Bengal Clipper

Having said 3 years ago we would never return we decided to give them a second chance last Friday. What a mistake! Dreadful from start to finish once again. On arrival we were shown to table complete with coats, which no-one offered to take (my partner had to go back out with them) - no-one asked whether we wanted a drink & gaggles of waiters just stood around laughing by the bar. When finally we caught someone's eye he couldn't understand our (absolutely straightforward) order - then tried to remove all glasses from table, somehow assuming if we were having aperitifs we wouldn't want wine/water. My champagne cocktail tasted of rocket fuel! Starters both seemed more Chinese in taste/presentation (the gloopy variety) not indian - a horridly sweet & bland prawn puri & a chili cheese that was so dreadful I managed to persuade them to give refund - gloopy cubes of tasteless muck with a pile of absolutely red-hot chillis on top, so hot as to be inedible. Main courses were identical altho supposedly quite different - bland uninteresting brown/red sauce on indecipherable meat, tiny portion of very badly cooked rice, tough tasteless spinach. We were thinking of having some more drinks at end to 'recover' but no-one bothered to serve us so we gave up. This time I mean it - never again!
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Maggie
1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Yeah, what a shame. The ambience is lovely but staff could not even break a smile the whole night. The prawn puree was dry and tasteless. The fixed price menu was a total rip off. The starter (chicken chat) was a couple of chunks of chicken on a plate and the Chicken Dhanzak was quite watery and only filled a third of the dish with only 3 pieces of chicken. I had this set menu about a year ago and they have halved the portion and I felt utterly cheated. They should be ashamed of themselves passing this off.

There are far better curry houses for food in the area. They only need to make a few small changes to make this restaurant good but do not seem to recognise the small details that would make this happen.

With the prices they charge you cannot say it is good value at the moment.
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Glen
4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, August 03, 2011

I had a wonderful meal here last night. The service was impeccable, the food was delicious and there was a lovely atmosphere with someone playing the piano in the corner. I would definitely go back again. For the kadai paneer if nothing else! It was sublime.
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Victoria
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 03, 2011

Went to this restaurant last night with my girlfriend. Sorry to say I have to confirm the negative reviews written below.

Mushroom lollypop starter was just terrible. A scorching hot (but still raw) watery mushroom, breaded and deep fried. completely tasteless...

Main courses were almost identical, but just slightly different lurid shades of red/pink. Paneer cheese was rubbery.

service was quick, but the staff were grumpy, and they automatically added 12.5% service was definitely not justifiable.

Do not bother with this place. I don't think I have had a poorer curry in London.
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john
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Monday, November 22, 2010

Came here for a business lunch and while the restaurant was quiet, the service was fine and helpful towards our table for four people. The food was very good indeed. We had several dishes for our main course (including crab, prawns, chicken and lamb) and each had their own distinct tastes which is not common in Indian restaurants. I shall certainly return but with at least three other people as their menu is impressive and you should try as many as dishes as possible!
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JR
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Ate at the bengal clipper last night and unfortunately I have to agree with the reviews posted earlier. The service was AWFUL and the food less than mediocre especially for the price you pay. Will certainly not be returning. Great location and that was about the only good thing.

it was almost as if we were disturbing the staff's evening by asking for anything. We arrived at 7.30 (the time of our booking) but were waiting for a part of our company that was to arrive 5 minutes later so asked if we could wait before ordering and was met with a kiss of the teeth and a roll of the eyes by our waiter.

When it came to coffee's after the meal I ordered an espresso and the waiter asked me what everyone else wanted! They couldn't be bothered at all and was a huge chore for them to do their job. Politeness and maybe a smile is asking too much from this place.

not recommended at all.
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Simi
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Thursday, November 19, 2009

Not sure why this has many bad reviews. Went here on Saturday evening and had a very decent meal. Food was serviced quickly, especially as we were a table of 10. Main courses were well spiced and all tasted different but good.
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M Baker - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, September 21, 2009