We make a lot of Indian at home. But once a while you would rather have Indian at a restaurant. We are members of the Gourmet Society and there was an offer on food at Anarkali, so we decided to give it a try.
Now, I have passed by Anarkali many times and have found it quite unappealing. We have tried every restaurant next to it...except this one. So I checked photos of the interiors and only once we were satisfied that we could brave it, did we reserve a table for dinner.
First impression...pleasant ambiance. Felt doubly pleasant as the exterior gives a more claustrophobic vibe. (they must change the logo!)
The service experience was mixed. One gentleman was over friendly, the other was over grumpy. And I don't know if this is a rule they all follow, but they say a lllooooot of 'Thank You'. I know there's nothing wrong with it..but imagine when you are in the middle of a conversation and a staff member picks up a glass from your table..says thank you, brings your next drink...says thank you, brings you plates...says thank you, brings your food...says thank you. They said Thank You at least 50 times in those 2-2.5 hours. A tad bit annoying. They also lurk around your table a lot...I almost felt spied on.
I had the butter Chicken Tikka for starters, Chicken Saag and Pilau Rice for mains. The husband had lamb chops and Lamb Gosht. I have eaten a lot of bad Indian in London...this comes in the bottom pile of the bad. The pilau rice was the only saving grace.
I should have drawn my conclusion and not ordered anything else. But noooo...I had to fall for the ploy, "Our kulfi is the best. Your must try it." It's one of the more bland, icy, non-creamy kulfis. Such a shame.
For drinks...my vodka came with a non-fizzy coke and I had to get it changed.
Won't be visiting this restaurant again. They seem to have many regulars...which is disturbing as the food isn't good at all. I would give this a 2...the extra 0.5 is for - decent ambiance, good papad, chutneys and pilau, and a toilet that's on the same floor! read more
