene rating out of 5 which was a much poor rating and we generally avoid going to such places. Staffs were friendly.

However I must admit that it was full and I believe it’s because the restaurant is branded as Indian which gets the audience. The food doesn’t speak for itself. Will avoid and will not recommend for people who like Indian food. We don’t eat such poorly cooked food.

#Edited- Post response from Restaurant ————-

Wow! Great response to a customer review.

I really don’t bother as a customer as I’m not doing business here and you’re the one. Let people decide seeing at your response unless you delete it..

Btw do you think we gonna spend money again visiting the place to have such tasteless food? You better enjoy cooking them and serving your loyal customers. We will definitely stay away from it. Check out our review for Indian Buffet company in Rhyl. I’m sure you will enjoy 😉

And we try and give genuine review as a foodie and at least know what...