Mela Modern Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Boston

DISCRIMINATORY SERVICE, will not ever return. Please note, I posted this on Yelp and they want to protect Mela's racist behavior and as such removed it. I went it on Friday after having been there before (though this evening was the worst I'd seen), and though 4 employees were there, none greeted me. I stood there awkwardly while the female server pretended not to notice me though she was facing me and about 5 feet away. Eventually I was sat by one who was nudged by the server on the phone to seat me (the person on the phone was only one who wasn't aware of me standing there until he eventually turned around). No one came to take my order for so long that it was time enough to see the female server visit the other two tables and ignore mine. I'd seen her before and she only stares at me as if she's never seen a Black person before - horrid and incredibly rude. Eventually she sent the person who sat me my way, but as another table, of two White women, came in, she quickly went over to take their order. Additionally, and most shockingly, I would look up once in awhile from my dinner to see one them staring at me from across the room. Each. One. Over the span of a half hour. I couldn't wait to pay and leave, and will never return. I know it has nothing to do with me as customer because I'm always just reading the news on my phone if I've there on my own and tip 20% routinely. How are you a restaurant in Boston, if you antagonize Black customers this way? As I mentioned in the now deleted Yelp review that explained all of this - you do not deserve my service, and therefore your restaurant will no longer receive it. I've also turned several friends, of diverse backgrounds, away now that they know what the atmosphere at Mela...

Editing my review after a recent incident at this place.

CHEAP, DISGUSTING, VERY AGGRESSIVE WAITRESS (one in particular), WORTHLESS OWNER.

If I had the ability to rate this place 0 or even negative (-) stars, I would do that.

First I used to like to go this place, as they at least had some decent food before, now they don't even have that.

Secondly, the reason behind this very bad review is a recent incident, when I went for buffet. The food was not at all above average and the service was definitely not good. I did not like the behavior at all and that is why I did not find any reason to add any single penny of tip. The waitress (who actually did not serve us at all or even showed us a table) called us in and said we forgot to add tip, when I said that I did not add it because I did not like the service, she was so furious and became aggressive to us and literally DEMANDED for tip, which was a little shocking and unbelievable to me; on top of this, the owner was actually supporting her and did not say a single word to her but asked me to pay/give tip to her. I took out my wallet and gave almost all the cash I had there. She shamelessly put all of them and went inside (that was actually unbelievable act from a person who I assume would be a student). I expected at least a sense of respect from the owner or that shameless waitress to their customers which was missing BIG TIME in them.

An advice to owner: Pay your waitress/workers at least that much that they wouldn't have to beg/fight/demand/become aggressive for tips.

An advice to the waitress: Get yourself some self respect and earn the tip rather than demanding or...

Went today on a rainy Thursday, January 24th. Got the Tandoori Chicken and a side of garlic Naan (this of course came with a side of white rice). Unfortunately my waiter had a strong accent, spoke quietly, and seemed to know little English which made communication difficult. Despite that the food was average. The moment the waiter sat down the plate of Tandoori Chicken (which was made incredibly fast and was dry leading me to believe it was just reheated) I saw a thick black hair in the salad that accompanied the chicken. I mean that sort of thing doesn't really bother me that much personally but I know it would disgust most. The rice was also dry and seemed old and/or of poor quality. It reminded me of those "boil in bag" rice boxes which again doesn't bother me much personally because the rice came with the meal (which still doesn't mean it's "free" of course). The sause that came with the Tandoori chicken was of average flavor. Nothing exciting but not bad. The garlic Naan was fairly good, however it's pretty hard to screw up big time. It was crispy which is personally not how I like it plus they added oil to the top which again isn't personally how I prefer my Naan. You can find two pics with my review. One of the Tandoori Chicken alongside it's side salad and the other showing the hair that was very clearly in the salad when it came to my table. I wouldn't reccomend this place to my friends but I mean it wasn't awful....