Mela

Went to mela last week (jan 2012) on a wowcher deal which offered a meal for two including two drinks, usually priced at around £72, for £30. On arrival they seemed alittle unsure about the voucher and scurried off with it for ages. We had to remind them to come back to us. We ordered plain rice and one naan but recieved pilau and two naan, however we were happy with that as it was tasty. Soon discovered why our order was changed as we remembered we had to pay extra on top for these sides as the deal excluded them! The chicken tikka and lamb chops were lovely. You also got a potato dish, daal and tap water thrown in but no popadoms. Overall not worth £73 even for central London but worth it for the deal price of £30. Manager was attentive and polite but other staff very average and a bit vague.

We ended up paying over £17 extra for the rice and naan including service charge which I thought was steep.
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shirley
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Thursday, January 26, 2012

This is a follow up review of my visit on September 13, 2011

I returned to this restaurant, after my good experience. The food was good, but I was unhappy at a number of aspect. And my experience fell below my expectations (compared to my visit in September 2011).

We ordered the "SUBZ THAAL (Vegetable in Tandoori). However, it was not prepared as well as on the first occasions. Instead of 'cauliflower' heads, I got the 'cauliflower' stems. Did they run out of cauliflower?

However, I have been put off by the 'foul' tasting orange and pineapple juice. We asked for another after complaining, and that one tasted right. But one has to wonder why we got two 'foul' tasting drinks?.

The drinking glasses looked dirty.

The bad drinks has put me off returning to this restaurant.... pity :-(
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RK
7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, December 21, 2011

I went to Mela for lunch, it was my first time. We did not use any of their lunch deals and instead went for a-la-carte.

I had the "SUBZ THAAL (Vegetable in Tandoori) - Assortment of vegetarian kebabs – paneer cheese, stuffed potatoes, fresh vegetables and roasted fruits."

I have been to many INdian resturants, so it was very nice to get something different. This dish (SUBZ THAAL) was pretty amazing, you get a huge platter of vegetable. It was just as well, did not order the starters, as this in a meal in itself and the green chutney is amazing.

My partner had "KADHI PAKODI - A Mela speciality, spicy yoghurt curry with gramflour and onion dumplings, mustard, fenugreek and coriander seeds add to the flavour". Again this was good. And the rice (we went for Jeera rice).

Now the bad points. My partner ordered a drink called the "Mango Tree (Non-alcocoholic )at £5.50 Mango and cranberry juice stirred with lime juice and topped with lemonade.". All I can say was that the drink was a let down, especially at this price. I think the lemonade, spoils it!.

Although the waiters do bring tap water.

We are both vegetarians, so did not order any meat / fish dishes.

Service was good.

Yes, will return for the SUBZ THAAL (Vegetable in Tandoori) !!
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RK
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Went for a family dinner and the service was good though a bit slow.

Starters were good but the main course generally disappointed with the exception of Kadhi Pakora.

Desserts quite avoidable.

Generally passable but definitely did not live up to it's reputation. Pricing exceptionally steep

Will not go there again.
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SJ - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Saturday, August 20, 2011

Booked a table for 4 at Mela for a friend's birthday. We were shown to a small table in the middle of the restaurant – we asked to move to a more private table in the back but we were told "no, you can't" even though it was not busy. After a frustrated wait had to ask someone for a drinks menu. We were not offered popadoms, in fact we didn't know they did any until we saw another table with some! We ordered: starter: chicken tikka (good, & hot), whitebait (bad, avoid, flavours did not work at all); main: jalfrezi (perhaps above your average curry house standard, but nothing special), lamb rogan (very good, thick, flavoursome), kozi vertha (very good flavours but avoid if you don't like scrawny chicken legs in your curry); sides: stay away from spinach and corn masala! It doesn't work and it was weird. Daal was OK. Bombay potato very good. Naan was burned but nice. Lights were off in the toilets. Service was OK, but overall we were let down. Mela is overrated by far. And overpriced.
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AM
5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Had been to order a take away last night. The dish we ordered was Paneer Lababdar. I must say the dish was superb and authentic Indian food.

Although must say the price aint superb and there is no discount for take-away. Anyone intending to have authentic fine Indian dining head straightway to Mela. But be ready to shell out for the quality food.
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Kishore
7 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 2
Sunday, July 03, 2011

We went to Mela Shaftesbury Avenue last Night and amazed with the quality of Food and service that was delivered to us. The food was outstanding and taste so fresh, We could not stop eating. The service is very attentive and superb waiting staffs. The waiters gave us very personalised service and made us feel comfortable. Most likely this would be the best restaurant that I have visited in London.

Moreover, the atmosphere is very standard and much better that other indian restaurants that I have seen. I would definitely go to Mela again. And would recommend everyone who likes indian food to visit Mela and enjoy the most delicious food ever.
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Akash - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, February 19, 2011

We 2 dined at Mela last night.We were late for our reservation by on hour but it was impressive to see that despite being busy last night they had holded our reservation and accommodated us as soon as we arrived .

The manager escorted us to the table and personally took our order.

On the food the salmon fish kebab was very delicate and delicious.Not to forget the spicy lamb curry with its tender meat.We had a very nice dinning experience at Mela and should thank staff for there excellent service and the manager for his free desserts.
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Simon - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, February 18, 2011

Had been to mela in covent garden after a gap of 2 years this sunday. It was very good to see some old faces. the taste of food was still the same and the same impermissible service that you can expect of this big brand restaurant.

Well done keep it up.
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Indranath Gupta - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, February 10, 2011

Have been to Mela on many occasions.I have always found the service to be Verry friendly.The food feels so authentic ans so Indian in taste.

A bit expensive but with the 2 for 1 offer its quite in reach.
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Sera - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 05, 2011