Spice Village

I don't usually write these reviews, but given that we ate here last night based on the posted Google reviews, I'm sharing our experience to provide some balance. I'll preface this review with an acknowledgement that the restaurant may have been understaffed or extra-busy (not able to validate that other than we saw a fairly steady stream of takeaway meals being picked up). Our low rating for atmosphere also was for the lower-level area that we sat in; there is an upper level with booths, and most people were seated up there (and the staff were focused on that area of the restaurant - see comments below). That may have been more atmospheric? Key points: - We arrived at 7pm. From the time of our order being taken (10-15 minutes after arriving), it took about another 10-15 minutes for our drinks to arrive. It took over an hour for our food to arrive after ordering (and that may have only happened after I politely questioned the staff for an update on where our meal was - if that was the case, it may have contributed to our poor experience with the meal itself). - No wait staff came around the lower level between ordering and meal service, other than drinks delivery and to seat/take orders from the other 3 tables. - We did not receive all items ordered (but were not billed for them either). So obviously missed when the order was taken by the waitress when entering it onto her tablet. - The atmosphere in the lower level was non-existent. Not helped by another table across from us wondering when the staff were going to come to them/when their food was coming, while the other two tables in that area received their food before us, even though they came in between 15-30 minutes later. This may of course be a function of the food they ordered being quicker to prepare, or batched with a similar order by other tables? - The food itself was disappointing. Please note we eat a lot of Indian food in Melbourne/elsewhere as it is our go-to food for eating out. We're also blessed with a couple of exceptional restaurants in our little town west of Melbourne, but I would note we had a brilliant Indian meal in Wellington. So it isn't just an Australian thing :) - - The butter chicken was exceedingly runny (all the ones I've ever had were quite creamy), and the chicken was in large lumps. While the gravy itself was moderately tasty, the chicken just tasted likely chicken :( -- Our other two mains (Zafrani Chicken - Signature dish - and Lamb Bhuna Gosht) were bland - the meat tasted just like meat (again, just bug chunks of lamb in the Bhuna Gosht), and the gravies in both did not have any real distinctive tates/highpoints to them. Very un-Indian Recommendations: - Please inform customers, at ordering, as to the expected wait period for drinks/food to be served, and update them after 20 or 30 minutes if there are delays. This allows customers to make informed decisions about whether they want to stay or go elsewhere. - Staff should read back the order so we can ensure it was taken corrrectly. - Even when busy, have staff circulate to some extent through the lower level area, some eye contact and a bit of conversation to assist with atmosphere. - Obviously a restaurant can't always marinate meats in gravies to infuse some flavour to the meat, or to add some taste to it, but some scarring/tearing of the meat to allow some infusion. And perhaps some pre-preparation of the meats - even a dash of lemon or vinegar just to add a bit of flavour, and to also draw in the gravy a bit more by opening the pores of the meat. Summary: An unfortunately disappointing experience, and likely our poorest meals in 60 years of collective curry eating. Again, we may have just been there on the wrong night. Keeping your customers informed, and even the briefest of staff circulating in the lower level with some eye contact, would be a good first step.
Apr 24th, 2023

Food : 5/5 | Service : 4/5 | Atmosphere : 3/5 Recommended dishes Chicken Tikka, Butter Chicken Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot, Free street parking More
Apr 30th, 2023

Vegetarian options: Lots of vegetarian options Kid-friendliness: Kids menu options Parking: The restaurant was very busy at 8pm but parking was a breeze Wheelchair accessibility: Open dining to facilitate wheel chair access Dietary restrictions: Not alot of GF but adequate DF and V
Apr 27th, 2023

We came for a meal last night, we arrived just before 7pm to have a meal. We were seated in the lower area of the restaurant as it was extremely busy. The staff were absolutely lovely and very accomodating regardless of being run off their feet. It took us about 45 minutes to receive our meal which is usual for a busy restaurant, we had some drinks while waiting. We ordered butter chicken and lamb bamboo, these were absolutely delicious and some of the best currys we have tasted. I will definitely be back for a meal the next time we are in Hanmer Springs, lovely meals and outstanding customer service.
Apr 25th, 2023

Food : 5/5 | Service : 5/5 | Atmosphere : 5/5 Recommended dishes Zafrani Chicken, Butter Chicken, Veg Mughlai More
Apr 25th, 2023