Masala Zone (Islington)

I have always thought Masala Zone Islington was okay. My sister liked it, so I went monthly for 3 years. The food was adequate- the thali was interesting with lots of different small dishes and decor was informal dining, canteen style. It is Indian street food done okay. Atmosphere was variable, depending on how busy the restaurant was.

However, I have had an incident which the management of the chain. I ordered take out food and was overcharged by 30% and short changed by £10. I sent a reasonable e-mail, which has responded to on the initial point and the latter point ignored. 2 follow up e-mails, later, nothing heard. This makes me question their opinion of looking after a customer well.

I would recommend Zaffrani, on Cross Street, as far superior in terms of food quality and the menu is a lot more extensive , the dining room is more formal, with proper table clothes and napkins but atmosphere similar. Prices are also similar.

For take out, I would recommend Holy Cow on Chapel Market. The portions were a lot bigger and the food tastier. It was on take out with Masala Zone when I realised that their portion sizes, both in the restaurant and take out are not substantial compared directly to their competition . Quality was better to and the menu more extensive than Masala Zone.
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daisy
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, March 09, 2011

This is probably the worst Indian restaurant I have visited after 4 years in London. I have been with my girlfriend on friday 15/10/10. Because of bad weather we decided not to go far from where we live. Atmosphere is ok but quality of food is far from acceptable. Watery sauces and low quality meat. The naan (can be a fantastic bread) was dry and tasting pizza. We will not come back.
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Nicola
4 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Saturday, October 16, 2010

We ate at Masala Zone, Islington on Sunday evening, 12/9/10, and wished we hadn't. Arrived about 9.15pm, in London for a trade fair, ordered starters and main courses, which were promptly delivered TOGETHER! Advised we wanted starters 1st then the main course, but were told the kitchen closes at 10.30pm. We'ren't happy, I was ready to leave but was persuaded not to. Starters were fine, but the mains were all very disappointing. Very thin, watery sauces, very little meat, not what was expected. Overall a very disappointing experience, can't recommend this place and we certainly will not be revisiting.
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Lee McDonald
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The Poster advertising the food outside the restaurant was very nice. I dined there on 31/7/10, the food was extremely disappointing. Portions were too small. The food was not freshly prepared and when it was served it was warm. There was hardly any spice in the dishes. I made a request for one of the dishes to be prepared with less chilli, I was told it could not be done because they don't like to change the way the dishes are prepared (what they really meant was that as it was not freshly prepared they could not do it)!!! Everything there is already cooked, they just heat it prior to serving!!!
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F.D
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, August 02, 2010

Nice atmosphere. Rubbish food. Rice was served cold. Very un-authentic.
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4 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Thursday, February 11, 2010

The food really is pretty authentic and always flavourful. It's a great spot for a relatively quick meal...not one for romantics, although the decor across all of the chains is stylish and somewhat original. Service is ok, kinda typical of London's chain eateries. Offers decent VFM.
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Will
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, December 02, 2009

We called in last weekend for a snack. We'd been before and I recall that it was pleasant enough but with a tendency to be -- well, an Indian restaurant for people who were frightened of Indian restaurants or had never been into one. It's hard to explain.

But that doesn't really matter if you just fancy a snack, such as the unfortunately named "grazing platter", which is a bit small -- especially as it's described as for two -- but pleasant enough, even if it makes sure not to scare the uninitiated away with spice.

We chose to sit outside while we could. Perhaps that was our biggest mistake. Once we were there, getting any attention from staff was quite a challenge, even though this was at an off-peak time with only two or three tables occupied. Even after we made eye contact with staff, they focused on clearing and setting tables rather than taking our order.

So we were more than ready to eat when our food came, and downed it quite quickly. Another long wait to ask for the bill. I produced my credit card immediately; our waitress rather surprisingly rushed away with it, rather contrary to good practice these days. She came back with a bill for me to sign. I noted that I didn't want the service charge added (I think that service is between me and the staff rather than corporate owners). When she sulkily suggested that "[I] should have told [her]", I decided that the best tip that I could give her was to withhold any service charge at all.

This then led to a series of complications with the manager explaining in detail the complications of their system. I didn't care by that stage and was only too pleased to get out.

So, pleasant enough for a snack, but nothing special, and more than slightly let down by inattentive staff who can't see their own interests. Easier to serve yourself.
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Dolores del Culo - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Saturday, September 26, 2009

Although the food wasn't disgusting, it was odd. it didn't taste like a very good indian. No depth to spice & very strange flavours. We had a starter taster plate, with noodles!? Odd. I had the Chicken Korma it tasted like chicken gravy soup - too much stock - why are they using stock, in korma, i don't know? We also had a mutton dish. No way was that proper mutton, again it tasted liked spicy lamb gravy. Crap rice - boiled pilau. Naan breads where more like roti, very thin and small to finsih off the strange meal was spinach with garlic. Frozen spinach with garlic powder, who are they kidding? Not me. The least authentic experience I have ever had. Avoid. Can't knock the serving staff, although they did try to forget our starters.
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2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, April 15, 2009