1947 Norwood — Restaurant in Norwood

Had a terrible experience at 1947 Norwood today. Normally I do not post reviews and this review is not regarding the food or staff but their billing policy. i am a wheelchair user and went today with my wife and two other adults and a toddler. The restaurant was almost empty with only two other customers. We were given a table which normally sits 7 because that was the table where chairs can be removed and had room to park my wheelchair. We are returning to this restaurant after 8 months and always liked their excellent service but this time things were different. The food was okay (it used to be excellent) and we were not given much attention (we had to call the waiter for the few times we needed to order than them coming to us) despite being not many other customers. I usually leave a 20% tip and this time I was telling myself I should leave only 15% tip due to the lack of attention. We ordered 6 items, a soda and two paans. I was shocked when the check came with 18% service charge added. When I asked about it the manager said it was added for groups larger than 6. But when I questioned that we are only four adults and a toddler, he said it is still applicable since we sat in a table that seats 7. Is this even legal? I asked why it was not informed to us earlier for which he only apologized. To note, there were no other tables that seats 4 adults which can let me to park my wheelchair and this table was assigned by the waiting staff who did not inform us of this (probably she did not know about this or new to work). I am not sure if this was even mentioned on their menu but even if it was, I would not have realized that the charge will be applicable to us since we were less than six. I therefore decided not to leave any tip since I felt I was taken advantage of my disability. Will likely not return to this...

Consistently good food, but consistently disappointing and subpar service. The employees are not customer service oriented at all. I can’t say they are all terrible, but most of the staff seem annoyed, miserable, and are rude and impatient towards customers. When dining in, they become completely inattentive after the food is served to you as if you are invisible. When getting takeout, something is always missing, without fail. I’m writing this review not to bash this restaurant, but to: 1.) Being awareness to the restaurant owners and staff so they can take this constructive criticism into consideration and make improvements. Customers are being driven away by poor restaurant management and customer service. I have been a regular customer since they opened and I am now seriously considering taking my business elsewhere because it’s not worth it. Almost every experience has been tainted with some kind of negative event. 2.) Set expectations for other people who are interested in eating here. If you dine in, you can expect a delicious meal, but expect subpar service or you might find yourself angry and frustrated by the end of your meal. If you get takeout, make sure to check your bag before you leave!! Check that everything you ordered, along with any sides and sauces the dishes are supposed to come with, are in your bag! Also, if you are in fact missing anything from your order, do not expect an apology. Instead, the staff will be annoyed and frustrated with you when you mention it. Again, do not wait until you get home to open the bag; check it while you’re still inside the restaurant or in your car...

I tried the Vada Sambar and Chicken 65, and unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory. Here's why I would not recommend these dishes:

Vada Sambar: The frozen Vada Sambar was a major disappointment. The vadas lacked any semblance of freshness. They were dense, chewy, and tasted as if they had been sitting in the freezer for an extended period. The texture was nowhere near the light and crispy vadas you would expect. Moreover, the sambar lacked depth and tasted more like a generic, watered-down version with minimal spices. Overall, the vada sambar failed to capture the essence of authentic South Indian cuisine. Chicken 65: The frozen Chicken 65 was equally disappointing. The chicken pieces were dry and lacked any moisture or tenderness. The marinade, if there was any, seemed almost non-existent, resulting in a bland and uninspiring flavor. The texture was far from the crispy and succulent chicken 65 you would find at a decent restaurant. It felt like a subpar imitation, with a lack of proper seasoning and spice. I found myself longing for the flavors and quality that fresh, made-to-order Chicken 65 would offer. In conclusion, the frozen Vada Sambar and Chicken 65 failed to meet even the most basic expectations. The lackluster taste, poor texture, and absence of freshness made for an underwhelming dining experience. I would strongly advise against purchasing these frozen options if you're looking for authentic and flavorful South Indian cuisine. It's best to opt for freshly prepared dishes or visit a reputable restaurant to truly savor the delightful flavors of vada sambar...