Minerva Indian Cuisine Restaurant — Restaurant in Maryland

Insurance- Alex from Minerva restaurant confirmed that they are fully licensed n full service caterers when I called the first time to talk about catering for my son’s anniversary on August 27th, 2021. However he sent fake insurance to Little Seneca lodge creek, Boyds, md and they did not accept it. I called him again to find out and he replied that he will get that fixed. Later, he might have bought it otherwise the venue people have not accepted.

Menu- he forgot to send navrattan curry and argued with me that he did. I’m a vegetarian and I had very little choices as there was this main dish missing. We had 67 proplen n agreed to pay $28 per person.

Dinnerware- he said glass dinnerware is not possible even though it should be covered under full catering service. So he did not provide any glass dinnerware, glasses for drinks, cutlery, napkins, table cloths. We bought all that. He said some bureau informed him due to Covid, he can’t provide glass dinnerware. That’s not true because my friend had another party at the same venue a week after ours n they had all dinnerware

Warmers- he said he will charge $900 for warmers n I strictly told him I don’t need them.

Caterers - he sent 2 caterers, $250 each n one bartender for $350. They did not do a good job, we had to do most of the cleaning. All the dinnerware is plastic so they didn’t have to wash them. They also demanded tips from my daughter. The bartender spilled alcohol on my nephews suit and ruined it. He charged $750 for both caterers which we never talked about The same caterers were there for my friends daughter’ s haldi ceremony from madras palace n they had proper dinnerware n the caterers were only $150 per person for 100 people. Count of people- in the beginning, I told him the guests maybe around 80 but told him we will update n I updated him with 70 or less than 70 people but he charged for 90 people without even discussing with me. I had to call the bank to dispute it. Amount- he charged $2700 initially and we discussed that he will adjust the money depending on the number of people in the end , but he never talked to me after the party but charged another $1915 without informing me. I updated him later with less than 70 people n he said we will adjust payments accordingly to the correct number of people but he just charged me without my permission. Right from the beginning, he has been lying about insurance, dinnerware restrictions to avoid giving us the glass dinnerware. He manipulated the count of people and added additional charges that we never discussed about.

Here is my breakup that I agreed upon Food for 67 people is 1876 (67*28) but I’m subtracting $200 for navrattan curry as he did not provide. So for food it is $1676+ $500 for annoying caterers who did a terrible job+ $350 who was terrible too as he spilled alcohol on my nephews suit which went for dry cleaners. So total $2526. However he charged $2700 and then $1915. He Sent his breakup after he already charged n took the money.

Every single line is incorrect and some charges we never agreed to like insurance, warmers, delivery charges and I don’t understand what are the other charges he listed. He just came up with his own list of charges. From the beginning of this event till today, he has given me such a hard time that I felt like reporting him n his business so that others won’t be cheated.

Sent...

Toxic Gender Biased Atmosphere and illogical Management: I went today to take my lunch from Minerva Buffet but due to having other tasks on hand( collecting things from other Joints as it is my Birthday), I preferred to take-out. So I was tasting each dish in tiny steel containers, when one toxic aged Indian male diner came up to me and requested me to go to one corner , hide myself from view of others and do the tasting. I asked him point blank what is his Logic. Immediately, he retreated and took the Hotel management on his side and again I question the staff logic. I am a customer of Minerva for last 6 years, am used to tasting before take-out from Buffet and no one had any issues with my tasting location earlier, till one oldie-goodie, who has gender-bias(obviously the manager of Minerva too has it), is a coward( as he thought that being a single girl he can easily bully me around), and on top of that pea-brained as he could not present any logical argument why I could not taste where the food was kept. People are not wearing masks in the restaurant, each one is handling food ladles by turns, handling breads with their hands and I am supposed to be contaminating food just by standing in the same area where food is kept!!! Funny thing is the Management values a customer who may be paying just $20 for the Buffet dine-in while I who also does a take-out of around $200, is being overlooked and given a shabby treatment on the complaint of a customer whose believes in poking his nose into other's business, especially single women. Does not speak well for the restaurant policies.Will not visit this restaurant again till the Management sends me an...

I have read recent reviews and can conclude! The Indian wait staff is racist against Indians...

There are people saying service was good! R u sure??

I have visited this restaurant many times, in fact almost all Indian restaurants in DC area. The service here is the worst.

Not just that they r not capable of serving, they also do not even smile at you. The body language clearly shows that THEY DO NOT WANT U THERE! I confirmed when I funnily asked a waiter - and he complained why everyone comes here only???

On my last visit I did not tip them and asked a question - when was the last time u smiled???

I believe u should avoid this restaurant for several reasons.... 1 - I used to tip 15-20% like everyone should - every time I visit them. 2 - I could see wait staff gossiping and complaining about something. 3 - There is no scope of improvement in service, they r just not the right people! 4 - The employer probably knows about it, but still wants to continue with the same staff and not train them properly... Contact me if u need... 5 - They have messed up orders several times.. In fact couple of times they didn't even charge me for an item and I had to point it out. 6 - I have seen them arguing with customers and that too, in a wrong tone! 7 - THEY DO NOT WANT YOU THERE! THEY HATE U!

I really want to meet those people who say service was good! May be they only visited the restaurant in...