Chambeli

I've been in London for a week or two and I had an hotel near Russell Square.

I wasn't really looking for an Indian restaurant, but when I saw "The Chambeli" I decided to give it a try.

I had never eaten Indian food before but I've always liked ethnic recipes. All the things I've eaten were great, I just loved an onion-based fried thing. I'm still looking for its recipe!

The service wasn't very fast and I, and my family too, had some problems understanding the waiters; but it's our very fault: I have troubles understanding even British and Australians...

Anyway we got there twice and the second time I understood the waiters better (few days passed and I had done some "exercises").

The price was good and I also found 0.25£ on the floor.

It will be the first place I shall visit in London next year.
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Simosito
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, September 29, 2008

My first visit to London was excellent except for the meal in this eaterie. We had a show booked for 7.30pm and arrived at this restaurant at 5.45pm to give ourselves time to enjoy our meal. Sadly this is the worst meal I have ever had in an Indian Restaurant. The service was very slow and our request for a jug of iced water fell on deaf ears......the meal was a rip off and had no taste or presentation, the waiter was rude to say the least and when we knew we were running out of time we asked nicely if they could book us a taxi to the theatre but they refused, I've never been treated in this manner before. I would have seen the point if the place had been very busy and the staff run off their feet but there was only another 2 couples at tables when we arrived and during our time there. I was actually told that this was a good place to eat but it must have changed hands since friends of mine were there because I would never mention this place to anyone and it has no standard and does not merit a rating at all. Expensive mistake for us.
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Moyra johnston
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, September 18, 2008

Apart from its excellent food and atmosphere, it has let itself down in terms of service. There seems to be an attitude from one or two of its waiters. Somehow you are expected to order at least one rice or naan per person. I got the feeling that sharing is not welcomed. THe service felt very rushed as we were asked on 3 occasions if we had 'finished' our meal when clearly we had not. When they were told we hadn't yet finished, 'annoyed' faces were clearly seen.

IN conclusion, food quality was excellent. But in terms of service, it has let itself down terribly. What a shame.
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W P
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Sunday, April 06, 2008

(We were overseas tourists on a 14-day visit to the UK. We dined there on 2 separate occasions, one during the first week of our trip, the 2nd one in our second week. (We went there the 2nd time because my wife loved the food.) This means that we had given them at least one more chance to put things right, ample opportunity to redeem themselves. Can't be fairer than that. We never bothered complaining to them face to face, before or after. A good genuine service will always be a good genuine service whereever you go. A good service after complaining is not genuine. Apart from being genuine, and yes you can call me yellow, I shudder at the thought of what 'extra' ingredients befalls me in the dishes after complaining. The restaurant owner / manager might agree with you but are the waiters? I'm no celebrity and certainly not famous by any standards, I just vote with my feet and go elsewhere if I'm not satisfied with the service. I am no food critic, there is no point in giving them pointers. If you know what I mean.)

Apart from its excellent food and atmosphere, the only area that it has let itself down is in the area of service. Right from our first visit a week ago, I seem to have detected an attitude from one to two of its waiters. The attitude was that you are somehow expected, strangely, to order at least one rice or naan per person. It's not enough that you have ordered 2 rice/naan for the 3 of you to share amongst yourselves (1 of us wasn't hungry enough to waste another order of rice/naan). It felt very rushed as we were asked on 3 occasions if we had "finished" during the course of our meal, and when they were told we hadn't yet finished, as me and my old childhood pal temporarily stopped eating and chatted away, 'annoyed' faces were shown. THere didn't seem to be any customers waiting to be seated so I don't know what the rush was.

THe couple at our neighbouring table ordered a vegetarian curry but were brought a prawn curry. WHen the woman explained that she was vegetarian and remonstrated that she didn't want the prawn curry, the waiter didn't entertain her request. Fortunately, the man didn't want any trouble and relented.

IN conclusion, food quality was excellent. But in terms of service, it has let itself down terribly. What a shame.
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W P
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Saturday, April 05, 2008

The staff are very welcoming, friendly and provide an excellent service. The food is brillant. I have been a customer to The Chambeli for the past 20 years and to this day I have not been disappointed with their food, service or atmosphere.

Highly recommended.
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J.S
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

The staff were very friendly and the atmosphere was quite inviting and comfortable. Unfortunately our food was sub-standard. I love good Indian food but this was not even close to being satisfactory. The Chana Masala and Naan were OK, but the spicy chutney and Abu ghobi were swimming in some kind of vegetable oil. It was flavourless, greasy and disappointing. With so many other Indian places to experiment with in London, I certainly won't be returning there.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Sunday, November 11, 2007

For our short visit to London I had gotten some restaurant names from the Net and decided to try Chambeli. I was impressed about the cleanliness of this restaurant. Although we're not experts in Indian food, I think the food was excellent and the service very good and professional (except our first waiter who seemed to have an attitude but then relaxed a bit and was friendly). It was a bit more expensive than what we had planned but maybe we just ordered too much.

I recommend this place to all Indian food lovers.
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sunny from Italy
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, April 27, 2007

Visited the Chambeli last week with 10 of my language students. Good food, friendly service but beware of the drinks' bill. We we're overcharged by £13 so check the drinks bill carefully it is not itemised.
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Anonymous
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, May 20, 2006

Visited with my daughter and we consider ourselves curry connoisseurs and we were very impressed with the food. The serviced seemed a bit rushed but I’m not one for sitting in restaurants after I’ve finished my meal anyway.

Overall very impressed
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Alan J.
Sunday, October 30, 2005

good food, good service, will be visiting again
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sarah
Thursday, October 20, 2005