Lily Tandoori

Ate here last night. The decor is lovely, service was excellent - the restaurant experience is very well done. The food, on the other hand, I couldn't have been more disappointed. From friends and reviews here I've heard nothing but rave reviews, but the food was bland, excessively oily, and lifeless. Indian food, of course, is expected to be oily, but the flavours in some of the dishes were so distant and nonexistent that all one could taste was oil. The sag paneer was sweetened with sugar and coconut (ugh!), the chana was undercooked - the chapatis were nice, but that's about all. Sugar seemed to replace salt in most of the other dishes. Another sad example of how the "English taste" has ruined Indian food in this country. If you think a boiled potato is racy food, though, this might be the sort of Indian food you enjoy I suppose. Prices were low, but that's only really a bonus if the food is worth making the trip for.
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JD
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Saturday, December 13, 2008

Me and a work colleague visited the Lily Tandoori and I can honestly say it is the best curry I have ever had, and my colleague agrees. The way the meat is cooked, the flavours, not too much onion, even the mango chutney with the popadoms, the list goes on. I have eaten in most of the curry houses in Portsmouth and a few elsewhere and none have ever come close to the Lily.

I cannot believe the bad review that someone has given below. Who goes into a restaurant that specialises in Indian food and has soup! Please...!!!
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Martin
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 24, 2007

Although i live some 30miles away from The Lily and have been to many indian tandoori restaurants i have yet to find one that is as good as The Lily, so for me the journey is well worth it.. The food is not only extremely tasty but also always very fresh, i have sampled a varied range of dishes from the menu and have never been disappointed with any of them.The service is always first class and nothing is to much trouble.The atmosphere is friendly and calm, as for value for money what price can you put on quality? Therefore do yourself a favour and visit The Lily you will not be disappointed.
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bob goodwin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, June 22, 2007

There is only one word for the Lily "Outstanding". I have frequented this restaurant on and off over many years and being of Pakistani origin I know a bit or to about indian cuisine. To date the Lily has not disappopinted me, my family or friends. The food is of excellent quality with a very good range of dishes on offer to keep all taste buds happy with a good range of wines and beers available. The staff are friendly and curteous without overwhelming you with service. The decor of the restaurant is very unusual with real leaves as wallpaper set in a warm and cosy environment. This restaurant is family run and it shows as the menu prices are reasonable and not the rip off prices seen in similar restaurants in this area. What sets this restaurant apart is the number of Asian customers it attracts which from my experience is the benchmark for a restaurant even considering itself any good in this market. I would not hesitate recommending this restaurant as it ticks all my boxes. A very satisfied customer.
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A Ashraf
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, June 18, 2007

I must disagree strongly against "Mke Lake's" review. I am british asain who has been brought up eating indian food. However ,due to my busy schedule and hectic work life i've never had enough time to cook authentic inidan food on a regular basis.I have visted many indian restaurants throughout my years, but have found the perfect indian restaurant in the Lily Tandoori.The service is always really friendly with the staff always there if you have any questions or special requests. The food is is great value for money with the spices and flavours being just right. I have taken many of my friends to the Lily, where they have commented about the lively yet calm atmosphere and the high quality service and food.Its also a great restaurant to take the family too.
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Susmita Joshi
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 06, 2007

I must disagree strongly against "Mke Lake's" review. I am british asain who has been brought up eating indian food. However ,due to my busy schedule and hectic work life i've never had enough time to cook authentic inidan food on a regular basis.I have visted many indian restaurants throughout my years, but have found the perfect indian restaurant in the Lily Tandoori.The service is always really friendly with the staff always there if you have any questions or special requests. The food is is great value for money with the spices and flavours being just right. I have taken many of my friends to the Lily, where they have commented about the lively yet calm atmosphere and the high quality service and food.Its also a great restaurant to take the family too.
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Susmita Joshi
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 06, 2007

I truly cannot believe that your reviewers visited the same restaurant....four friends and I visited last night, and found the WORST restaurant food imaginable. The waiter was friemdly enough, but very pushy to give us starters, extras, nans etc. My muligitawny soup starter was just thick lentil soup, no flavour and a vague taste unlike any m soup that I've ever had. The king prawns were tough and tasteless.. Two of us had the Handi Special. We were told to expect hot and spicy, but got just greasy tasteless plates of something that were neither hot or spicy. A few little lumps of prawn, loads of grease/ ghee, loads of onions and soggy green pepper. Tandoori King Prawn was little lumps of prawns, not the 4 or 5 usual big juicy ones, but small, mostly burned lumps. Even my coca cola was flat! We weren't asked if we wanted a sweet either. Absulutely awful. Totally unacceptable. Sadly it was my birthday and I was being taken out......I didn't eat half of mine..I wish I'd made more fuss, but as is the English way, I guess, my hosts payed. Truly dreadful.
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Mke Lake - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Monday, April 16, 2007

Having tasted Curry at most Fulham Indian Restaurants for the past 40 years I can honestly say that the Lily Tandoori is the best ever. The service is polite and friendly, and the food is out of this world.
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Irene Carroll
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, June 02, 2006

I love the Lily Tandoori. It's so amazing. My friends and I have spent many great evenings at the Lily. The food is tasty and well presented. The service is immaculate. I recommed it to every one who is reading this and is looking for a great Indian restaurant.
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Jane Smith
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 04, 2006