Tiffinbites

There is alway this issue of "genuine" Indian restos (typically those with a high proportion of customers with Indian roots) projecting white customers' spiciness specifications onto a hotness scale significantly different from the one they would employ for customers that can be expected to be accustomed to "native" spiciness levels. More than once have I ordered a medium to mild curry in anticipation of a full-on sensory chili onslaught, only to receive the watered-down "tourist scale" version (sometimes maybe for reasons of good intentions). There is no danger of Tiffin Bites ever presenting you with such a problem, as all of their dishes seem to be calibrated to the lowest common spiciness tolerance level, with the slightest of variations.

I dined at Tiffin Bites Russia Row twice, both times ordering the four-chili designated "Chili Choice" (most dishes are assigned one chili, four being the max) as well as a presumably milder one-chili dish. On both occasions, the second dish was really only supposed to represent a sort of hedge should the four-chili prove to much for my westernly conditiones tongue (although I should have know better second time around). On both occasions the "Chili Choice" turned out to be one of the mildest curries I had ever actually eaten, with about the same punch as Tiffin Bite's one-chili dishes. I also tried a three-chili curry, which was slightly more spicy, but still extremely mild in my books. Well, another phenomenon associated with Indian restos is that hotness scales are occasionally maintained merely for marketing purposes, to evoke the impression on the part of the customer that there is variety / choice, but with no discernible link between menu labels and the respective dishes' chili concentration (this ploy works because it is difficult for the customer to know whether an unexepcted spiciness level is the result of a restos different scaling granularity or indeed average spiciness level or a genuine inconsistency within the resto's scale - unless s/he samples the entire menu). Tifffin Bites seems to be a case in point. The actual chilis in "Chili Choice" were so mild I could actually chew them just like any other ordinary veg.

I was also rather disappointed by the chewy lamb, which on the menue had been advertised as "tender". Enquiring about the lack of punch, the waiter told me there was nothing he could do, as all dishes were pre-prepared in a "factory", with the on-site "chef" apparently reduced to operating the microwave oven and moving dishes from containers into small metal bowls. Thee was no attempt to apologize or offer an alternative dish, despite me pointing out that this was the second time around that I had been surprised by a chili level that had absolutely nothing to do with the descsription on the menu.

The whole thing is rather surreal, it seems to be more marketing effort rather than a restaurant. I asked two of my friends (one with Indian roots) to try in order to obtain a second and third opinion, and they were equally shocked. Well, maybe this is a printing error on the menu or a computer bug in the curry factory, in any case I think Tiffin Bites is only worth visiting if you happen to work nearby, have a craving for a curry, no microwave in your office and can't be bothered to make your way to a proper Indian resto.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Friday, July 04, 2008

I went to Tiffinbites on Russia row with my wife. We were incredibly disappointed. The place was almost completely empty (Thursday 8pm) and the waiters all looked a bit sleepy and depressed. The decor is a slightly misguided take on urban chic (black chandeliers, heavy use of purple). The food came reasonably quickly - but tasted like a ready meal warmed up (which it basically is, as I discovered when talking to the waiter) My lamb kebabs were pasty and over-marinaded - I ate only two bites of the large portion. The 'fresh' mango lassi was fresh lassi with tinned mango (again, having checked with the waiter) - which is taking a bit of licence with the word fresh. Admittedly, the chaat wasn't too bad.

I had to apologise to my wife for taking her there and we certainly won' t be back.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Thursday, June 19, 2008

I don't usually write on these things but having read some of the reviews below I just want to say I ate at tiffin bites last week with my partner and had a lovely meal. All the staff were really freidnly and the food was very good.I had the tikka masala and my boyfriend had the spicy josh. Even though the restaurant was busy the food came straight away. Ill be going again!
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Alexa - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, March 05, 2008

I went to the Canary Wharf Tiffinbites with a friend for lunch last week and was really impressed. The food was tasty, and our meal was served very quickly - which was great seeing as we were on our lunch break and a sbit short if time. I can particularly recommend the chicken tikka - the portion was just right so I didn't feel too full to go back to work after lunch. Will definitely be back again.
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Jenny
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, March 03, 2008

Canary Wharf branch very dissapointing. I thought they would be able to provide high quality authentic food bearing in mind they don't have a lot of items like most Indian restaurants. I thought it was plain and boring. The food tasted like it was cooked by a person who just stepped into the kitchen. The service was a complete contrast to the cooking. I don't think I will be visiting again.
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sultana parvin
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Thursday, February 07, 2008

went to the tiffin bites store in st pauls russia row, and lets just say was a very big dissapointment, first of all staff were very rude, what happened to service with a smile ?

after 10 min of waiting to get served they did not have what we asked for so had to have second option which was cold and not worth the wait at all.

the store needs to think about quality, price and service and maybe it can go some where other wise i would say MASALA ZONE any time..

sean walker
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sean walker
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, October 03, 2007

what a great experience.

I have been to many indian restaurants in my time, but tiffinbites is so different. I was given my meal in 3 little stainless steel pots with a fresh naan bread to fall in love with. I cannot remember eating out at an indian restaurant where I havent had to scoup out an inch layer of oil or ghee except for my meal at tiffinbites, not a drop of oil in sight.

Thank you so much for making my business meeting a positive experience, with all my clients looking towards me for having great taste in restaurants.
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Graham Stiffadol
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 05, 2007

I normally don't write on these sites but after reading the last review I felt it necessary to defend Tiffinbites. Obviously this is someone who works for Masala Zone. I go to the Tiffinbites in Russia Row (St. Pauls) the most but have also been to Canary Wharf several times. The food, and service are both top notch and everyone in my office absolutely love it. I personally think Tiffinbites is the best curry in London.
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Abdul Bawhlin
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 04, 2007

The food is excellent, especially the thalis. As for the service, well I was very pleased with the amount of attention we got, not only in choosing the menu but also in terms of banter. I've now been to Tiffinbites about 4 times and each time the experience has been good.
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Gautam
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, September 02, 2007

Having just had a meal at the Canary Wharf branch I'm sorry to say that the food was mediocre and the service was very poor indeed. My lamb meal was supposed to be very spicy (according to the description on the menu) but it wasn't even mild - in fact it was over-diluted with tomato. My friend asked if her prawn dish could be made a little spicier when it was prepared, but all they could do was bring her a bowl of chopped chillies which they actually charged her for !

After our main course we were ignored and no one asked us if we wanted a drink or a dessert , so after 20 minutes we asked for the bill. Unfortunately that was also incorrect because we were charged for items we hadn't ordered.

I love Indian food but I won't be coming here again.

Give me Masala Zone any day !
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liz
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Thursday, August 30, 2007