Rasa Samudra

This review is short but the wait between courses wasn't. Being in a table of eight I think they just wanted to see if we'd drink more (bad luck to them we didn't, we just got hungrier). When the food eventually arrived, the plates were cold and the food barely warm. Witholding part of the service, the waiter demanded to know why, and then had the audacity to 'check with the manager' when given the reason. Not cheap and not a not a terribly nice dining experience.
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Ivor
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, September 26, 2007

A great Keralan food experience. The service was efficient and polite and the food very fresh tasting and light. The wine list was reasonably priced and we had a very nice Chilean Sauvignon Blanc which went brilliantly with the gingery fish and crab dishes.

We had starters and mains and our bill was under £60. I usually pay this for a meal for two in a regular curry house (which is a world away from Rasa Samudra) so I would class their menu as excellent value for money.

The best thing about this place was the low key atmosphere - unlike some highend indian restaurants, it was not full of city types on expenses, but couples and small groups of friends chatting away.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

We went there on Friday night 18/05/07. The service was slow and disorganised for instance a 10 minute wait between the arrival of the curry and the rice. 30 minutes after clearing the plates of the main course we still had not managed to place a pudding order so we left.

The food was OK but not particularly good value for the money.

Far from a disaster but not good enough for a return visit.
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RAB
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, May 19, 2007

I just got back from what was, as always, a lovely dinner. But I agree with the previous review - can they PLEASE tell that one waiter not to be so pushy! Does he work on commission on the side dishes and starters?

I felt like I was arguing with him when he was trying to insist that I take some popadoms, and then said we must take side orders. I pointed out we had 6 mains between 5 people and also 3 starters, and this seemed plenty, but he still tried to make us order more. Like the previous reviewer, the food was excellent but we had ordered almost too much already! He also brought along 2 bottles of water (we had only ordered 1) explaining that 1 was not enough for 5 people. I tried to explain that we didnt know if everyone would be drinking water. I understand his logic, but he could have explained that a large bottle isnt enough for 5 when we ordered. After all, we were ordering alcohol too so some might not have wanted sparkling water too.

In general the service was all a little shakey - I was told we had sat down at the table too soon so hadnt given them enough time to lay plates- when it was they who had seated us. Not a welcoming start to the meal!

Also, I dont like my own (clean) desert spoon being picked up by the waiter to be used as a serving spoon. Cant they bring to the table separate serving spoons that are larger? I dont need a desert spoon during my main course - but then they shouldnt lay it out if they are short and need serving spoons!

I say all this and I still had a very nice evening - not just due to the company, but due to the fact that Rasa has the right level of noise, space between tables, comfort of lighting and most of all - really lovely food. Fab fish curry and delicious starters (esp the Banana Bonda!) Last time I went to the Rasa on Bond St, the owner was there (the one on the Jamie Oliver programmes) and was clearly involved in the running of his restaurants which made me think very highly of the chain.

So come on Rasa - dont let yourself down by employing rude and inefficient, pushy waiters! You deserve better!
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nadia
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Saturday, May 19, 2007

The food is good but I think we must have got the dud waiter, or a decent waiter having a bad night. He seemed to think a waiter's job was to sell us things that we didn't necessarily want or need, rather than giving us what we asked for.

I object to being asked if he could bring us poppadums and pickles, as though they were free, when in fact they're £7.50. It got worse when we ordered and felt that we were being ticked off for not ordering enough. We ended up with much more food than we wanted, because our waiter shook his head and effectively refused to take our order for two main courses and one starter between three not-very-hungry people. We didn't finish all our food and I'm cross, with hindsight, that we didn't insist that he accepted our initial order, and our caveat that we would order more if we felt like it.

Its not cheap, and he brought us two helpings of bread when we'd asked for one. By this time none of us could face another brusque exchange with our rather bullying waiter.

What a pity, because the staff on the door were welcoming, and the food was good, but I'm afraid after an experience like this, I will not be going back.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Friday, May 11, 2007

The best Indian in London doesn't really do this place justice. The food is exceptional and the decor and service are comfortable and inviting. I've been a regular for years now and can't imagine ever getting bored of the menu. If you haven't tried southern indian (Kerala) food beofre, try it here and don't bother going anywhere else!

This restaurant is in fact a small chain, this branch only sells fish and seafood, if you want meat then try the branch just off Hanover Square W1
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Big Belly - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Like seafood curry? Look no further. Rasa Samdra serves up some absolute delights. I started off with the Crab Thoran - flaky fired crabmeat with mustard seed and ginger sprinkled with coconut on top. It had a predictably delicate flavour that was most agreeable but nothing more. It was served in a round mass in the middle of the plate. My only criticism was that as soon as your knife touched the food it just collapsed.

However, the starter was soon forgotten when the main course arrived. The Varutharacha Meen curry, tilapia fish served in a buttery coconut sauce, was exceptional to say the least. On first taste it appeared to be very Korma-like. A second or two later all the flavours came pouring out - not to mention a little chilli twang as well. The recommended lemon rice was the perfect accompaniment.

Despite being a Monday night the restaurant was fairly busy in the ever delightful Charlotte Street. It is curry for the connoisseurs. Cheap it is not. You get what you pay for - a truly memorable curry.
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Chadiiii - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Very different Indian food with emphasis on seafood, which is excellent. Staff is very friendly. Many seafood dishes, from the south of India, are memorable. Among many excellent Indian restaurants in London, Rasa is one of the best.
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JH
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Saturday, August 26, 2006

What a brilliant find. I can't really fault this place the food is delicious and a real novelty and service was excellent even on a busy Friday night. Could not recommend highly enough for fantastic fish and veggie Southern Indian food.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 11, 2006

We had to wait more than an hour for a table though we we told that we would have a table in 5 to 15 mins. Than another long wait for menus, water (they actually forgot this altogether. I basically had to stand outside the serving area for some as I got fed up with the waiting, than another wait for the food etc. We heard another table complaining of the same "I have been waiting an hour already when you said 5 mins!" Food was okay though.
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Siat Lee
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, April 11, 2006