Comments spot on as usual. I had a lunch at Mowgli is Manchester. Same experience- bad service , mediocre quality and expensive for what we were served. This chain is owned by Nisha Katona who with Tom Kerridge pontificates in a very annoying and patronising manner on The Great British Menu. both of these people critique food but do not ensure the quality expectations are up to standard in their own establishments. Sadly so common with places with ‘celebrity’ associations and endorsements.
Yeah I really dislike so called celebrity chefs. Their restaurants are 9 times out of 10 very mediocre. They are happy to profit while ripping off customers I don’t respect them.
Being Asian myself, I would never even think of going to a place like that, I have taken my English mates to small places which don’t look so good from the outside, but when they taste the food, they are genuinely blown away with how good it is.
thats the best places tho they dont have or want to use the money to making some super flash outside and inside they just want good food. Same goes for breakfast cafes diners ect..
It's always the small places that do the best . We have a ramshackle looking g place here on the south side of Glasgow.. best lamb bhoona on the planet .
@@Nimblets so true, a place I took some younger family members a few weeks ago, they lost their minds when they tasted the food and I had to order them more… place has not changed its decor since the 80’s ! And their menu consists of 4/5 choices and that’s it !! Been that was since day one and never changed! But they still going strong
Just an 'upmarket' plastic chain! Old skool 70s Bangladeshsi owned curry house for late night food x after a few, inidlands Royal Oak pub for desi grill and footy and ladypool road for balti.
@@kiranpatel6521 agree, those places churning out food for after drinking clients have the worst Asian food, which Asians could not actually eat. Have been in their kitchens and see, everything is precooked , big put of pre cooked onion gravy…. Everything put together in a few minutes ! No wonder the customers complain about sitting on the toilet all night 🤣
Not specifically commenting on this video but wow, you are soooo wholesome. What a lovely character. Even when scoring a restaurant down you take time out to appreciate the stresses staff may be under and acknowledge that an experience could be different on a different day. Game changing food reviews and delighted I found your channel. Since I subscribed about three days ago your followers have gone up by nearly 300 people and I hope that continues. In a world of put downs and negativity, I do think you stand out as someone genuine and honest. I'm going to visit a friend in London in a few months and based on your wonderful video, we'll be going to Andy's for a meal. Thanks for this, please continue.
Yeah I don't know what peanuts are recommending these places. I think they're just taking the piss. Find out who they are and ban them from the channel.
@@GaryEats If you ever get a recommendation to review a Gastropub in Reading beginning with M , it's the same customer that I have told you about wearing ' Gary eats ' T shirt . They told me they wanted to but when I told the owner , she was like NOooo, ! That would be too much pressure . hahaha
A couple of months ago I unfortunately ate at Mowgli Birmingham. It wasn’t just the worst curry I’ve ever had, it was probably the worst meal I’ve ever had.
As an Indian, my heart always sinks when I see a chain restaurant. I wonder who the chef's are that they employ. Personally I prefer a family run restaurant, you tend to get more authentic home cooked type food.
There chef is probably a Romanian dude who couldn't care less about Indian food haha....but you're right a good family run Indian is always your best bet.
An overwhelming number of curry chains across UK have been taken over by Bangladeshis. They have retained the names of Indian dishes because it is favorable to sales, but you will notice a stark contrast in taste.
@captainhaddock6524 I think so I now live near an Indian restaurant. I was looking forward to it...but the portions are small and tasteless. It's just additional salt/less meat
Remember gazza if you send food back , don't take a replacement , I worked in kitchens , some cooks /chefs take it extremely personal and do unspeakable things to the food of someone that has complained . Rule of thumb , complain nicely, move on, and grab a chippy or burger if you're still hungry . Another well-balanced review .
This made me think back to the 'Going for an English' sketch on Goodness Gracious Me, when ordering, you should have also asked the waiter "What have you got that is not totally tasteless" lol
hah spot on, I would be interested to see a response from the owners / celebrity endorsers, in particular to the question over whether it is all cooked onsite
The trick I have learned with curries as a cook for 8+ years now is to treat it like a stew, dont just cook it in a sauce pan and serve immediately after 10 mins of cooking, instead cook the sauce in a large pot and slow cook it for hours, its even better when its a tomato based gravy to let it cool, fridge it over night and enjoy the next day (Tomato flavours age really well and improves with time)
This is the issue with many establishments - they have a "base" where additional ingredients are added on the fly along with a protein, you can tell the difference between, as you say, long - slow cooking and something made to order with little - to no heart or soul put into it.
4:43 when I purchase produce, the first I do is I smell the produce, If it doesn't smell like an Onion it's not worth buying, when I pickup a Pineapple, if it doesn't smell like a Pineapple I don't purchase. I think the scent profile is 90% of the food initially. You're on the ball Garra. Keep on doing your thing, we love you Brah.
It’s disappointing to have a bland curry at an Indian restaurant but you still managed to deliver an excellent, honest review. Thank you Gary and cameramen.
Can you imagine - one of the most enthusiastic, forgiving, and honest reviewers... I imagine Gary would not wish to be rude and would always seek to be positive. There is a hard lesson here for the venue.
Not surprised, these chain restaurants usually serve poor quality bland soulless food, I always avoid them and go to independent family run establishments.
@@gazzertrn some of the Iceland curry's are pretty good .here i am in Herts you cannot get a decent curry mainly just hot with no flavour now i know why all microwaved. 💩!
@@robkeeleycomposerit's true, curry tasting great heated up the next day is no myth so some of those frozen or microwave curries are actually fairly decent.
When I worked for a large Japanese car manufacturer one of my roles was working with a Pakistani chap. His family had a curry place and I told him that I microwaved my currys. He immediately told me how bad that was as it killed all the spices. He told me to always heat/cook my currys in a pan on a medium heat. When I did the difference was immense. So, if they are microwaving the food that could explain the lack of flavour. I buy quite a few supermarket currys that could/should be microwaved and always heat them in a pan, much better.
That’s just not true. I microwave my takeaway Indian the day after, sometimes 2 days after. Because it’s a all in a bowl the spices combine and the flavour is unbelievable. Way better than the first day. Unless you are talking about the first time it’s cooked, this is wrong
I felt for you Gary. You were running out of words…that's unheard of but what can you say about bland food. Something really wrong if Indian food doesn't smell good…or smell of anything. Go now Gary to a really good family run restaurant to restore your faith…and ours ! Shame on this place for taking people's hard earned money.
Living in area North of Chicago we can visit eateries from New York, L.A. and from many countries around the world. HOWEVER the best meals always seem to come from FAMILY owned places who LOVE cooking dishes from the place they lived in and from cooking they learn from their families growing up. Better a 10 table cozy place than a 45 table rushed and a 20 gallon pot of the 10 best sellers on the menus. Thanks again for suffering for us and take care and be safe. God Bless you and the cameraman for another great review and video.
We went to a Mowgli restaurant about 2 years ago and will never go back there again. I was left feeling hungry and robbed of money after eating there. It might be 'street food' but at least give me portions for the price you are asking for!
It was a breath of fresh air when it first opened in Liverpool but now a classic example of a chain that lost quality as it expanded. The original one is still good though.
I went to the bold St one when it first opened and it wasn't bad. Been back several times and it's Very hit and miss. Mostly miss if I'm being honest. I've had bland watery curries from there so I'll never return
Thanks for this Gary I’ll now called Mrs P my Food Tiffin Roulette “ you’ll never know what your likely too get 😂😂😂 BTW I’ve noticed your subs have jumped 12 thousand since your last review 😮
The Indian ancestors are cringing at that display of their wonderful cuisine! That’s absolutely crazy to have Indian food with little to no flavor!! Somebody call Gordon we need a Kitchen nightmare episode!
I already left a comment 😂😂😂😂😂😂 saying he had front page headlines delivery 🚚 microwaved food...photos as well...I think around 2009-10...well obvs .we r all shocked bcos of kitchen nightmares...how he would never serve or keep the kitchen etc....😂😂😂
I absolutely agree. I visited my first Mowgli restaurant in Liverpool recently. Very nice interior as you say. The food was completely tasteless. But the place was full - there’s no accounting for taste - or lack of.
Yeah I would agree too with the curries, really bland and not much flavour, I did really rate their cheese toast with their lime pickle which was lovely and also their gunpowder chicken was good too, but for curries I’d give it a miss unfortunately!
Back in the early 60s I had a "Madras prawn curry" with turned out to be last night's reheated slops, complete with half smoked curried cigarette. Sent that back and walked, never to return. I had been a regular lunchtime customer. The beginning of my learning curve.
@@hannahroberts6295 The BIR technique is to pre make a huge amount of a mostly onion gravy that requires long cooking time as a base sauce. This can be kept in the fridge. Each dish is then prepared very quickly using fresh ingredients and flash frying to individual order to add to this base. It's a technique I have used with my homemade curries that works very well.
We do have quite a lot of indian restaurants here in Norway. Usually the food is not that spicy as the owners are scared of complaints of serving too spicy food. The result is probably as you experienced, no taste. My recommendation if you visit Norway, visit the west coast. Stavanger, Bergen and Ålesund. Here you will find the best fish food restaurants in the world. There is a direct flight from Aberdeen to Stavanger.
Ya I thought the same thing, great looking place, good prices, cool to go there and get afew different dishes like Gary....then he hit us with the "bland" word haha
Gary, I’m finally watching you before dinner and not late at night and it’s the first time I’m not envious of your meal or craving a dinner I can’t get out here in the Boonies! My corned beef and roast veggies are ready in a few minutes and smell wonderful! Time to get on with it!
Gary after trying that street food give yourself a go at Le Raj in Tadworth , Enam Ali started this restaurant his son now runs it , Enam Ali is the founder of the British curry awards
It should be incredible then there's no excuse for a curry to be bland that way xD You actually have to do that for a curry for service anyway. No hand made rotis, pakora etc to order would be the difference that somewhere bad doesn't bother with though.
As I'm sure you know, most curry houses use a base sauce and just modify it for whatever dish you order. I strongly suspect their base sauce is crap, with no flavour and that ruins everything they do.
There's an excellent channel called Al's Kitchen - he has an insanely good recipe for base gravy. www.youtube.com/@AlsKitchen Felt sorry for Gary - I also feel sorry for restaurants when they get a bad review - its not an easy business to be in, and reviews can make or break them. Especially feel sorry for the staff.
Hi Gary. I really enjoy your reviews. The detail you give is great. I remember in Swindon there were three Indian restaurants on the same street. The first was brightly lit,all the dishes on the menu were translated, it looked really good. The quality was about the same as you are describing here. The next restaurant was not so plush, not so well lit but the food was much better. The third one was very dimly lit, the service was much better, there was spilled rice on the floor and the seating wasn’t very comfortable…But…the food was fantastic.
All of my Indian friends cringe when she attempts to cook, no skills whatsoever. Instead watch Dipna from Brilliant restaurant. She is on James Martin's kitchen often. Real cooking.
I'm in the restaurant business in Malta and am totally addicted to your channel which I only recently discovered. Your reviews are fun and I love your sense of humour and optimism - your expressions and mannerisms actually remind me of the Alan Partridge character (though way better looking 😉😉) for some reason. I love your genuine enthusiasm to try out new dishes and venues and give us your honest, un-biased opinion. One thing I really appreciate is that you often say "well maybe it was a bad day at the office". Although this isn't always the case, sometimes the very best restaurants can have a crisis in the kitchen like equipment failure or a staff injury which affects quality and service. So it's so nice of you to give the benefit of the doubt when things aren't up to the expected standards. Having said that, bland Indian cuisine is definitely a sin.
The rotis looked like an amazon box. The fact the food had no aroma is a red flag straight away as a large percentage of taste is actually smell, over 70% according to studies. (Thats why food tastes bland when you have a cold). Its always nice to see you try something a little bit different but in this case it just wasn't worthit. 4 was a bit generous tbh. We live and learn Gary. Good video as usual and the presenting/camera work just getts better and better. Can't wait for your next review.
The owner of Mowgli (Nisha Katona) is a regular cook on This Morning. When she made her Butter Chicken on the show, I cooked it and it was fantastic ! She would be embarrassed if she saw this.
Maybe if she sees this review she will investigate why things have got so bad but only if she cares about her brand. Gary is well trusted and supported in his reviews and only gives poor reviews when totally warranted.
I'm very surprised at Gary's review. Nisha has built up Mowgli from scratch from a small site in Liverpool and takes immense and personal pride in what it produces. It's also one of the more ethical companies to work for. She'd be disappointed with this review.
Nice review Gary 👌 mowgli was walking around with a nappy, So i personally wont be going there as you might just need a nappy after eating. I wouldnt even rate it on a points system. I have a recommendation for you Blue Water, Whitchurch, Shropshire. Its not street food but value is on point 👌 💯 ill dm you the details
@GaryEats OK so BLUE WATER Indian restaurant has a 5 course banquet on offer all for £11.95. However It's just increased to £12.95 which I think is excellent value. 👌 so you have a choice of starters followed by a main dish Then a choice of Rice, chips or nan bread also you get poppadoms and the chutneys myself and my wife order 1 rice and the nan bread and pay extra for the chips 🍟 then you have a choice of ice cream 🍦 or a sweet or coffee ☕️ food quality is of excellent quality 😀 now the 5 course banquet is only on 3 days of a week Sunday being one of them. You need to book as its packed by 17.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs. Try and I hope you enjoy
An unfortunate case of Style over Substance. The most exciting thing about Indian cuisine is the incredible aromas and intense flavours. You're a fair reviewer and your disappointment was obvious. Every time I hear the word tiffin I always think of Carry On Up the Khyber. 😃
My wife and I have been going to Mowgli Bold Street in Liverpool since it opened. We even had our first date there and since visited Leeds, Manchester, Chester and the food is exceptional the restaurants are always full which speaks for itself. Interestingly about 3 mths ago (same time as this review) we went to the Water Street restaurant and it was awful, so bad that we couldn’t face another Mowgli until recently. We were devastated at the time and i do wonder if this was just a quality blip… I’m happy to inform our recent visit has restored our love of Mowgli.
@GaryEats on a separate note my wife and I went to the Tharavadu in Leeds on your recommendation and I even tried your beloved lamb chop. Wow what an amazing restaurant... delicious food and amazing staff. I did a fb review whilst still in the restaurant, they must have spotted the review and also noticed it was my wife's birthday and surprised us with a cake. Amazing place... thanks for the recommendation and I great birthday present
Welcome to the Channel Jennifer. Having watched his channel from the beginning, I can assure you, Gary and his son , the cameraman, provide all us subs with amazing videos. They work so well together. Take care. S
I LOVE curries and make it myself two to three times a week. You don't have to cook a curry for hours to get flavour, that is a bit of a fallacy. In fact, I can make a pretty decent one from scratch in under 15 minutes, believe it or not. My trick is to spice the meat (NOT with curry spices) VERY liberally upfront, fry it on high heat, add a stock and reduce 2/3rds, THEN add curry spices, tomato and vegetables and whatever else and cook until "spoon thick". It is really that simple. It baffles me how you can do a flavourless curry.
@@strumbolli sorry , I'll rephrase what I'm trying to say. In Gary's case, everything was not , well for want of a better word, Indian! Indian , Bengali , Punjabi , class all of them from the Indian subcontinent are different but not bland or mediocre. Just call the manager and tell him so ! Don't ask for a replacement, apart from one dish , everything else was nonsense. . The only time when they might add "extras", is if you ever went back ! 🧐😟😱🤐🤢🤮
They are a bought in brand called "Elephant". That firm is owned by the same people that own "Primark" so probably made in sweatshops in Kolkata....or Leicester 🤔🤐
Gary I did notice that you haven't visited an Italian place lately. If I could suggest one restaurant it would be PaStation, London. Idk whether you'll take my suggestion seriously but I happened to try the half lobster pasta and some other pasta dishes and I must admit I was transferred into another realm. Please do consider this gem of a place. Super affordable for central London.
Hi Gary, a lovely looking interior to this restaurant, but the moment that food hit the table, I thought it looked like what I'd find in the run-down food court at my local shopping centre. Given how busy this place is, I'm surprised the food was so bland & sub-standard. Saved a little bit by the butter chicken though. Subscribers who recommended this to you Gary, have given you the old bum steer! 😅 You might have just caught this restaurant on a bad day too. Score seemed right. You & the cameraman take care & see you next time. 💙
The food looked as bad as I'd expect from what appears to be a very "hip" place to go. People think its good because they pay over the odds and theres that decor.
at minute 5:30 I start laughing and it gets better and better, thanks for the tears in my eyes at the end. I suffer with you every time and enjoy it heartily. When the food is good, I enjoy it with you in a joyful way too, of course. Your way of expressing yourself is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your time with us.
It's nigh on impossible for trained professional Indian chefs to produce bland Indian cuisine. So either the head chef and kitchen brigade are rank amateurs, or standards are so low they just don't care. Or both. The owners also appear not to give a damn and are clearly out of touch with their business and the damage this is causing to reputations.
Bet the kitchen has binders with laminated recipe cards that have step by step picture instructions and they cook vats of the stuff at a go. The price was as shocking as the quality of the food, 6 quid for Dahl! Someone gave you a bum steer there.
I have a lot of issues going on on my life and when I see that Gary has a new video out, it's a massive piece of escapism for me. Thanks Gary and sorry that the food wasn't up to par today. Gotta take the rough with the smooth though eh?
Great review, Gary. Never used that terminology "Bach cooking" but spot on. I understand that profit margins for restaurants are tight, but this type of meal out, is becoming for me more common. Has you said it's not bad enough to send back. But when you have paid and left, I think what was that all about !!, that's this week's calorie count gone, and for two, with alcohol over a hundred of your hard earned pounds gone. Put the food before the profit margin, and the rest will follow.
The best genuine Indian street food is served at Bhel puri pani puri in Leicester LE12LB featured on Rick Stein series on tv and is absolutely ace. Ps. Take cash as is preferred. Pps I’m English and have no affiliation ( only great respect) for the food here
I've never made a curry but from other cooking I know that you shouldn't add all ingredients at the start or they lose flavour when you slow cook them. You add stuff like bell peppers near the end to keep the taste & texture intact. I think they overcooked everything which made it lose all its flavour - if the ingredients are low quality it only compounds the blandness.
Hi iv been a chef for 30 years and iv been to this place a few times by mine in Liverpool, same problem always looks great but very bland me thinks sous-vide batch cooking 😮
I'm embarrassed for Oxfordshire. Went there ages ago and was also unimpressed. Unfortunately Oxford city centre is far too difficult to drive to and park, so even living local-ish we don't visit very often. Thankfully there are some amazing curry houses and restaurants outside of the city centre.
I'm sure the city planners had your inconvenience with parking your car that did not exist all those years ago. Their park and ride system however is pretty decent.
You’re right Gary no professional chef would let tasteless food leave their kitchen seems to be too much of this going on in the UK, I was in Salou the other day and found the most beautiful Indian food I’ve ever tasted. Keep up the good work.👍
Everything at the top of the Westgate Centre is terrible, overpriced, chain food restaurants. The Cowley Road can offer you cuisine from around the world, from almost always independent business. Otherwise Gino's on Gloucester Green in the City Centre is a family run Italian that is exceptional and absolute must if you ever return!
@@JoeyRhubarb You're telling me!!! Popped in to Karma on Cowley Road a couple of years ago and it has to go down as the worst Indian we've ever had, so bad in fact, it put my mum off Indian food for good!
@@sanmiguel4019 I've not tried Karma yet but good to know! Try Yeti a bit further along. Technically Nepalese not Indian but always been brilliant! Interesting and varied menu.
Im not a huge fan of mowgli, haven't had amazing food there, there was actually an upmarket Indian restaurant on the same rooftop where mowgli is that shut down a few years ago, that was absolute amazing! a real shame it closed!
@PotatoPirate123 only in my experience its always the same sauce for every different curry.like I say only in my experience. You maybe had better experience than me
I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford in 85/86. I went to Oxford many times. One of the first places I ate at was Bogart's Pizza, I remember they put unpitted olives on top of the pizza and I thought how strange. lol
Cant believe they have good ratings. The one in Corn Street, Bristol was absolutely pants. 100% reheated. shocking food. Very bland indeed. Zero flavour.
I know for a fact that their Rotis are bought in and are a brand called "Elephant", which is a company owned by the same people as "Primark". So probably slave labour in Kolkata 🤨🤭🤐
Elephant Atta is a very long established brand of chapatti (roti) flour in the UK. There is no way they use slave labour from Indian garment factories to produce their flour. I'm pretty sure all the flour will be sourced from the UK and Europe. It doesn't make any sense otherwise.
I’d value your review more than anyone else’s as it’s always honest and with integrity. Quick question - as a newbie to Indian food (and not a fan of a lot of spice) what dishes would you suggest trying?
I was going to say it looks like they re-heated or left the food out for too long and that's why it doesn't smell of anything, but your comments at the end said as much. Good review nevertheless :)
Everything is now touted as "street food". Street food is regular food served from carts on the street. It's not special food. It's not different and certainly not supppsed to be served at inflated prices. Street food can ONLY be purchased on the street. Did I also hear £5.50 for Cobra ???? Food literally served in camping gear. Naan Bread looks awful
Just a comment....there are many many many many vloggers with large amount of subscribers (even channels with multiple millions of subscribers)....but their views seldomly reflects their amount of followers....your channel on the other hand....does the job! So, props for that! 👍🏻
My first thought was whether you had a cold,but obviously not. How very strange. Also,that roti looked quite bizarre as well. My mum used to make rotis, and they never looked like that.Hopefully, the next place will be better.
Mowgli...owned by Nisha Katona from The Great British Menu. Problem with a chain, hard to find staff who care, unlike a family business. But thanks...I know to avoid! Great work!
Can I ask, when you get situations like this where you’re unsatisfied with the food, do you complain off camera? I understand why you would choose not to show it, but if I’m in a restaurant and the food is lousy I let them know about it. As far as I’m concerned, if I’m paying someone to cook me food it should be significantly better than I could do myself at home.
Comments spot on as usual. I had a lunch at Mowgli is Manchester. Same experience- bad service , mediocre quality and expensive for what we were served. This chain is owned by Nisha Katona who with Tom Kerridge pontificates in a very annoying and patronising manner on The Great British Menu. both of these people critique food but do not ensure the quality expectations are up to standard in their own establishments. Sadly so common with places with ‘celebrity’ associations and endorsements.
Thank you Ian, just very underwhelming. Sorry you didn't like it too
One day an investigator will uncover that it was heated tin food all along 😆😆😅😅😂😂
Yeah I really dislike so called celebrity chefs. Their restaurants are 9 times out of 10 very mediocre. They are happy to profit while ripping off customers I don’t respect them.
@@AW-kr9fl no one cares
Exactly, whenever any of so called celebrity is being engaged, whole business goes to rubbish bin in a week, lol.
Being Asian myself, I would never even think of going to a place like that, I have taken my English mates to small places which don’t look so good from the outside, but when they taste the food, they are genuinely blown away with how good it is.
thats the best places tho they dont have
or want to use the money to making some super flash outside and inside they just want good food. Same goes for breakfast cafes diners ect..
It's always the small places that do the best . We have a ramshackle looking g place here on the south side of Glasgow.. best lamb bhoona on the planet .
@@Nimblets so true, a place I took some younger family members a few weeks ago, they lost their minds when they tasted the food and I had to order them more… place has not changed its decor since the 80’s !
And their menu consists of 4/5 choices and that’s it !! Been that was since day one and never changed! But they still going strong
Just an 'upmarket' plastic chain! Old skool 70s Bangladeshsi owned curry house for late night food x after a few, inidlands Royal Oak pub for desi grill and footy and ladypool road for balti.
@@kiranpatel6521 agree, those places churning out food for after drinking clients have the worst Asian food, which Asians could not actually eat. Have been in their kitchens and see, everything is precooked , big put of pre cooked onion gravy…. Everything put together in a few minutes ! No wonder the customers complain about sitting on the toilet all night 🤣
the gentrification of food...small portions, expensive decor and poor cook/service
Oxford. What do you expect?? 😄
@@robkeeleycomposer not "street food"
Was quite disappointed here
This is a UK wide chain , and thanks to Gary for saving me cash and a wasted night here in Glasgow@@robkeeleycomposer
Perfect for Oxford
Not specifically commenting on this video but wow, you are soooo wholesome. What a lovely character. Even when scoring a restaurant down you take time out to appreciate the stresses staff may be under and acknowledge that an experience could be different on a different day. Game changing food reviews and delighted I found your channel. Since I subscribed about three days ago your followers have gone up by nearly 300 people and I hope that continues. In a world of put downs and negativity, I do think you stand out as someone genuine and honest. I'm going to visit a friend in London in a few months and based on your wonderful video, we'll be going to Andy's for a meal. Thanks for this, please continue.
That is a really lovely comment to make and really appreciated thank you very much Christian
When Gary says "no", you don't go 😊😊😊
Should be on a T-shirt lol
Haha seems like a good slogan. I feel as if that one will stick with me.
Leicester do the best curry’s 🥘. 🇮🇳 .
If ya not going to eat the chillies in your curry you may aswell order a soup
Shame Gary, love Oxford ❤
Whoever recommended that place is either a shareholder or needs striking off. Thanks for an honest review.
Yeah I don't know what peanuts are recommending these places. I think they're just taking the piss. Find out who they are and ban them from the channel.
A clueless rah-rah?
Thank you. I get many recommendations everyday
@@GaryEats Eventually you'll go to every restaurant in England.
@@GaryEats If you ever get a recommendation to review a Gastropub in Reading beginning with M , it's the same customer that I have told you about wearing ' Gary eats ' T shirt . They told me they wanted to but when I told the owner , she was like NOooo, ! That would be too much pressure . hahaha
A couple of months ago I unfortunately ate at Mowgli Birmingham. It wasn’t just the worst curry I’ve ever had, it was probably the worst meal I’ve ever had.
That’s not good Graham
Birmingham one is so hit and miss
With Birmingham being such a highly rated city when it comes to curries ..... you have to be good to survive 😊
@@Lovenotwar67No, there’s plenty of crap ones around.
@@mikelowrey4303 Not compared to other cities
Gazza, I'm a UK born but currently living overseas, but if I get homesick or need grounding, I have a dose of your channel. Cheers+
That’s very kind to say thank you
The trouble with chains are that the accountants are in the kitchen.
Very very good point
Far too many fake managers and a few chefs making mega amounts of food in Dark Kitchens
@@GaryEats Look at the NHS Mess
@@poxylandgamesers959 Cooks not chefs IMHO
Don’t blame the accountants. It’s the chefs that make the food. If you don’t taste and have passion you turn out bland food.
I love the garyeats channel, straight forward and no fake host unlike TV. Keep up the great work 👌
That is a very kind comment to make thank you very much
It must be a pain in the arse for Gary's wife when they go out for the evening.
As an Indian, my heart always sinks when I see a chain restaurant. I wonder who the chef's are that they employ. Personally I prefer a family run restaurant, you tend to get more authentic home cooked type food.
Precisely. More pride and therefore, more effort is given
There chef is probably a Romanian dude who couldn't care less about Indian food haha....but you're right a good family run Indian is always your best bet.
An overwhelming number of curry chains across UK have been taken over by Bangladeshis. They have retained the names of Indian dishes because it is favorable to sales, but you will notice a stark contrast in taste.
Cooked with your heart not with a £ value
@captainhaddock6524 I think so
I now live near an Indian restaurant. I was looking forward to it...but the portions are small and tasteless. It's just additional salt/less meat
Thanks
That’s very kind and appreciated thank you very much, Matty
Love the fact that you were neither swayed by the recommendation nor the venue being full. Bland is bad and you said so. Keep it up!!!
Isnt "bland" Gordon's favourite word? good on you Gary for joining the master.
Thank you
I was going to go there for my birthday 🎉Your review has made me change my mind.
Remember gazza if you send food back , don't take a replacement , I worked in kitchens , some cooks /chefs take it extremely personal and do unspeakable things to the food of someone that has complained . Rule of thumb , complain nicely, move on, and grab a chippy or burger if you're still hungry . Another well-balanced review .
Totally agree!
Only get a refund 👍
That's good to know. Yuc😢
Thanks Alec and you're right
sounds like a win win for kitchen staff - do whatever you like and the worst you could ever get is front of house staff hearing a nice complaint.
Some may do , others actually take on board the issue and correct it.
This made me think back to the 'Going for an English' sketch on Goodness Gracious Me, when ordering, you should have also asked the waiter "What have you got that is not totally tasteless" lol
I’ll have the toad in my hole
Haha brilliant Ian
The day Gary unleashes his full Ramsay will be the day our country unites.
That was very funny, thank you very much
😀
hah spot on, I would be interested to see a response from the owners / celebrity endorsers, in particular to the question over whether it is all cooked onsite
The trick I have learned with curries as a cook for 8+ years now is to treat it like a stew, dont just cook it in a sauce pan and serve immediately after 10 mins of cooking, instead cook the sauce in a large pot and slow cook it for hours, its even better when its a tomato based gravy to let it cool, fridge it over night and enjoy the next day (Tomato flavours age really well and improves with time)
100% mate
This is the issue with many establishments - they have a "base" where additional ingredients are added on the fly along with a protein, you can tell the difference between, as you say, long - slow cooking and something made to order with little - to no heart or soul put into it.
100%. That's why it's always better the next day!
I slow cook all my curry's, Chilli con carne etc for 10-12 hours 👌
Nice tip, thanks!
4:43 when I purchase produce, the first I do is I smell the produce, If it doesn't smell like an Onion it's not worth buying, when I pickup a Pineapple, if it doesn't smell like a Pineapple I don't purchase. I think the scent profile is 90% of the food initially. You're on the ball Garra. Keep on doing your thing, we love you Brah.
You know what Shite smells like then lol 😊
Completely agree with you and thank you
It’s disappointing to have a bland curry at an Indian restaurant but you still managed to deliver an excellent, honest review. Thank you Gary and cameramen.
Thank you very much Debra ❤️
Can you imagine - one of the most enthusiastic, forgiving, and honest reviewers... I imagine Gary would not wish to be rude and would always seek to be positive. There is a hard lesson here for the venue.
Thank you very much Rob. Unfortunately, I get a lot of stick in the comments lol
Everyone is Intitled to their opinion. Great video Gary i love what you do . Keep up the good work 👏
It clearly means I can't spell 😅
Not surprised, these chain restaurants usually serve poor quality bland soulless food, I always avoid them and go to independent family run establishments.
I think that’s a far better idea, Robert
There's nothing worse than paying £10 for a curry as flavorful as a £1 frozen Iceland curry.
Iceland probably better.
@@gazzertrnthey are pretty good actually, for what they are.
@@gazzertrn some of the Iceland curry's are pretty good .here i am in Herts you cannot get a decent curry mainly just hot with no flavour now i know why all microwaved. 💩!
@@robkeeleycomposerit's true, curry tasting great heated up the next day is no myth so some of those frozen or microwave curries are actually fairly decent.
Yep, this was massively disappointing
When I worked for a large Japanese car manufacturer one of my roles was working with a Pakistani chap. His family had a curry place and I told him that I microwaved my currys. He immediately told me how bad that was as it killed all the spices. He told me to always heat/cook my currys in a pan on a medium heat. When I did the difference was immense. So, if they are microwaving the food that could explain the lack of flavour. I buy quite a few supermarket currys that could/should be microwaved and always heat them in a pan, much better.
Thank you for the tip. I'll be giving that a go.
You are so right
That’s just not true. I microwave my takeaway Indian the day after, sometimes 2 days after. Because it’s a all in a bowl the spices combine and the flavour is unbelievable. Way better than the first day. Unless you are talking about the first time it’s cooked, this is wrong
I felt for you Gary. You were running out of words…that's unheard of but what can you say about bland food. Something really wrong if Indian food doesn't smell good…or smell of anything. Go now Gary to a really good family run restaurant to restore your faith…and ours ! Shame on this place for taking people's hard earned money.
Its worse its boil in the bag stuff and they Nuke it because they cant boil water.
Living in area North of Chicago we can visit eateries from New York, L.A. and from many countries around the world. HOWEVER the best meals always seem to come from FAMILY owned places who LOVE cooking dishes from the place they lived in and from cooking they learn from their families growing up. Better a 10 table cozy place than a 45 table rushed and a 20 gallon pot of the 10 best sellers on the menus. Thanks again for suffering for us and take care and be safe. God Bless you and the cameraman for another great review and video.
Cannot wait to come to the US
People think a good curry is easy, it’s not!! All the best as ever Gary
Its.piss.easy.made.themfor.years
I'd imagine the curry was cooked today and hasn't had enough time to set and develop good flavour.
@@devanman7920 a.curry.is.best.left.reheated.n.scoffed
It's dead easy if you know how
Completely agree with you, just very underwhelming this one Andy
Honestly, I actually start feeling genuinely bad for Gary when he's eating a disappointing meal, especially a curry.
The curries are the ones that disappoint me most when they're bad, luckily this has been the only one!
@@GaryEatsdude that comment makes no sense lol
@@GaryEats next time Gary when you going to a place from recomendation check the reviews first 😂
I've gone to some places based on Gary's positive reviews. Havnt been disappointed by any 👍
I have so many to reply to my apologies you know what I meant!
We went to a Mowgli restaurant about 2 years ago and will never go back there again. I was left feeling hungry and robbed of money after eating there. It might be 'street food' but at least give me portions for the price you are asking for!
Completely agree with you, just very underwhelming
I nearly tried this the other day, there's one at Cheshire Oaks.. I won't bother now! Nice work Gary!
It was disappointing
Happy Labor Day from the US and A ! I lived in Oxford for 9 Years '77 to '86!
Changed beyond recognition now, you came at a good time.
@@edda682 The Best Era! The Oranges and Lemons Pub! The La Cantina Italian was the best place to eat it was in Westgate!
Happy Labor Day!
It was a breath of fresh air when it first opened in Liverpool but now a classic example of a chain that lost quality as it expanded. The original one is still good though.
I have heard that. Andy Hayler gave it a good review so it must be quality.
You are most likely correct Jon
Same with Bills Food. Original in Lewes was good, but they all got a bit rubbish when it turned into a chain.
I went to the bold St one when it first opened and it wasn't bad. Been back several times and it's Very hit and miss. Mostly miss if I'm being honest. I've had bland watery curries from there so I'll never return
Imagine if they put half as much effort into the food as they did on the ridiculous decor.
Indeed George, you're spot on
Very good point, George 👍.
Spot on
Thanks for this Gary I’ll now called Mrs P my Food Tiffin Roulette “ you’ll never know what your likely too get 😂😂😂 BTW I’ve noticed your subs have jumped 12 thousand since your last review 😮
I’m sure Mrs. P will give you a fantastic meal as she never let you down. lol 😂. I am surprised how the subs are rising so quickly.
@@GaryEats I’ve been let down more times by Mrs P Food than a Nuns Habit at a Catholic Priests Convention 😜
The Indian ancestors are cringing at that display of their wonderful cuisine! That’s absolutely crazy to have Indian food with little to no flavor!! Somebody call Gordon we need a Kitchen nightmare episode!
Gary's kitchen nightmares is good enough for me.
Wait until you see Ramsay's version of it at his place lol
Most high end hotels in India too serve bland Indian food.
I already left a comment 😂😂😂😂😂😂 saying he had front page headlines delivery 🚚 microwaved food...photos as well...I think around 2009-10...well obvs .we r all shocked bcos of kitchen nightmares...how he would never serve or keep the kitchen etc....😂😂😂
@@clone-2322do they really....so must b serving to Europe tastes @ as comment suggested....microwaved...😮
I absolutely agree. I visited my first Mowgli restaurant in Liverpool recently. Very nice interior as you say. The food was completely tasteless. But the place was full - there’s no accounting for taste - or lack of.
Totally agree. You've basically described my visit
@@GaryEats Water Street? My experience there was poor, to say the least!
Youre just jumping on the bandwagon lad
Yeah I would agree too with the curries, really bland and not much flavour, I did really rate their cheese toast with their lime pickle which was lovely and also their gunpowder chicken was good too, but for curries I’d give it a miss unfortunately!
McDonalds curry ?
Did you see a clown ? 🤡
The way you're describing it, I'd wager NONE of those dishes were cooked fresh. Just old, reheated food.
Back in the early 60s I had a "Madras prawn curry" with turned out to be last night's reheated slops, complete with half smoked curried cigarette. Sent that back and walked, never to return. I had been a regular lunchtime customer. The beginning of my learning curve.
I'd wager most curries are reheated in restaurants.
Fair enough! I agree
@@hannahroberts6295 The BIR technique is to pre make a huge amount of a mostly onion gravy that requires long cooking time as a base sauce. This can be kept in the fridge. Each dish is then prepared very quickly using fresh ingredients and flash frying to individual order to add to this base. It's a technique I have used with my homemade curries that works very well.
We do have quite a lot of indian restaurants here in Norway. Usually the food is not that spicy as the owners are scared of complaints of serving too spicy food. The result is probably as you experienced, no taste. My recommendation if you visit Norway, visit the west coast. Stavanger, Bergen and Ålesund. Here you will find the best fish food restaurants in the world. There is a direct flight from Aberdeen to Stavanger.
Well lets see what happens Thomas!
I thought "wow, what a cheap place in expensive Oxford", but then getting *bland* Indian food, I didn't even know that was possible...
Ya I thought the same thing, great looking place, good prices, cool to go there and get afew different dishes like Gary....then he hit us with the "bland" word haha
Neither did I, bizarre
Thats why most of us who live here don't eat in town we stay on the Cowley Rd!
UGH! And 6 pounds for DAHL????? You gotta be kidding me. It's freaking LENTILS! The whole place is a joke.
Yep, very disappointing unfortunately
£6 for dhal in a RESTAURANT, remember. And in Oxford too. Pretty hard to mess up, I grant you, but the prices aren’t way off.
That’s not so far off, it’s £5 from local takeaways.
@@StillAliveAndKicking_ Difference being you can get a decent dhal from a takeaway.
@@ferrumignis They’re very variable. For me tadka dhal is the test of a restaurant.
The cinematography has really stepped up recently. Good job camerman.
Thank you Patrick, we are trying our best... never expected this amount of viewers so taking a lot of getting used to
Gary, I’m finally watching you before dinner and not late at night and it’s the first time I’m not envious of your meal or craving a dinner I can’t get out here in the Boonies! My corned beef and roast veggies are ready in a few minutes and smell wonderful! Time to get on with it!
I really hope you enjoyed your corn beef and roast veggies, Wayne
So happy to see another upload as always... just as I'm getting home from work 😅
You're the best! Thank you
I love how it says Streetfood and then it's a glass palace full of glitterdust.
Haha Michael indeed
Gary after trying that street food give yourself a go at Le Raj in Tadworth , Enam Ali started this restaurant his son now runs it , Enam Ali is the founder of the British curry awards
Thanks for letting me know Janette
Stirling work Gary, just love your reviews whether good or bad you tell it as it is, 👍
Thank you very much
My pal was the head chef in the Edinburgh restaurant and the food isn't cooked to order. It's cooked and sitting in hot containers
It should be incredible then there's no excuse for a curry to be bland that way xD
You actually have to do that for a curry for service anyway. No hand made rotis, pakora etc to order would be the difference that somewhere bad doesn't bother with though.
Wouldn't that likely make the curry better? haha I thought it might be bland because it was just good and hasn't had enough time to sit and rest.
Looks like the aromas have evaporated in the kitchen whilst they were waiting 😞
That's the proper way to make it. The British Indian takeaway isn't the right way to make a curry.
Yep, not surprising then.. I was shocked by the lack of aroma more than anything
As I'm sure you know, most curry houses use a base sauce and just modify it for whatever dish you order. I strongly suspect their base sauce is crap, with no flavour and that ruins everything they do.
good point
Perhaps so, I was shocked at the lack of flavour
There's an excellent channel called Al's Kitchen - he has an insanely good recipe for base gravy.
www.youtube.com/@AlsKitchen
Felt sorry for Gary - I also feel sorry for restaurants when they get a bad review - its not an easy business to be in, and reviews can make or break them. Especially feel sorry for the staff.
Brilliant channel
@@RobMcGuirkthank you so much for the recommendation!
Yet another totally honest review Gary, you'll never make a politician or councillor 😂
Thank you David, thank god I'd never want to be one lol
Hi Gary. I really enjoy your reviews. The detail you give is great. I remember in Swindon there were three Indian restaurants on the same street. The first was brightly lit,all the dishes on the menu were translated, it looked really good. The quality was about the same as you are describing here. The next restaurant was not so plush, not so well lit but the food was much better. The third one was very dimly lit, the service was much better, there was spilled rice on the floor and the seating wasn’t very comfortable…But…the food was fantastic.
That is very kind, thank you very much
When you’re in stoke Latif’s Indian is a must! He has an amazing UA-cam channel too
Yea I cook his yt recipes they are banging
Ooh I got work there next week thanks
His YT is great m8 👍
Just a standard BIR Indian restaurant, nothing out of the ordinary at all?
Stoke is a dump .
Gotta love the heat sinks used to serve the meal. That lot would lose heat faster than a mouse in the Arctic.
Nisha Katona won't be happy with that, but an unbiased appraisal.
Hope she's watched this.
All of my Indian friends cringe when she attempts to cook, no skills whatsoever. Instead watch Dipna from Brilliant restaurant. She is on James Martin's kitchen often. Real cooking.
Kerry will be p++++d off as well ,she doesn't like her Local Bindi Barjis criticised.
Thank you
Latif from Latifs Inspired in an excellent teacher for BIR curry
Probably doesn’t care
I'm in the restaurant business in Malta and am totally addicted to your channel which I only recently discovered. Your reviews are fun and I love your sense of humour and optimism - your expressions and mannerisms actually remind me of the Alan Partridge character (though way better looking 😉😉) for some reason.
I love your genuine enthusiasm to try out new dishes and venues and give us your honest, un-biased opinion. One thing I really appreciate is that you often say "well maybe it was a bad day at the office". Although this isn't always the case, sometimes the very best restaurants can have a crisis in the kitchen like equipment failure or a staff injury which affects quality and service. So it's so nice of you to give the benefit of the doubt when things aren't up to the expected standards.
Having said that, bland Indian cuisine is definitely a sin.
Thank you so much lol, Malta is a stunning country
Hi Gary, I think at 5:42 this one was a lost cause, your face said it all. All the best and onto the next.
Spot on David. Take care onwards and upwards!
The rotis looked like an amazon box. The fact the food had no aroma is a red flag straight away as a large percentage of taste is actually smell, over 70% according to studies. (Thats why food tastes bland when you have a cold). Its always nice to see you try something a little bit different but in this case it just wasn't worthit. 4 was a bit generous tbh. We live and learn Gary. Good video as usual and the presenting/camera work just getts better and better. Can't wait for your next review.
Thank you very much for all the information and your wonderful comment
The owner of Mowgli (Nisha Katona) is a regular cook on This Morning. When she made her Butter Chicken on the show, I cooked it and it was fantastic ! She would be embarrassed if she saw this.
Did she cook it or you?
@@version736ha2 I cooked it, following her recipe
@@version736ha2😂😂😂
Maybe if she sees this review she will investigate why things have got so bad but only if she cares about her brand. Gary is well trusted and supported in his reviews and only gives poor reviews when totally warranted.
I'm very surprised at Gary's review. Nisha has built up Mowgli from scratch from a small site in Liverpool and takes immense and personal pride in what it produces. It's also one of the more ethical companies to work for. She'd be disappointed with this review.
Nice review Gary 👌 mowgli was walking around with a nappy, So i personally wont be going there as you might just need a nappy after eating. I wouldnt even rate it on a points system. I have a recommendation for you
Blue Water, Whitchurch, Shropshire. Its not street food but value is on point 👌 💯 ill dm you the details
Thank you very, very much for your recommendation
@GaryEats OK so BLUE WATER Indian restaurant has a 5 course banquet on offer all for £11.95. However It's just increased to £12.95 which I think is excellent value. 👌 so you have a choice of starters followed by a main dish
Then a choice of Rice, chips or nan bread also you get poppadoms and the chutneys myself and my wife order 1 rice and the nan bread and pay extra for the chips 🍟 then you have a choice of ice cream 🍦 or a sweet or coffee ☕️ food quality is of excellent quality 😀 now the 5 course banquet is only on 3 days of a week Sunday being one of them. You need to book as its packed by 17.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs. Try and I hope you enjoy
An unfortunate case of Style over Substance.
The most exciting thing about Indian cuisine is the incredible aromas and intense flavours. You're a fair reviewer and your disappointment was obvious.
Every time I hear the word tiffin I always think of Carry On Up the Khyber. 😃
"unlike you British, we are not tiffin-mad" 😂😂😂 classic line
Spot on as always Hugh
Khyber is rhyming slang for Khyber Pass (arse) for anyone who doesn't know cockney.
That Lamb looks like dog food.
You're being too kind lol
My dog has just licked clean the pan that I prepared beef madras in. And, "No!", it doesn't give her the 'Rangoon runs' ;-)
And served in dog dishes!!!! 🤯
Mowgli is truly awful...
It's not the best
@@sprint420 Thanks Gary, same back to you 👍👍👍
My wife and I have been going to Mowgli Bold Street in Liverpool since it opened. We even had our first date there and since visited Leeds, Manchester, Chester and the food is exceptional the restaurants are always full which speaks for itself. Interestingly about 3 mths ago (same time as this review) we went to the Water Street restaurant and it was awful, so bad that we couldn’t face another Mowgli until recently. We were devastated at the time and i do wonder if this was just a quality blip… I’m happy to inform our recent visit has restored our love of Mowgli.
I think it’s cooked off site and simply reheated and garnished in the kitchen
@GaryEats on a separate note my wife and I went to the Tharavadu in Leeds on your recommendation and I even tried your beloved lamb chop. Wow what an amazing restaurant... delicious food and amazing staff. I did a fb review whilst still in the restaurant, they must have spotted the review and also noticed it was my wife's birthday and surprised us with a cake. Amazing place... thanks for the recommendation and I great birthday present
Just discovered you, Gary. Loving the videos!
Thank you very much Jennifer!
Welcome to the Channel Jennifer. Having watched his channel from the beginning, I can assure you, Gary and his son , the cameraman, provide all us subs with amazing videos. They work so well together. Take care. S
I LOVE curries and make it myself two to three times a week. You don't have to cook a curry for hours to get flavour, that is a bit of a fallacy. In fact, I can make a pretty decent one from scratch in under 15 minutes, believe it or not. My trick is to spice the meat (NOT with curry spices) VERY liberally upfront, fry it on high heat, add a stock and reduce 2/3rds, THEN add curry spices, tomato and vegetables and whatever else and cook until "spoon thick". It is really that simple. It baffles me how you can do a flavourless curry.
That's my mistake....1st time thankyou for tip😊🎉🎉🎉the nxt curry will be well ...not guessing 😂😂😂I
Wow, I need to try one lol!!
Gary If it is tasteless, just send it back, don't waste your money . I bet the rice would have more flavour if you ordered it.
Risky to send it back Alan
Excellent advice. 😊
@@GaryEats I too think you should have sent it back. 😢
@@GaryEats I'm always dubious about sending things back in case of any unwanted added "ingredients"
@@strumbolli sorry , I'll rephrase what I'm trying to say. In Gary's case, everything was not , well for want of a better word, Indian! Indian , Bengali , Punjabi , class all of them from the Indian subcontinent are different but not bland or mediocre. Just call the manager and tell him so ! Don't ask for a replacement, apart from one dish , everything else was nonsense. . The only time when they might add "extras", is if you ever went back ! 🧐😟😱🤐🤢🤮
Another excellent review Gary, certainly will swerve going there, thanks for being honest 😊😊
It’s simply bland food
Those rotis looked absolute dreadful
They are a bought in brand called "Elephant". That firm is owned by the same people that own "Primark" so probably made in sweatshops in Kolkata....or Leicester 🤔🤐
they looked thick and dry. Horrible
They were terrible, no excuses for that
Why are the rotis that colour?
@@Jason-sx6su Made in bulk not in the restaurant. Mass produced by "Elephant" brand
Gary I did notice that you haven't visited an Italian place lately. If I could suggest one restaurant it would be PaStation, London. Idk whether you'll take my suggestion seriously but I happened to try the half lobster pasta and some other pasta dishes and I must admit I was transferred into another realm. Please do consider this gem of a place. Super affordable for central London.
I have been to an Italian restaurant recently, in fact too, I will take a look at your recommendation thanks very much
Gary and cameraman, 132k subs ..... huge congratulations 🥳
Thank you very much, Rosie 🌹❤️
Gary. You truly are the highlight of my day❣️ Whatever you're reviewing, my rating for you and CM is ALWAYS a 10. As always, superlative ❣️🇿🇦❤️
You are always too kind thank you so very much Melany 🌹❤️🌹❤️
Hi Gary, a lovely looking interior to this restaurant, but the moment that food hit the table, I thought it looked like what I'd find in the run-down food court at my local shopping centre. Given how busy this place is, I'm surprised the food was so bland & sub-standard. Saved a little bit by the butter chicken though. Subscribers who recommended this to you Gary, have given you the old bum steer! 😅 You might have just caught this restaurant on a bad day too. Score seemed right. You & the cameraman take care & see you next time. 💙
So disappointing Erin. Had high hopes for this after all of the recommendations but alas not to be. Thank you very much for watching!
This chain is getting too big. The CEO is the Great British Menu TV judge and an ex Barrister. Says it all Gary imho.
Another celeb owned restaurant. Never a good portent 😂
Aye another 'celeb' relying on their name to sell shite food.. sick of these morons 😢
@@OlafProt Ya I actively avoid them.
Yes agreed Rob. Not good enough sadly
The food looked as bad as I'd expect from what appears to be a very "hip" place to go.
People think its good because they pay over the odds and theres that decor.
All very mediocre sadly
at minute 5:30 I start laughing and it gets better and better, thanks for the tears in my eyes at the end. I suffer with you every time and enjoy it heartily. When the food is good, I enjoy it with you in a joyful way too, of course. Your way of expressing yourself is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your time with us.
I’m really pleased you enjoy the videos, Jim, unfortunately on this occasion the food wasn’t the best
It's nigh on impossible for trained professional Indian chefs to produce bland Indian cuisine. So either the head chef and kitchen brigade are rank amateurs, or standards are so low they just don't care. Or both. The owners also appear not to give a damn and are clearly out of touch with their business and the damage this is causing to reputations.
I think everything is put off site in batches and they just reheat and garnish in the kitchen
Bet the kitchen has binders with laminated recipe cards that have step by step picture instructions and they cook vats of the stuff at a go.
The price was as shocking as the quality of the food, 6 quid for Dahl! Someone gave you a bum steer there.
I think the food is all sent in and then just reheated, whoever is in the kitchen just adds garnish
I have a lot of issues going on on my life and when I see that Gary has a new video out, it's a massive piece of escapism for me. Thanks Gary and sorry that the food wasn't up to par today. Gotta take the rough with the smooth though eh?
I'm really appreciative of that and thank you very much
Great review, Gary. Never used that terminology "Bach cooking" but spot on. I understand that profit margins for restaurants are tight, but this type of meal out, is becoming for me more common. Has you said it's not bad enough to send back. But when you have paid and left, I think what was that all about !!, that's this week's calorie count gone, and for two, with alcohol over a hundred of your hard earned pounds gone. Put the food before the profit margin, and the rest will follow.
I think it’s cooked elsewhere and just heated, then garnish added in the restaurant Andrew
A bland curry is one of the worst things you can have in an Indian restaurant!
The worst thing I had was an Indian takeaway meal with a finger plaster in it! I thought, "Blimey, this chicken's a bit rubbery."
Even worse when you have one in an English restaurant 😂.
👍
Completely agree with you!!
By around 9:30 I was worried you had Covid😂 I'm glad you stated you are well.
I am all good, no problems at all thank you very much
The best genuine Indian street food is served at Bhel puri pani puri in Leicester LE12LB featured on Rick Stein series on tv and is absolutely ace. Ps. Take cash as is preferred. Pps I’m English and have no affiliation ( only great respect) for the food here
There's so many good places on Belgrave Rd in Leicester. Bobby's (where RS also went) is brilliant.
@@isobelmatheson8036 I agree but street food sold on an industrial estate type area sorta gives a more genuine feel of street food for me
Thank you for letting me know!!
I've never made a curry but from other cooking I know that you shouldn't add all ingredients at the start or they lose flavour when you slow cook them. You add stuff like bell peppers near the end to keep the taste & texture intact.
I think they overcooked everything which made it lose all its flavour - if the ingredients are low quality it only compounds the blandness.
I think everything is cooked in batches offsite and simply sent to the restaurants where it’s reheated and garnished
Hi iv been a chef for 30 years and iv been to this place a few times by mine in Liverpool, same problem always looks great but very bland me thinks sous-vide batch cooking 😮
Yep spot on Martin, very underwhelming food
Sous-microwave?
I'm embarrassed for Oxfordshire. Went there ages ago and was also unimpressed. Unfortunately Oxford city centre is far too difficult to drive to and park, so even living local-ish we don't visit very often.
Thankfully there are some amazing curry houses and restaurants outside of the city centre.
Highly recommend The Standard, in Jericho.
Sorry to hear that and spot on!!
I'm sure the city planners had your inconvenience with parking your car that did not exist all those years ago.
Their park and ride system however is pretty decent.
you should stick to drive-throughs mate, they're more your thing.
Its not a city built around cars. Partly why I like it so much.
That should be all you can eat for a Fiver restaurant, plus you can get a free takeaway box for the dog 😅
Lol Chris, very funny
Why should the dog suffer? 😂
You’re right Gary no professional chef would let tasteless food leave their kitchen seems to be too much of this going on in the UK, I was in Salou the other day and found the most beautiful Indian food I’ve ever tasted. Keep up the good work.👍
Thank you very much
Everything at the top of the Westgate Centre is terrible, overpriced, chain food restaurants.
The Cowley Road can offer you cuisine from around the world, from almost always independent business.
Otherwise Gino's on Gloucester Green in the City Centre is a family run Italian that is exceptional and absolute must if you ever return!
Just have to be a bit careful on Cowley Road, it has some of the best but also some of the worst restaurants and bars Oxford has to offer!
@@JoeyRhubarbis The Moonlight still going?
@@JoeyRhubarb You're telling me!!! Popped in to Karma on Cowley Road a couple of years ago and it has to go down as the worst Indian we've ever had, so bad in fact, it put my mum off Indian food for good!
@@robkeeleycomposer I think that closed down a while ago?
@@sanmiguel4019 I've not tried Karma yet but good to know! Try Yeti a bit further along. Technically Nepalese not Indian but always been brilliant! Interesting and varied menu.
Im not a huge fan of mowgli, haven't had amazing food there, there was actually an upmarket Indian restaurant on the same rooftop where mowgli is that shut down a few years ago, that was absolute amazing! a real shame it closed!
Cinnamon kitchen it was called.
Completely agree with you, just very underwhelming
0:24 Famous last words
Very very annoying lol
Great to see you again Gary I've missed you (I've been on hols) not a fan of Indian food it's always bland but love the reveiw as always thank you ❤
I hope you had a wonderful holiday, Sue
Indian food is always bland?? 🤔
@PotatoPirate123 only in my experience its always the same sauce for every different curry.like I say only in my experience. You maybe had better experience than me
@@suebell4624 I wouldn't call Indian food bland though, certainly in principle. Plenty more bland British food on offer in restaurants here 😂
I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford in 85/86. I went to Oxford many times. One of the first places I ate at was Bogart's Pizza, I remember they put unpitted olives on top of the pizza and I thought how strange. lol
Oxford is a stunning city
Cant believe they have good ratings. The one in Corn Street, Bristol was absolutely pants. 100% reheated. shocking food. Very bland indeed. Zero flavour.
I agree with you. I think the food is very bland.
I know for a fact that their Rotis are bought in and are a brand called "Elephant", which is a company owned by the same people as "Primark". So probably slave labour in Kolkata 🤨🤭🤐
Oh dear...
Elephant Atta is a very long established brand of chapatti (roti) flour in the UK. There is no way they use slave labour from Indian garment factories to produce their flour. I'm pretty sure all the flour will be sourced from the UK and Europe. It doesn't make any sense otherwise.
I’d value your review more than anyone else’s as it’s always honest and with integrity. Quick question - as a newbie to Indian food (and not a fan of a lot of spice) what dishes would you suggest trying?
I would stick it to the mild dishes like butter chicken, chicken tikka masala or chicken korma Aaron
@@GaryEats thanks Gary! Will let you know how it goes 🤞
Bland curry from a place that’s supposed to be authentic street food. Very disappointing from this restaurant, and not street food prices.
Completely agree with you, very underwhelming
I was going to say it looks like they re-heated or left the food out for too long and that's why it doesn't smell of anything, but your comments at the end said as much. Good review nevertheless :)
Completely agree with you, just very underwhelming and thank you
Everything is now touted as "street food". Street food is regular food served from carts on the street. It's not special food. It's not different and certainly not supppsed to be served at inflated prices.
Street food can ONLY be purchased on the street.
Did I also hear £5.50 for Cobra ????
Food literally served in camping gear.
Naan Bread looks awful
That is a very good point and one I fully agree with
Just a comment....there are many many many many vloggers with large amount of subscribers (even channels with multiple millions of subscribers)....but their views seldomly reflects their amount of followers....your channel on the other hand....does the job! So, props for that! 👍🏻
That is a very kind comment to make thank you very much, Glenn
I have never heard of a curry being described as bland. The aromas are the first thing you notice with curries. Very odd.
Wetherspoons curry's are bland
I've never had one from there. I do like to make my own,though,and they are pretty good and spicy.
Incredibly odd, it had no smell. The CM noticed it straight away
My first thought was whether you had a cold,but obviously not. How very strange. Also,that roti looked quite bizarre as well. My mum used to make rotis, and they never looked like that.Hopefully, the next place will be better.
Maybe they put all the budget into providing spoons,but no actual seasoning for the food. Just a theory.
Mowgli...owned by Nisha Katona from The Great British Menu. Problem with a chain, hard to find staff who care, unlike a family business. But thanks...I know to avoid! Great work!
Agreed
Agree with you Martin
Not sure street food can be legitimately served in a restaurant, for me it has to be cooked and served in the street. Fair point or not?
I agree . Should be served from a stall . Eat on the move .
Agreed
The term "street food" is nonsense started by tourists the 90s. When I was living in Asia in the 80s we just called it "food"
@@michaelb2388 Firstly, terms change and evolve. Secondly, we don't live in Asia.
Can I ask, when you get situations like this where you’re unsatisfied with the food, do you complain off camera? I understand why you would choose not to show it, but if I’m in a restaurant and the food is lousy I let them know about it. As far as I’m concerned, if I’m paying someone to cook me food it should be significantly better than I could do myself at home.
I will do in future