Star of India

I have been here a few times now as it is close to home. The service has always been decent. The food has also always been decent, nothing special but good enough to return.
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gianni - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Good food friendly service, like a home from home really, mind you - we have been going there for many years!
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ellie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, June 29, 2008

I have eaten at the Star of India with groups of people a number of times, and I was a fairly regular takeaway customer (I liked this one particular dish, that I kept going back for).

The food is ok, but really nothing special. The manager has the delusion that this is a contemporary, modern and classy Indian, however, it really is pretty standard fare for a curry house, and is slightly over-priced for food in that style of cooking.

The pilau rice is bland, with too many cumin seeds. The Korai dishes could be lovely, but are absolutely drenched in oil, and are bulked up with gravy, peppers and onion rather than meat. The Chicken tikka masala is over-sauced and over-sweet.

I gave up on this place after a number of issues. Firstly, the portion sizes are small, which for £30 for a takeaway meal for two, is a bit galling. Secondly, takeaway orders take a MINIMUM of 45 minutes - I have often had to call after an hour to get my food. Thirdly, I received incorrect orders on three occasions, usually as a result of the waiter trying to get the details down far too quickly and then not taking care to confirm the information. Frustratingly, the attitude at the restaurant is that the customer is inevitably at fault and wrong. The manager is unwilling to accept any fault on the part of the establishment.

If its innovative and exciting Indian food you're after, then visit any one of the excellent Indian restaurants in central London. If its good old curry house food, then head to Brick Lane. But don't waste your money here - it won't be appreciated, and the eye-rolling that bob (see below) talks about sounds all too familiar to me.
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Sabrina
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Monday, June 16, 2008

I have been to the Star of India around 10 times in the last year.

The staff are always friendly and the one time our food took than we expected they brought us some additional starters so we at least had something to eat.

Recommend the Tandoori Korai and their pilau rice is the best i have ever had (no yellow dye required, only the original herbs). I are confident enough in the whole experience enough that we regularly take guests there.

It can be a little cramped so maybe isn't the place for a very large group.
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Tom
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Monday, July 09, 2007

I am very shocked by some of the reviews- I have been visiting "Star of India" for the past three- (3) years and have found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. The food is authentic and has always been to a high standard (much better than many other Central London Indian Restaurants). The restaurant has many loyal repeat customers that I am sure would agree with me in saying that "Star of India" is good value for money. Therefore, I unreservedly recommend it to all seeking good Indian cuisine in this part of London.
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Mark
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

What restaurant have you all (below) been eating at? The Star is fab! Same price as the other Indian restaurants, but much better quality. The food is fresh, the sauces made there (not out of cans and jars), and the staff are warm and freindly.

For the budget concious, there are 40% discount days and buffet meals. Take-away option allows you to buy your own beer at much lower prices and eat at home. You can walk away paying £30 for two, or less than £20.

There is free wi-fi, which lets me work while I eat. I have business meetings here a couple times a month, eat here a couple more, and get take-away about once a week or so.

There are better Indian restaurants elsewhere in Britain and London, but certainly not in Leytonstone.
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Liz Zitzow
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 06, 2007

We just moved to the area and went to the Star of India last night - we knew it had won that Waltham Forest award and that the owner is very involved in local events. We had an OK meal, nothing special and at £3.95 for each bottle of Cobra we felt they were having a right laugh. The place was oppressively warm and the service moody. My husband had a dodgy tum this morning (which may or may not have been connected to the meal), but we probably won't go again.
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Anne-Marie
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Monday, November 13, 2006

The resturant is great and the food but i have to say the amount of smoke from old people chain smoking was so bad that it ruined my whole meal...my clothes stunk my eyes burnt and felt like i was eating a dirty cigarette they should stop smoking in there or get a decent extraction system...
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J Paul
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3
Sunday, October 01, 2006

I decided to go in after noticing a banner which stated it had won an award for being the best in Waltham Forest. To my disappointment, this was not the case, my chicken curry came out barely warm and when i complained to the waiter he rolled his eyes at me,he did return it to the kitchen but it left the atmosphere very cold. If this really is the best restaurant in Waltham forest, I would advise people going to waltham forest for a meal to stay in and eat a pot noodle.
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bob
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Saturday, September 30, 2006

It's worth noting that the award for "Best restaurant in Waltham Forest" was not completely above board. When we went there, the Star of India had clearly bought up multiple copies of the local paper (which was running the competition) and at the end of our meal, presented each member of our party with the entry form to fill in. We could of course have refused to do so (but that would have seemed rude) or filled in the name of a different restaurant (but then I'm sure it would never have been posted off). When it looked like we might not fill it in, they bribed us with extra After Eights! So, take the award with a pinch of salt.

Having said that, the food was pretty good - perhaps not up to what you'd get in the best Brick Lane restaurants, but certainly among the best in Leytonstone. Our only concern was that one or two items were a little greasy - particularly the vegetable pasanda - and when we had a takeaway a while later that was even worse.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Monday, July 17, 2006