Simurgh

Unlike the previous reviewer, we had a wonderful experience when we went to Simurgh couple of nights ago. We had booked a table and on arrival we were given a nice table. The waiter was polite and very helpful when choosing our courses. The manager came to say hello half the way through the meal and was friendly and asked if we were happy with everything ...

The food was fantastic and beautifully presented. Overall we had a great evening.
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Rosa
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, August 31, 2009

Not only is the worst Persian restaurant I have ever been to, but I can easily say that this is the worst restaurant in London I have ever dined at.

Given the lack of Persian restaurants in central London and having never heard of Simurgh berfore, my partner and our two guests thought we would give it a try. This happened to be a very unfortunate, awful mistake.

When we arrived the entire restaurant was empty, apart from a party of four guests. We had reserved our table for four a week previously. We were greeted by an unfriendly, rude waiter so then sat us directly next to the four dining guests. We had asked him if we could sit elsewhere (given the amount of free seats in the restaurant), but he refused and HE called the manager to speak with us. Five minutes later the manager appeared (ready for a fight and ready for an argument), and unwillingly, let us four sit where we had requested.

Not only is the food not 100% Persian cuisine, but it is not fresh whatsoever. It was very easy to see (and taste) that my main meal ('Koobideh' - Two lamb mince skewers served with rice) had been thrown into the microwave for 30 seconds and chucked onto my plate. The food was absolutely revolting.

Furthermore, when we were eating the rude waiter decided to mop up the floor around our table and wipe down the surrounding tables with his cleaning spray and sponge. He proceeded to spray his cleaning spray in our direction and onto our meals. We were completely shocked.

I called the restaurant this afternoon to speak with the manager to complain but he just refused to speak with me. Since he did not apologise last night, and refused to speak with me on the phone, I have had no other choice but to voice my disgust and anger on London Eating. I will be informing the council about this.

The staff are rude. The food is recycled, old and rancid. The hygiene levels are dire. Keep away at all costs.
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Natasha
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, August 01, 2009

The food was very unique and tasty. The waiter was very passionate about the food and helped us pick from the vast menu. Food was served quickly and the dessert was delicious! We went as a group of work colleagues and the place was ideal for chatting and having good food.
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CAROLINE STRAMOSK - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 04, 2009

The food was very unique and tasty. The waiter was very passionate about the food and helped us pick from the vast menu. Food was served quickly and the dessert was delicious! We went as a group of work colleagues and the place was ideal for chatting and having good food.
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CAROLINE STRAMOSK
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 04, 2009

It was a nice experience, though not so sure about the food, in that there was Persian belly dancing on Saturday night.
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King - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Saturday, February 28, 2009

I agree with the last reveiwer. Very touristy.

This was an impromptu visit after the theatre. It was too expensive for what it was - essentially a bit of rice and a few kebabs.

The seats were uncomfortable and it was generally very 'thematic' inside, although we had eaten the night before at Quo Vadis (Hart brothers) so not really our sort of thing all in all.

Wouldn't return. A colleague (who is Persian) said all the best Persian/Iranian restaurants are in Kensington.
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Alex
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, June 25, 2008

We have been to this place at least 8 times or so, mostly due to location. The food is good, but the prices are high. Don't expect persian hospitality, as the host and waiters are very cold and some don't even know the persian names of the food.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Saturday, May 31, 2008

Good range of drinks and impressive belly dancing on a Saturday. Starters were hit and miss with the aubergine starter being very delicate but the spinach dish being way too heavy on the stomach. Main courses were a big disappointment as you could tell the meals had been pre-prepared and re-heated in the microwave (the texture of the rice gave it away and the fact that we were told there was only 1 lamb and lime dish left, despite all the ingredients needed being present in the other dishes!). Not a big fan of the manager's attitude towards customers either! One to avoid.
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Laura
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Friday, February 08, 2008

We were a party of nine who needed some where to go for a pre theatre dinner, and chose Simurgh by coincidence.

The arrival was not the very best, with an unexperienced waitress, a room without many other guests (it was Monday evening at 6pm...) and a lightbulb (!) that was irritatingly out of order.

However, as the first course arrived, we were impressed by the flavour and taste. The waiters who served us throughout the meal were all very helpful and efficient. We felt that the main course was even better than the precourse, and the desserts really topped the whole thing.

Our company of nine left the restaurant in a very good mood, ready to see Spamaloth, and thankful for a memorable time at Simurgh.
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Don Frederico
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 18, 2008

The food At Simurgh is not 100% authentic Iranian/Persian food and is rather expensive compared to the more popular Persian restaurants of West & North London.

Nevertheless, I have been to Simurgh 4 times whilst working in their vicinity, but on my last visit to celebrate Persian New Year (norooz) with some other Iranian colleagues I ripped my trousers on a screw that was exposed on the seating. I managed to get £25 from the proprietor of Simurgh, but with a threatening letter telling me to "Watch out, watch out, watch out!"
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farhad - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, December 19, 2007