Mirch Masala (Tooting)

Under new management and not looking good I`m afraid........... The previous owner had built this restaurant up so that it was voted in the good food guide top 50. Deservedly so, because everything about Mirch was extraordinary. We have been going for years but our recent visit will be our last for a while.

There is now no longer any organization in the the service: ordering before other guests does not mean your food will come first. Dishes do not come together (our starters were spread out over 10 minutes). Drinks only came after reminding the waiter. The 4 tables around us were all complaining to the waiter about forgotten dishes and drinks.

This would all be acceptable if the food had remained the same, but it hasn`t.

The token salad isn`t fresh any more and the fried starters we had were all oily.

The "previous" Mirch would never have an off day like this; the food was consistant.

On the plus side, the seek kebabs (one of the dishes MM were famous for) are still very good!

The other thing is the prices have rocketed up. I fully understand that being in the Good food guide top 50, merits a price increase. But not to the extent that the new owners have taken.

Such a shame, because it was a real institution.

I`m sure there will still be a queue on weekend nights, but, without trying to cause offence, you will see less and less brown faces among them.

MM is still FAR better than your average indian restaurant for food, but there are OTHER places on the broadway now, which are better than this MM; just look for the familes of indians/pakistanis eating there!
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London Indian
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 6
Saturday, June 20, 2009

No sooner had we opened the door were we then shown to a table. The service in all respects could not be faulted. The food was delicious. Perfect Naan, stunning butter chicken and a very tasty sag paneer. We will definitely be going back.
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Lisa
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

No frills, no tablecloths, rushed service, no alcohol served (BYO) - but still worth a visit for the best curry in London. The chicken ginger is my favourite - incredibly fresh-tasting and gingery - and I also love the aloo bhajia as a starter, but everything I've had here has been fantastic - really fresh and bursting with flavour. Can't agree at all with the reviewer who says the food is bland.
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Nick
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, April 01, 2009

This was our first experience at Mirch Masala, and it was fantastic. The staff, service, food were all top notch. Thanks for a great night, we will definately be back soon!
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Alex, Kate and Cara
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 26, 2009

Completely disagree.Went for mothers day with 3 children,8 of us altogether. The food was lovely,waiters attentive without fussing over us.Food was absolutely delicious, especially the rotis.

They were really kind to our small childrena and brought extra plates so that they could share icecreams. Can't rave enough about this restaurant.
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Lesley Frej
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 22, 2009

Have been there a few times and generally been quite pleased. But the last time was very very disappointing. 12 of us went and we ordered

Mixed Grill @ £14 - very disappointed when it came. It was on a single platter and just enough 1.5 people!

Curries order: King Prawn and Mushroon @ £11.00 Degie Gosht (Lamb) @ £7 (I think)

Both curries were awful - both tasted the same - they obviously used to same onion base to make both of them.

Also ordered 3 lamb byrianis (can't remember how much it was) - but they were OK.

They do do the best naans and seek kebabs.

If you want to just go Naan and Kebab then they are good but not for anything more.

Going to restaurant next door next time!
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 12, 2009

I love Mirch Masala, and have been so many times that I can't count! Delicious curry, staff work extremely hard, friendly, welcoming, had my birthday here, have had other friends birthday's here... it's everything that you need from a no-frills, great curry restaurant! Drink is BYO and it's basic wooden tables, but that all adds to it's appeal.

I'd recommend Panir/meat Tikka and Jeera chicken. Top notch and one of Tooting's best.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 05, 2009

Excellent food and fast service, well-mannered staff *****, great atmosphere and reasonable price, recommended for family dinners.
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sam
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Being an indian I know my curry's very well and sadly I was very disappointed after I visited this restaurant with all the hype about this restaurant all I can say is their food was bland for my taste buds and it felt that there was a large pot of pre-cooked curry and all curries were altered accordingly with the few added extras the attitude of staff was poor as well have also visited their Southall branch and sadly thats no better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!unfortunately their curries are made for the wider public with no taste..... will never go their again
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K Haider - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Boyfriends favourite curry! No fuss, no frills, just excellent food. BYO makes it a cheap night out too!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 06, 2008