Masala Zone (Soho)

Having read a few poor reviews I was surprised by the overall experience. Good for a quick lunch but unsure how it translates to a more lingering dinner. Would probably save up and go to the groups more upmarket outlets.
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nigel knight
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Thursday, January 28, 2010

No right to call itself INDIAN!!

Normally I refrain from giving anecdotal examples in reviews, and give the restaurant the benefit of the doubt (maybe it was a bad day for the chef, maybe I ordered the wrong thing?). But not this restaurant. THRICE in a row I have been disappointed. Never again.

Non-Anecdotal Examples -:

(1) You cannot customize ANYTHING on the menu. The reason: THE FOOD IS PRE-MADE. Unbelievable... yes, and these are the waiters own words. Twice. Twice in a row, I wanted my starter to be made a little spicy. Like other reviews on this page, I was told that the food came pre-prepared, and they could serve CHILLI sauce with it if I so wished. For an Indian.... this is unacceptable.

(2) NO WINDOWS! Have a look around the restaurant. There are no windows, and the lack of ventilation / air conditioning will leave you suffocated in certain parts.

(3) THE FOOD: This comes with a caveat. To an Indian, the food is NOT anything like it is in India. The spices are completely watered down, the chutneys are tomato-ey, and in general the dishes are unpalatable. The caveat I mentioned is that this kind of food may suit western palates more. It is a little wonder that in this huge Indian restaurant, you find hardly any Indians dining in.

To give the restaurant credit though, if this type of food suits the local taste, then so be it. But please for heavens sake, do not call it Indian.

When you have Indian food, you expect hot steaming chapatis and fluffy rice which soaks in freshly ground and tempered spices. Indian food is not supposed to be chilly hot, but it definitely is supposed to enlighten the palate with a medley of exotic tastes that burst from each morsel. This restaurant serves modified, insipid, warm and not very good food which is passed off as true authentic Indian.

The restaurant is a part of a chain which includes Veeraswamy, and Masala Kraft restaurants. The food in all of the above is sub-standard, modified Indian food. Best avoided.
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Varun
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Monday, January 25, 2010

Had a marvellous Grand Thali at the Masala Zone last night. Had not been there before and was a bit put off by it looking quiet. However, we were early so took a chance. Soon after we'd arrived the place began to fill and it was almost full by the time we left - I'm not surprised. ALL the staff were brilliant and very attentive, nothing was too much trouble and they explained the Thali which I had not had before. The food was perfect. Would definitely eat there again, yum.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, January 05, 2010

I'm a longtime curry eater and finally made it to the Soho branch early Sunday evening. The service was pleasant and swift, but it was very quiet so they weren't pushed. I can imagine at peak times they struggle to get out fiddly thalis en masse.

I had a prawn grand thali and it was very good. Fresh tasting and not awash with ghee. My only complaint was the lukewarm temperature, which seems to be a common complaint. Watching them slowly assemble the thali I can understand why. They need to address this problem.

Price was very reasonable indeed and I asked for the party pack, as their private room in Covent Garden is worth considering for my 50th later this year. Would certainly be a very economical option.
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Trev
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, January 03, 2010

visited his resturant with hubby on a sunday afternoon. i must say it was really nice. i had the chicken Thali with butter chicken and dhai puri for starter. the quantity was sufficient and the taste good.

hubby had chicken madras and sev puri starter which he enjoyed.

nice ambience and friendly staff - will definately recommend to friends and tourists.
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Mills
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, September 13, 2009

My partner and went to Masala Zone in Soho on 29th August.

It was a very busy Saturday night - the restaurant was nearly full. We were greeted the moment we stepped inside and were given a table.

We love Indian food and haven't been to Masala Zone before. When the waiter knew that it was our first visit he took the time to go through each section of the menu.

We ordered some street food, a chcken thali and some prawn noodles.

I found the food to be delicious and very reasonably priced, especially given that it was Saturday night in the West End.

I think the thali is a really good idea...little dishes of this and that with chutneys on a big silver platter. It was nice to have Indian food that isn't swimming in a bright red slick of oil!..

To sum up: Lovely food, lovely staff, lovely decor. Can't wait to go back for some more!
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pauliepops - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, August 31, 2009

My husband and I visit Masala Zone about twice a year, and promise never to visit again. However, given lack of options for value for money Indian food at Oxford Circus, we invariably turn up there haplessly with the hope that things would have improved - but have always been disappointed. This time was no exception.

It was a sunny Saturday evening - early around 5pm, when we walked in. The interior of the restaurant is very dingy, so I requested for a table facing outside for the 2 of us - of which I could see some available (2 small tables placed together to seat 4). Even though the restaurant was less than 20% full, the waitress refused to split the tables to accommodate us (or let us sit on a table meant for 4), and forced us to sit in a dismal dark corner, citing "policy". What happened to service with a smile??

Having had a prior misadventure at this Masala Zone when we were served really bland food, we requested the waitress to make our starters spicy. She had the temerity to tell me that the only way they could spice up an order of 'bhel puri' and other Indian snacks, was to add bottled chilli sauce to it! Sacrilege- for a restaurant that lables itself 'Indian'!

My paani puri was pretty good - unfortunately the only exception in an otherwise eminently forgettable meal. My husband's main course of chilli garlic noodles tasted anything but 'Indian-Chinese' and he could only swallow half of it. Dishes served as part of the 'thali' were patently insipid or just tasted 'wrong'! The daal had too much mango in it. And it was obvious from the microwaved dinner taste of the curries of potatoes and peas (I counted 4 peas), and cauliflower and spinach that the restaurant was cost cutting- I wouldn't be surprised if they were heating curries out of tins. The quantity and variety of food served in the thali has also decreased, however the prices have not!

NEVER again!
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Suruchi
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Monday, July 06, 2009

We went to Mazala Zone in Soho on 5th April for dinner.

The waiter served us couldn’t explain the menu. Eventually he managed to take the order after 20 minutes. This is not the waiter’s fault; he has not been trained well.

The popadoms took 35 minutes to arrive after reminding the waiter.

There was only one mild meat dish which was not “every one’s cup of tea”. We ordered Pav Bhaji which came without a slice of lemon. When we asked the friendly and helpful manager for a slice of lemon we were told that the owners like it to be served without the slice of lemon. Obviously when they travelled to India for tasting the food (as they say), they didn’t taste Pav Bhaji. You need to have lemon in pav bhaji. The butter chicken was not all that. To top it all off their faluda was disgusting.
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Meera
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, April 08, 2009

We went to Masala Zone in Covent Garden (off the Opera House) last Friday and really enjoyed it. Great food, great atmosphere, great service..and very reasonable price..Curries were really good and the big tray with a mix of servings is also highly recommendable. For sure we will come back next time we visit London!
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Mar
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Myself and a group of friends ate at the Covent Garden branch, the food was over priced and came to the table cold. The waiter could not explain any of the dishes and so will not be going back
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Paul
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, November 04, 2008