India Gate

We arrived on time as usual to find this icon of the 70s very busy. It would have been wise to have booked. Apparently the Caerphilly Blonde counselled against - lucky then as she was late, al la Marlene Dietrich.

After dodging the leaky roof to hang up the other Blonde’s coat, we were shown to our table- the room in a suitable state of retro decoration, complete with alabaster pillars.

The menu was of course time tested to match. I was surprised that whilst they had the ubiquitous Prawn Cocktail and Black Forest Gateau - T Bone steak was not on offer.

I settled for Lamb Dupiaza as I thought such a standard choice fitted with the menu. The others had various dishes of a kind I’m sure our parents were familiar with.

To be fair all enjoyed their meal, three of us stating it very good to excellent. I could only go for average myself - well that’s either superior taste buds or an unlucky choice from the menu. The Caerphilly Blonde ordered off piste as well but they willingly obliged. Service needs fine tuning, but generally good..

It has to be said though that we had a very nice 2008 Bordeaux that by restaurant price standards was a bargain.

£83 for four including freebee poppadums and chutneys was good value, though personally I would rather pay for the chutneys and have them made fresh by the chef - and oh - someone has to teach them how to make Pillau Rice.

Would I go back? Yes in 2042 to show my grandchildren what it was like in the old days.
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Chris David - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 03, 2012

We went to the india gate cardiff and sat down as normal and then the waiters came along and started moving our plates and we didn't know what was going on and they moved us to the oppisite table without even telling us meanwhile we were eating our poppadoms! Then there was another 30 minute wait just to ask for some drinks! Going on to the starter the chicken tikka was great and then going to the main. The main naan bread was burnt, my mother ordered onion badjhi's and she couldn't even eat them because they were hard as bullets! After a while the manager came up to us and we explained the situation and he offered my mother a replacement but we declined after such poor standards. My shami kebabs as a main were terrific although the service was terrible and at tortouise speed! In the dessert i absoloutly LOVE the coconut ice cream but the last time i had it the brand had changed and i was really dissapointed but i thought to my-self at least i have the sorbets. So the next time i tried the pineapple ice cream, and it was tasty but not as nice as the old coconut ice cream. So this time round i had lemon sorbet and i was really looking forward to it and the price of it had gone up since last time and i found out that the sorbet was half a lemon instead of a full lemon and that was appauling! And to top it of the drinks came without stirrers which didn't make the drink feel as icy or fresh as it should do.My mothers one and only highlight was the after eight chocolate that they gave us! We will never be going there again. We are giving theFood review 3 stars for the chicken tikka and 3 stars for shami kebabs only. AND I'M ONLY 12!
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Abby 12
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Sunday, May 01, 2011

Excellent food, great service, good value for money
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Derek Rowlands
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

If you like bland food,bad service then this is the place for you. A table was booked for 8:30 we sat down at 8:50 we had to wait a further 1 hour 10 mins until we ate. When the food arrived it was bland.The manager was not inerested in our conplaints. Having said this the place was full!
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john nadin
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Sunday, August 08, 2010

This restaurant has reputation that reflects the restaurant, the staff and the food! Ive been a regular at this restaurant for well over 10 years. The food has not changed since i first went there! every dish is cooked exactly the same everytime you visit which results in you knowing exactly what your going to get every single time. I have a great repour with the staff and the owner himself. They are all very accomodating and treat their loyal customers with a service that keeps us all coming back for more, week on week! I never tire of this restaurant, admittidely i have tried everything on the menu so many times i often randomly pick what im going to have! I would recommend the chicken kharai, Tikka Massala (and including the green massala) the Shaslick and the Lamb saag. However these are just my personal faves and there isnt anything on the menu i dislike! Ive never had a dessert here as im usually stuffed by the time i finish my main often needing a homer style rest or the walk home to release some of the bloating of over indulging!

The takeaway's are amazing but as i live so close and the price is practically same its easier and more fun to eat in. Get down there at half 5 if you want a quick and peaceful meal otherwise book in advance and expect it to be busy!
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Simon Lockett
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 13, 2009