Mela

i have been a regular at Mela for a number of years and it just gets better with the level of consistency that is unbelievable. just one problem, it needs redecoration, as interiors are becoming quite dull and same (maybe only for me)
Comment on this reader review

amy cooper
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I thought it was a pretty good meal. Don't understand the review below, but my visit was enjoyable and I will be back. Food was really interesting and the decor was colourful. Prices are less than what you expect in Soho restaurants of this calibre. Top marks!
Comment on this reader review

sujata patel
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Food is really awful i dont recommend this place.The service is terrible we wont go back there. The lamb curry tasted like some pot noodle snack.

Stay away !
Comment on this reader review

Graham
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Eight of us went there on saturday evening and had a wonderful meal. We ordered a variety of dishes and shared them out. At the end everyone said what a fantastic food they had tasted and some singled out the tandoori mixed platter and the chicken kebabs for special praise. I agree.

But two items that hardly anyone mentions in reviews -- the pilau rice and the roti and nan breads-- were also superb.

Service was very good too.

If you are in town this restaurant is definitely worth a visit!
Comment on this reader review

CurryMan
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, February 06, 2009

Mela has pretensions to be a cut above the average Indian restaurant, if the prices and glowing write-ups on the outside are anything to go by. We went on a Saturday night, without booking, and got a table after a short wait. Throughout the evening I noticed that they appeared to try to make out they were more booked than they actually were, as everyone who just walked in got a table within about 5 minutes.

The starters we had were ok. However the main courses, which we had to wait a long time for were poor. My partners dish was tepid and slightly over salty. However my dish, a version of lamb shank, was so salty that I could taste little else. I complained to the manager, and they brought another one, which turned out to be exactly the same. They then brought me a 'rogan josh', which was only slightly less salty than the previous two. They had even appeared to put a little salt in the plain rice. Overall very poor main dishes.

They knocked the price of my dish off the bill, but didn't apologize for anything.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Sunday, January 25, 2009

Went to Mela for a birthday meal - so large party.

The food was really good and the staff really friendly and helpful - I will definitely be eating there again
Comment on this reader review

Dee
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 24, 2009

how can you rate this restaurant bad, i just do not understand. i visited at 4 pm in the afternoon, correct 4 pm (it was open) and the food was just great. the restaurant does not look amazing but it looked good and was very clean with the food was just out this world, i cannot forget the lamb chops. amazing, a definite place to go
Comment on this reader review

minal devani
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, January 14, 2009

I had been to Mela 2 days ago, for the first time and I must say the ambiance looked excellent which is why we walked into the restaurant.

Well, after the drinks we ordered a starter which was not too bad but could have been better! For the main course, I got 2 vegetable dishes and was surprised when i looked at the price which was around £9 per dish. Since the price was on higher side, the expectations were also high. When the food arrived, I could not believe that they could charge so much for such small portions and the food was too oily and bland.. In any Indian vegetable, I have never seen Haricot beans and Broccoli being used but wasnt tasty at all.

For me, its a complete NO for next time
Comment on this reader review

Farah
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Monday, December 29, 2008

I have to say I don't recognise the Mela I know with the reviews here. I hadn't been for a while and was pretty apprehensive after so many negative write-ups - but there was nothing about my visit that rang true with these reviewers.

Mela was hosting a Rajastani food month and the food was absolutely sensational and the service was just fine. Certainly, it's not the seamless, gliding service of a five-star place but in a city renowned for bad service, Mela is one of the better ones.
Comment on this reader review

Wendy
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Monday, November 24, 2008

Bad, Bad service...I have never know the waiters to be so rude and when we said the food was bland, he told us that was how it was supposed to be served - not going again, disapointed that the kitchen closed at 9.30pm and we were told we had to order or leave....very disappointing!
Comment on this reader review

R
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Thursday, November 06, 2008