On 30 Nov 2013 at 11:39pm Stevied wrote:
For the second time in as many years, have walked out of the Spice Merchant and gone elsewhere. Booked a table but on arrival (on time) was told that they were running ten minutes late - fair enough, but after 45 minutes standing in a packed waiting area whilst being assured that our table was 'almost' ready we'd had enough. Went to the Palin instead; an ocean of calm and tranquillity - should have gone there in the first place...
On 1 Dec 2013 at 10:36am Pilau wrote:
Why would you go anywhere else other than Shanaz for a curry?! Amazing food, great service and a better atmosphere. Best curry house in lewes no question
On 1 Dec 2013 at 11:01am The Kronic wrote:
I ordered a dhansak from the shanaz, it was milder than a korma. When i asked why it wasn't hot, like a dhansak is supposed to be, they said i'd have to ask for it to be hot. last time i go there.
On 1 Dec 2013 at 11:05am Townie wrote:
@stevied. Unfortunately, you can't just throw customers out of the door after they've eaten. The fact that the spice merchants is packed and you can't get a seat whilst the Palin was empty should tell you something.
As for the Shanaz, I agree with kronic, never had particularly good food from there.
On 1 Dec 2013 at 11:15am Belladonna wrote:
The point is though that the Spice Merchant has overbooked - no one should be kept waiting for a booked table for 45 minutes and if they have a system of 'sittings' customers need to be clearly told what time they are expected to vacate their table. We no longer use the Spice Merchant because of their chaotic take away system which has twice resulted in being given completely the wrong order and having to wait for it to be recooked. Not great.
On 1 Dec 2013 at 11:53am stevied wrote:
The final straw was when we caught them giving the table that we'd continually been assured was going to be 'ours' to a group that had come in well after us. Great food but they couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery...
On 1 Dec 2013 at 12:42pm wrote:
Its the restaurants fault that everyone wants a table on a saturday eve......
Try going another night!
On 1 Dec 2013 at 5:47pm Rosiecheeks wrote:
I used to go there all the time, loved it, expensive but good food. Then when I went there, they lost my credit card, they took it away from the table which is not a done thing, they did find it eventually. Then I booked a table for a birthday. When we arrived they had no table a available, so they brought a table from somewhere (I think the then Dilrahj). Squeezed it in between the other tables in the front. No one could move, not even the waiters. When our food eventually arrived, 4 of the the main dishes were cold, so sent the back. When we got the bill , several drinks that we hadn't ordered had been added to out bill. I did complain so didn't pay the service charge. They didn't care. So 5 years later, we haven't been back. We go to uckfield instead. Great curries there, easy to park and cheaper.
On 1 Dec 2013 at 5:47pm DFL wrote:
One wonders from reading all your posts if there are any decent businesses in Lewes ?
On 1 Dec 2013 at 7:58pm Not been since wrote:
Went to SM last year with party of about 12. Main courses were served over a period of some ten minutes. Waiter manged to spill a drink down the back of one of friends neck
A truly delightful experience I'll never risk repeating
On 1 Dec 2013 at 9:42pm Zen Curry wrote:
Four of us were there on Saturday night - saw you storming out as we were waiting at reception. We had booked a table for 8.15. They said that lots of people were overstaying much more than normal; I suggested to the manager that our party go to the Lewes Arms for a pint - the SM Merchant was very grateful. Left my number, he called half an hour later and we rocked up and got our table, plus two rounds of drinks free for the inconvenience.
Sometimes, you just have to accept that things aren't working out, and decide what you can do to help rather than getting angry. Life is like that.
btw - been going to the excellent SM since it opened, this is the first time had this problem. Love Shanaz, but SM beats it hands fown - just try their Karahi dish.
On 1 Dec 2013 at 10:24pm gordon blue wrote:
Tried them all. Theres not a decent restaurant in Lewes.
On 2 Dec 2013 at 7:47am bruce wrote:
I agree - except perhaps Chaula's for at least being a bit real - and perhaps Lime Tree for courage. Why not?
On 2 Dec 2013 at 7:32pm Greg wrote:
I have found that the SM has changed over the years due to the staff turn around they have.
2-3 Years ago it was the same staff every time I went in, they even learnt my name, order and was always offered a free drink. It was the personal touches that made it enjoyable.
I know only use the SM on special occasions maybe once/twice a year as the staff was constantly changing and had lost that high level of quality, friendly and personal service that made them so good.
As for the food, it has been hit and miss for some time! However, it is better than the others on offer in Lewes by a long mile!
On 2 Dec 2013 at 8:03pm Mahat Mahcoat wrote:
I can well believe that poster moaning about his dodgy dhansak! It's something I'd never order from a standard menu. Like byriani, it's a festival dish, and takes a few hours of fiddly prep and cooking to produce a wonderful dish of food.
The most authentic Indian food in Lewes is found at Chaula's buffet. Really nicely made Hyderabad chicken or saag gosht, different dhals, rice and breads. Nothing fancy - just good wholesome Indian food. Absolutely recommend.
On 3 Dec 2013 at 1:17am property investor wrote:
If anyone bothered to look at the flat they were selling it was obvious what kind of business they are running. They had at least 8 people in the two bed flat. Truly tragic. I don't believe in a easy life, but sweatshop food...no.
if you eat there, you support employee exploitation
On 3 Dec 2013 at 7:52am Earl of Lewes wrote:
@Townie - The fact that the Palin's emptier just tells me that fewer people like Thai food. They're missing out, as both the food and service are excellent.
On 3 Dec 2013 at 8:19am Townie wrote:
@Earl of Lewes - The fact that SM is so busy just tells me that it's an extremely good Indian eatery
On 3 Dec 2013 at 11:21am GhostBike wrote:
I just don't get why people think SM is so good - it's just a fairly ordinary anglo style curry house. Chaulas on the other hand is really quite special, proper Indian food.
On 3 Dec 2013 at 11:34am Belladonna wrote:
Anyone who thinks Paulin is great quality Thai food doesn't get out much. It's insipid and tasteless. Very disappointing.
Never been to Chualasbut have heard consistently good reports so will try there next...
On 3 Dec 2013 at 5:23pm Penguin wrote:
Haven't been in there for a while, but I can't say that I have ever found the Pailin to be like that Belladonna, although have certainly found the SM to be. The ability to cook rice ought to be fundamental to an Indian chef, but the last few times I have been there the rice has been mushy and horrible, as if it was (over)cooked the previous day and reheated.
On 4 Dec 2013 at 6:16pm steveied wrote:
I go in the Palin occasionally with a Thai friend who loves his food, and he really rates the place. Praise indeed - I love it there.
On 4 Dec 2013 at 7:48pm Sweet Pea wrote:
Aldi do a lovely scotch egg
On 4 Dec 2013 at 9:04pm Oooooooh errr wrote:
Thai friend steveied ????
Ting Tong ;-)
On 5 Dec 2013 at 3:27pm Duncan wrote:
Belladonna, I get out quite a lot thanks, and to a number of Thai restaurants, and your comments are completely unfair. Yet another example of your opinionated viciousness - don't you ever stop to think how your comments could negatively affect a local business?