Bombay Bicycle Club (Balham)

Oh my God! What on earth has happened to the Bombay Bike?

I have been frequenting this restaurant (and the takeaway service) for 10 years and have always been amazed at the high quality of the food. To be honest, the dining experience was so good that the restaurant has been regarded as as a bit of a Mecca for myself, friends and family!

That was until last the 2 visits in September 08. During the first visit, the food was bland, tasteless and took an eternity to arrive. I put this down to the restaurant simply having a bad day. The second visit however confirmed the worst, it was shocking.

If I want to eat bog-standard indian food, then I will go to my local curry house and pay 1/3 of the price.

I think the new owners have made a big mistake with their strategy for this once fine restaurant.
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spookyzoo - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Friday, September 26, 2008

I have brought clients from across the world to what was a wonderfully unique restaurant - they have all thoroughly enjoyed it and many have returned repeatedly. We have also as a family eaten either in or from the restaurant on a weekly basis for 10 years. The fact that an absolute jewel has been destroyed in the space of a few weeks quite frankly defies belief. To purchase a successful business and alienate its core customers on which it has survived for so long is suicidal - I sincerely hope that the wonderful staff are not the ones to disproportionately suffer in the future.
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Richard Williams
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, September 24, 2008

We actually had a wonderful meal there tonight! Change is good, perhaps
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Joe
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Good luck Tessa - I was pleased to read your review agreeing with mine. I have e mailed and written to the new owners to little effect. They offered me a free meal which in the circumstances seemed a little inappropriate. I have done my best and think there is little more I can do so am very pleased to see that so many others seem to be affected and agree with me. It was SUCH a prize.
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Penny Brownjohn
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, September 22, 2008

Yes I agree with past reviewers, the food here is TERRIBLE!!! Nothing like a good Indian Curry?! Food very bland and all dishes look and taste the same. After recently moving to the area and hearing how great this place used to be its a BIG disapointment!!!
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Sharon
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, September 22, 2008

Agree entirely with the post-takeover comments here. The food here used to be outstanding. It now ranks alongside supermarket curry, only it's five times the price.

I have just finished an abysmal meal and I'll never be going back.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Sunday, September 21, 2008

I have been dining at the Bombay Bicycle Balham for over twenty years and it has been a delight for all those years. Over the years different people have owned the Bombay Bicycle with minor improvements. The new owners have destroyed this unique venue. I have tried one or two choices of dish and none of them are anywhere near the quality, taste or freshness of the previous owners. This has been a disappointment. The Bombay Bicycle Club in Balham had a reputation which was unequalled in the past - now it has become an expensive rip-off. Before no service charge but £1 cover charge now £1 cover charge and 121/2% service charge.
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Brian Hazell
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Saturday, September 20, 2008

Update on this... actually emailed the Gourmet Restaurant Group who have taken over the Bombay Bicycle. We never expected a reply but my husband received a phone call from the CEO himself! He was interested to hear our views and is looking into things .....

At least he takes his business seriously and we'll have to wait and see but he seemed very genuine. 10/10 for service on this anyway!
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Tessa Macrae
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, September 19, 2008

Since the recent takeover food here is consistently shockingly awful. It bears no resemblance to the food of the old Bombay Bicycle and is now the food of Tiffin Bites. Locals know that if you want a traditional Bombay Bicycle you need to go to the Holy Cow instead which does all the old favourites.
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, September 18, 2008

Completely agree with Penny. I am gutted.

We have been using the Bombay Bicycle for 10 years as a take-away and often rejoiced to friends that we were lucky enough to have one of the best Indian take-aways ever. The food was amazing - always rich colours, delightful tastes and interesting menus. We have never had a bad meal.... until last night.

Whilst I can not comment on service (although we have never had any problems with delivery), all I can say is that when our food arrived we were faced with the most awful bright orange rubbish - every dish the same colour, the lamb was so hard we had to throw it away and the potatoes in my Sag Aloo.... tinned I think.

We too tried to speak to the restaurant to tell them how disappointed we were... but they did not really care.

Let's just say one man's loss is another's gain and we are looking for a new supplier for our Saturday night meal - we won't be back.... EVER.
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Tessa Macrae
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Thursday, September 18, 2008