Visit to the Mumtaz 4:30pm yesterday.
Hadn't been there for a few years so wanted to check it out against current opposition and had a dissapointing experience.
Partly my expectations, partly Mumtaz hype, but mostly the quality.
It was not to my expectations of years ago when it was one of the first of the original eateries to go upmarket. Excellent dishes cooked to perfection with impecable service - even if pricey. Acceptable place to take business visitors to the area.
Mumtaz has set their own advertised standards so high -"Word famous", "An experience in eating" that you might expect something special. It isn't. To say that it falls below their avowed standards is an understatement.
As for quality, well thats gone by the wayside in many respects.
There are no complimentary items except water.
Starter for two was a dish I remenber the Mumtaz for. Massala fish - cod fillet marinated and cooked in the Tandoor. Well seasoned and spicy without overpowering the fish, but slightly overcooked and with a dozen bones of 5cm still in. This is just lazy kitchen practice. £8.76
Karahi Chicken in an very flavorsome sauce but the pieces of meat seriously over cooked to negate any of its natural taste. £6.95
Karahi Aloo Gobi was superb, potatoes and cauliflower cooked to perfection. £5.95
The 20cm Rotis were of the "crispy" type and well appreciated at 85p each.
But the service is something that the management needs to address for as I do not want to appear pedantic, it should be judged by the standards that they purport and other restaurants of the same pretensions.
5 minutes sat at the table before a menu was offered in a restaurant that had less than 15 diners then had to ask for water. Menus were folded sheet laminated cardboard that were worn and partly dog-eared.
Our table was not cleaned of minor food debris after the first course.
Half way though paying our bill at the till the operator was taken away by a staff member for a private conversation leaving us waiting.
OK I've revisited Mumtaz and had a bit of a downer from what it used to be. I can move on but can they?
Hadn't been there for a few years so wanted to check it out against current opposition and had a dissapointing experience.
Partly my expectations, partly Mumtaz hype, but mostly the quality.
It was not to my expectations of years ago when it was one of the first of the original eateries to go upmarket. Excellent dishes cooked to perfection with impecable service - even if pricey. Acceptable place to take business visitors to the area.
Mumtaz has set their own advertised standards so high -"Word famous", "An experience in eating" that you might expect something special. It isn't. To say that it falls below their avowed standards is an understatement.
As for quality, well thats gone by the wayside in many respects.
There are no complimentary items except water.
Starter for two was a dish I remenber the Mumtaz for. Massala fish - cod fillet marinated and cooked in the Tandoor. Well seasoned and spicy without overpowering the fish, but slightly overcooked and with a dozen bones of 5cm still in. This is just lazy kitchen practice. £8.76
Karahi Chicken in an very flavorsome sauce but the pieces of meat seriously over cooked to negate any of its natural taste. £6.95
Karahi Aloo Gobi was superb, potatoes and cauliflower cooked to perfection. £5.95
The 20cm Rotis were of the "crispy" type and well appreciated at 85p each.
But the service is something that the management needs to address for as I do not want to appear pedantic, it should be judged by the standards that they purport and other restaurants of the same pretensions.
5 minutes sat at the table before a menu was offered in a restaurant that had less than 15 diners then had to ask for water. Menus were folded sheet laminated cardboard that were worn and partly dog-eared.
Our table was not cleaned of minor food debris after the first course.
Half way though paying our bill at the till the operator was taken away by a staff member for a private conversation leaving us waiting.
OK I've revisited Mumtaz and had a bit of a downer from what it used to be. I can move on but can they?
