Indian Essence by Atul Kochhar Reviews Summary

Category: Indian restaurant

Address: 176-178 Petts Wood Rd, Petts Wood, Orpington BR5 1LG, United Kingdom

Phone: +441689838700

Rating: 4.5
based on 163 reviews.

Food Quality

Pros:

  • "UNBELIEVABLY tasty food."
  • "The food is devine and tasty makes the tastebuds awaken with the various spices and techniques."
  • "Quality in the kitchen, & great service front of house (and further!) is a great indicator for this excellent local restaurant."
  • "Delicious starts, sublime mains and scrumptious desserts."
  • "A brilliant meal from start to finish, so many flavours and great combinations."
  • "Really tasty, rich food."
  • "Each dish, a harmonious blend of spices, transported my taste buds to a realm of gastronomic delight."

Cons:

  • "I found the baingan to be bitter and did not find paneer dishes had done justice."
  • "The meat(lamb) was so tough as if I were biting into a boot."
  • "We went there to have quality Indian food but it was the worse food we ever had."
  • "The only ingredient in abundance was green chilies."
  • "However, the chicken was not able to eat because it was not cooked properly."
  • "Wife had a monkfish dish which was ok but nothing to say wow! My lamb Nihari didn’t have any flavours and bit too much on the sweet side."
  • "The food is not freshly made. it is cold already when picked up. and extremely salty!"

Service

Pros:

  • "Had a great meal, however the experience was made extra special thanks to Mahir Hingu who gave us some great options for wine and food choices."
  • "The staff were very polite and helpful."
  • "Service attentive and friendly."
  • "Highly attentive and friendly staff."
  • "The staff was very friendly and attentive."
  • "The food was delicious and service impeccable."
  • "Service is excellent, very attentive."

Cons:

  • "The food was good but the service was very slow."
  • "The waiter forgot one of our starters, no apology offered."
  • "Last time service was very slow and we had to literally ask for get some attention from the waiter."
  • "When your wine waiter opens a £30+ bottle of wine, he ought to be experienced enough not to pierce the cork and leave pieces floating in the glass of wine he pours out for tasting."
  • "They got the order wrong, sent out more food 2 of us sat for an hour waiting for it whilst others ate there meal."
  • "When the food arrived it was cold and there was missing items."
  • "the service is lacklustre and cold, especially the waitress."

Value

Pros:

  • "Pricy but well worth the cost."
  • "Not the cheapest place, but given how good the food was and how well we were treated, I'm very happy with the whole evening."
  • "The food was different and special and worth the price paid."
  • "You're getting michelin star level food for Islington high street prices."
  • "It's more expensive than typical Indian food in this country, but the portions are generous and the flavours are incredible, so for us it was 100% worth it."
  • "Food was excellent and the price was very reasonable."
  • "Had 3 course lunch this time and for the standard of the food 28 pounds is a bargain."

Cons:

  • "The table legs wobble and it was very expensive!"
  • "It is very overpriced and i dont know why."
  • "Thoroughly disappointed and feel conned by the hype around this restaurant."
  • "WAY TOO EXPENSIVE FOR WHAT IT IS !!!"
  • "Very very shockingly over priced, food disappointing nothing like pictures, glass of house Rose £14."
  • "It is a bit pricey with a meal for 2 costing £100.00 with drinks."
  • "Overall it was not worth spending £99 per person as did not see value for this…"

Ambience

Pros:

  • "Tasteful decor."
  • "The ambience of the restaurant was lovely."
  • "gorgeous decor."
  • "Very nicely decorated and lit restaurant, modern but traditional."
  • "Lovely atmosphere and fantastic food."
  • "The atmosphere was relaxing & the service was excellent friendly & efficient the menu was a la carte !"
  • "Lovely venue for a special day or treat."

Cons:

  • "What was an exceptional meal was spoilt quite a lot by the lady who turned up to sing 90s ballads and was no better than a cat being strangled at karaoke bar."
  • "The addition of a residential singer was not necessary."
  • "Busy, tight seating to the extent neighbouring tables can easily listen or glance into your evening."
  • "It's also cozier than I prefer personally for dining, with other patrons sat so close that we felt a little uncomfortable talking at normal voice level."
  • "I also don't know if it's a coincidence but anyone from an ethnic minority background was sat at the back of the restaurant."
  • "Eventually we were seated on a small table stuck in the waiting area for takeaway collection."
  • "Underwhelming for a restaurant associated with Atul Kochhar - tables a bit tight, had to ask for menus three times, mens' toilet urinals overflowing."

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