Jaipur Indian Restaurant Woking — Restaurant in Woking

Food was good. Service was poor, with two issues that I had to point out to the waiter.

I would ordinarily overlook these mistakes, (details below), but they added insult to injury by automatically adding a 10% 'service charge' to the bill.

If I think I have received good service in a restaurant, I will often leave a tip. But if you want tips, you need to provide a good service.

Don't guilt people into paying an extra 10% just by adding it to the bill in the hope that they won't notice it, or will feel too uncomfortable to ask you to remove it.

For this reason, I strongly object to restaraunts automatically adding an optional service charge. I'm sure it is good for profits, but the customer feels strong-armed into complying. It's just a money-grabbing exercise. If you want 10% extra, add it to the price on the menu.

The two issues were as follows: One plate had curry stains on, so I asked for it to be replaced with a clean plate. They also brought one main meal that was not what my wife had ordered, so they replaced it, although the rest of our party had almost finished eating when her replacement meal arrived.

I'm not saying either of those things were a huge problem. They weren't, and ordinarily I'd just accept that people make mistakes, wouldn't say any more, and would have given them 3 or 4 stars.

But I think I'd be right in saying that it wasn't an example of good service, and therefore, even if it is restaurant policy to add 10% service charge, they shouldn't have added it on this occasion, as service was clearly below par.

I won't be returning to this restaurant unless they change their policy on automatic...

Twice when I have been here with a pre booked table I have walked out before being seated. First time I was asked how long we would be eating and seemed to be an inconvenience to the staff for being three. Told the guy not to bother if it was a hassle and left to go to another restaurant nearby where there was a "Welcome, how are you, please come this way to be seated" attitude.

Last night had booked a table here again as I had put my last experience down to a one off - thought it worth another try. But nope, this time, despite the whole Corona thing, we had booked for 7pm. Had lots of emails about being on time, extra safe etc. Got there on time and waited in the queue outside. Eventually the people in front decided to see what the hold up was. Went in, never came out. By now we were over our booked time so I went in also. Other masked up diners were standing waiting, the guy who went in before me said "Good luck, this is a bloody shambles". I approached the guy behind the counter who was busy on the checkout. No acknowledgement, no eye contact, not a word. I felt a bit like a ghost standing there. He decided that he would just ignore me and walk away.

As a big believer in the saying "If you don't look after your customers, someone else will" we decided to go elsewhere. Had a lovely meal elsewhere and won't be going back to the...

Restaurant nearly full as we passed, so thought a good sign. Wrong! Service good and attentive, asked for 2 poppadums received 4, was charged for 4! Then the mains came out..... I had Naga, my go to dish. This is an extremely hot dish, but also very favourable. Not here. No taste, just pure chilli and as for the powdery texture! My partner had the Dhoom, described as the - (The real curry) chicken or lamb cooked with pungent spices in a caramelised onion gravy(medium hot). Again all that could be tasted was a jar of curry powder ! Plain chicken overcooked! We were told that the Naga is different at different places, well that may be the case, but no taste at all? really - nah, not accepting that. The Dhoom, why not, as always nice to try a different dish that restaurants offer. My partner said that she's had curry sauce on chips tastes better! Manager did remove the Dhoom from the bill, nice, but as soon as this was being discussed the atmosphere towards us totally changed, no offer of making another dish, would have thought that a better option. Feeling uncomfortable sitting there while we finished our drinks, we stopped drinking and left. Shame but hey, others enjoyed from...