Veeraswamy

First of all I consider myself so lucky as for my son - in- law Ashlely to have booked a surprise dining for my daughter’s birthday on Sunday 18th Sep, 11 at one of the most recognised Indian restaurant in the heart of city ‘s affluent centre, famously known as “ VeeraSwamy “

The place has an entrance with welcoming reception on ground floor leading from a lift to first floor dining area to an L shaped lounge on the right and a spacious second area on the left, leaving the third floor with banquette facilities. My first impression of the ambience was quite delightful but quirky and did not give me that full authentic Indian feeling, the place was somehow lacking high intricate Indian decor and oranaments , In the background soft Indian classical music wood have been a treat.

Once again upstairs, warm welcomed from smart and presentable staff led us to our table and made us comfortable.

Whilst waiting for the surprise guest to arrive, my anxiously waiting eager could not resist most findings of it origin. It was Interesting to learn that the place had been established as far as 1926. It had undergone 5 ownerships since the original owner, Sir Edward Palmer, who was married to an Indian Princess, and historically had catered for Royal families to the present day. Queen Victoria was regularly delivered with their scrumptious cuisine. Further, the place had served clientele ranging from world’s famous and legendary celebrities to M P’s

Finally, long waited food and drinks were ordered in varieties. The starter and the main meals were served with good presentation and were absolutely delicious and served with authentic Indian spices and herbs. It certainly gave that rising buzz to my palates. Naans were soft and crispy and couldn’t resist the second order, to round it off, complimented with varieties of mouth watering deserts, some delicately served in traditional paan leaf.

All in all my experience was exciting, and recommend but must point out that they are pricy. The other drawback that it is an ideal place for surreal dining and not for exuberant parties or events as you are very limited to what they can let you do.
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P J Chohan
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, September 21, 2011

We went there and only veg items found are side dishes. Apparently the owner was not happy with the total amount and asked us to order more items. We immediately got up and left the place.
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Sb
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, August 16, 2011

We visited Veeraswamy on Wednesday 20 July 11. This is the third and last time we will use this restaurant. The standard of food is average and is certainly not worth the price charged. Moreover, the addition of £12 service charge and £2 charity donation to the bill, without reference, is not acceptable. We all acknowledge good service when we receive it and by nature we are charitable people but lets not take customers for granted.

In addition to inflated food charges the drinks and wine list is ridiculously priced.

Clearly the restaurant has lost its way from the traditions established back in the early 1900's. Advance by all means but remember value for money is what people expect and currently value for money is not what people are getting.
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Derek
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, July 23, 2011

I went to Veeraswamy for lunch on Sunday. We hired the private function room for a party of 21. I have to say the food was excellent and the service was impeccable.

My overall experience was amazing, I have to say it was worth every penny I spent.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 18, 2011

Well it's all very promising when you walk in. Dark opulent looking room with lots of nice decoration. Lots of space and very comfortable. But I'd say the food lets it down somewhat. It's not the most expensive but it's pricey enough to expect something a little bit better than what I got.

I was in a big group and it was a Tue evening. We ordered a lot of finger food starters, chicken wings and the like. All overdone and no care taken over them at all. The accompanying sauces weren't in the slightest bit vibrant or surprising. When I eat Indian I want something vibrant and surprising.

My duck masala main course was again perfectly edible but carelessly done. Very overdone and with a ubiquitous masala sauce. I tried two of my guests' food. The lobster curry was a little more delicate without being amazing in any way.

I would expect this sort of food in a decent high street curry house. But the prices are far greater than that so you're paying for the area and the room inside which is a shame when there's so much great indian food around at the moment. I'm lucky enough to live near Indian Zing in Hammersmith and the food there knocks the food here into a cocked hat at a much much fairer price.
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benjamin163 - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I went on saturday 26/02/2011 to this restaurant with great expectations. Only thing i got was dissapointment

4 pieces of chicken with bread !! my girfriend indian stew + rice. a bottle of wine + 1 beer + 1 lychee drink 1 cofee + 1 choclat cream Total 122 £ !!!!!! (they already take a tip buy putting service 13 £)

you cannot take flash fotos and you have to ask to fill your wine glass

Don't go there cause you lose lots of money for no value
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NICO VERGAUWEN
3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, March 03, 2011

Following a previous disappointing experience with Veeraswamy I am pleased to say that after a small delay the senior management did address my concerns listed in the previous post. I was also invited back to the restaurant in order for them to put right their wrongs. My second visit was much better and the food and service were much better second time round. .I intend to visit again in the future.
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Andrew Wheal
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Went here for the first time on my Birthday. Lovely decor and atmosphere. Friendly service and the table positioning afforded plenty of privacy and an avoidence of noise. Our window table gave us a good view of Swallow Street with just a glimpse of life on Regent Street - most charming.

However, the food is unremarkable to the point where the price makes it ridiculous. I think the people running Veeraswamy are trading on the history of it's name. I doubt the cooking at Veeraswamy now has anything in common with what it was in 1926. The menu is refreshingly limited (a good thing), but the cooking feels like it's pandering to the michelin star scene (not a good thing).

The lamb in the lamb biriani was obviously of the highest quality, but that's all that was in it, other than rice, a few cumin seeds and a lot of ghee. My wife's chicken Makhani was slightly more interesting but again, just meat and sauce; almost impossible to get a fresh vegetable unless you ordered an vegetarian dish. I ordered a vegetable side and was steered in the diection of the dahl, which tasted like porridge with cumin seeds and (you guessed it) ghee. In fact, the repeating taste of cumin seeds and ghee stayed with me until the next morning!

I look forward to visiting my local curry house in Coulsdon Surrey - the T Raj - and recounting the experience to them. I imagine we will all laugh when I reveal that their local curry house is twice as good for about a quarter of the price of Veeraswamy i.e it's 80% better.

Seriously, if you really like great indian food, don't bother.
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Nick Cresswell
5 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, October 06, 2010

went to veraswammy out of curiosity. my boyfriend is a great fan of curry and we thought this would be a great way to finish off our week. the basics are there, service was functional, decor good - having said that my seat was ridiculously low. food was ok but the prices are ridiculous. i had the chicken 'lollipops' to start, my boyfriend had three pieces of chicken tandoori. neither were great- mine were fatty thigh meat i think . mains were better- the biryani was good but at $20 completely over priced. we didn't have desserts, had one bottle of wine and the bill was $140 ($30 of that being the wine)... i've had better indian meals at our local restaurants, equally eaten at michelen rated restaurants for the same money and a much much better experience. shame as we were both looking forward to it. i wouldn't go back and i'd deter anyone else from trying them.
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l kay
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Sunday, September 26, 2010

We booked a table with 8 friends for my Husband's birthday, based on the fact that a) We love Indian food and consider ourselves Connoisseurs, B) we wanted something a bit more special than our local curry house.

When we arrived, we were not offered drinks.

The Manager was incredibly rude to my husband and unapologetic for the mistakes made by his staff. The service generally poor. It was a huge disappointment as we had wanted this to be a special night for us and our friends but instead we all left with a bad taste in our mouths.
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Jasmine
1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, August 24, 2010