Discover Hertford Online Forum

Topic

Topic ID 3709

31/07/2008 by roman

Bollywoods

The forum has been very quiet regarding Bollywoods for some time. Me and Mrs R haven't been here for a couple of years. In the space of 6 weeks or so we were invited to join some friends twice, and I am pleased to report that on both occasions the food was delicious (I had the tandorri mixed grill-shared!!). The service was fine and the atmosphere was quite lively given the 80's classics soundtrack that was on. Prices wise - £20-£25 a head inc a couple of bottles of wine, beer and tips. I don't think is too bad. I know it's had bad publicity in the past, had I not been invited along I wouldn't have ventured back.


Replies

Reply ID 54017

31/07/2008 by hertford born and bred

Sorry buddy have`nt been in there since i worked in there kitchens.[xx(]


Reply ID 54033

01/08/2008 by SallyB

I always thought the food and service was reasonable in there. I just found that I couldn't easily hold a conversation as the music was very loud for a restaurant, but then I am an old fuddy duddy.


Reply ID 54061

01/08/2008 by 2929paul

quote:
Originally posted by SallyB
I always thought the food and service was reasonable in there. I just found that I couldn't easily hold a conversation as the music was very loud for a restaurant, but then I am an old fuddy duddy.
My thoughts exactly. About the restaurant food, service and noise levels, not about Sally being an old fuddy duddy.[;)]


Reply ID 54074

01/08/2008 by aubend

quote:
Originally posted by hertford born and bred
Sorry buddy have`nt been in there since i worked in there kitchens.[xx(]
Care to expand on this?


Reply ID 54086

01/08/2008 by hertford born and bred

quote:
Originally posted by aubend
quote:
Originally posted by hertford born and bred
Sorry buddy have`nt been in there since i worked in there kitchens.[xx(]
Care to expand on this?
Face to face, yes..On here NO as it will be open to libel. (I dont want to upset steve again)[;)]


Reply ID 54106

02/08/2008 by Steve

It's no secret that the kitchen got zero stars out of five a few years back when inspected by the council.


Reply ID 54110

02/08/2008 by aubend

quote:
Originally posted by Steve
It's no secret that the kitchen got zero stars out of five a few years back when inspected by the council.
That is disgraceful. Restaurants should be made to put these details I their windows so diners know what they are letting themselves in for. I have only been to bollywoods once and was made to feel rushed and unwelcome. I certainly won't be going back now in light of the council kitchen report. I feel sick now.


Reply ID 54111

02/08/2008 by Leo Densian

quote:
Originally posted by aubend That is disgraceful. Restaurants should be made to put these details I their windows so diners know what they are letting themselves in for. I have only been to bollywoods once and was made to feel rushed and unwelcome. I certainly won't be going back now in light of the council kitchen report. I feel sick now.
My daughter was sick after the one and only time we went there.


Reply ID 54115

02/08/2008 by hertford born and bred

quote:
Originally posted by aubend Restaurants should be made to put these details In their windows so diners know what they are letting themselves in for.
As consumers i think we would all agree on that,Of course the restaurants would differ.


Reply ID 54119

02/08/2008 by Steve

And of course one has to wonder if their attitude to standards in the kitchens is the same as their attitude to standards at The Sportsman


Reply ID 54125

02/08/2008 by jjr

This is such a shame as when Bollywoods first opened it was excellent. Always enjoyed going in there in a big group, the food was great, the service good and atmosphere lively. It seems the quality of food is'nt anywhere as good as it used to be.


Reply ID 54131

02/08/2008 by Ewoowar

quote:
Originally posted by jjr
This is such a shame as when Bollywoods first opened it was excellent. Always enjoyed going in there in a big group, the food was great, the service good and atmosphere lively. It seems the quality of food is'nt anywhere as good as it used to be.
My experience re. the service was the total opposite.


Reply ID 54171

04/08/2008 by Andrew

quote:
Originally posted by jjr
This is such a shame as when Bollywoods first opened it was excellent. Always enjoyed going in there in a big group, the food was great, the service good and atmosphere lively. It seems the quality of food is'nt anywhere as good as it used to be.
The food was pretty poor when it first opened, so if it isn't as good now, I'm glad I have not visited it for several years.


Reply ID 54213

04/08/2008 by roman

It seems that opinions have not changed much in the last couple of years since the bad kitchen reports. I can only go on my recent experiences which were positive. It would be interesting to hear some recent reviews . Not sure how long ago Hertford B&B worked in kitchens, but if recent then I would be concerned and would think again about returning.


Reply ID 54527

17/08/2008 by Muddy

Went to Bollywoods for a meal with Mrs Muddy last night - our first ever visit. Didn't know what to order but the waiter made some excellent choices for us. Don't ask me what they were, but it was all lovely & the service was excellent. My only gripe would be the cost - £45 for two with one drink each - for what we had I was expecting it to be about a tenner less. Still it was pretty full by the time we left so everyone else must be happy with the prices.


Reply ID 58505

23/12/2008 by jez_p

Went in with a group of 10 - the food was good and plenty of it. Although the atmosphere was more like a night club than a restaurant. Loud Music, and not particularly intimate. But can't fault the service. Bill came to just over £200


Reply ID 58532

24/12/2008 by Donostia

quote:
Originally posted by jez_p
Loud Music, and not particularly intimate.
It always makes me chuckle when i read on here people commenting on the loud music and sometimes even complaining . Bollywoods is about "rock n roll" dining , the whole idea is you go for the loud music , they wont be interested in your requests to turn it down , if you want a quiet curry find another restaurant .


Reply ID 59092

08/01/2009 by manaton

Well we went there about 6 weeks ago and asked the music to be turned down so I am glad that other people are having a similar experience. The food left me feeling really really bloated and i don't think that i pigged out that much.......


Reply ID 59094

09/01/2009 by Steve

What's rock'n'roll dining anyway? I've never seen anything to suggest that this is what Bollywoods is about.


Reply ID 59096

09/01/2009 by Donostia

Havent you ? Im surprised , Victoria Beckham never went to Bollywoods for the quality of the food , she went because of the different dining experience it is famous for .


Reply ID 59104

09/01/2009 by Bengeobabe

quote:
Originally posted by Donostia
Havent you ? Im surprised , Victoria Beckham never went to Bollywoods for the quality of the food , she went because of the different dining experience it is famous for .
famous???


Reply ID 59105

09/01/2009 by Frenchie

quote:
Originally posted by Donostia
Havent you ? Im surprised , Victoria Beckham never went to Bollywoods for the quality of the food , she went because of the different dining experience it is famous for .
What Vicky Beckham went to Bollywoods not for its mediocre Indian food but more importantly for the amazing rock and roll dining experience !?!? :lol:


Reply ID 59106

09/01/2009 by Donostia

Not amazing , just different to elsewhere in East Herts . [|)][|)][|)]


Reply ID 59116

09/01/2009 by Steve

None of which answers my question: Where is Bollywoods marketed as "rock'n'roll dining"? I've never seen or heard anything to indicate this.


Reply ID 59119

09/01/2009 by Avarice

I this asking for empirical evidence that Bollywoods have ever issued marketing with “rock and roll” in there is a bit pedantic. Yes, Bollywoods have never marketed themselves as “rock and roll”. Just like say Baan Thitaya don’t market themselves as “nice food, small portions and a bit expensive”. It what both are somewhat known for though. I think anyone that has eaten at Bollywoods would testify that perhaps “rock and roll” does rather fit the ambience there (especially over the weekend). It could equally be called “noisy” (and they don’t market themselves as that either). It is what it is though – noisy / rock-and-roll / boisterous / loud / etc. You enjoyment of this solely depends on your point of view and expectation. If you didn’t know it was [insert description here] and you found it too noisy then fair enough. I would suggest not going again as more often than not it is this way. It’s sort of like when I once ate at Bentley’s in London I could have reviewed that I didn’t like they mainly offered only seafood dishes (which I’m not keen on). It not their fault they offer mostly seafood it was more I was expecting something different. Bentley’s is mostly seafood. Bollywoods is mostly loud. Personally, I like Bollywoods especially with a larger group of people. It would be a last choice for an intimate meal for 2 though. Conversely, if I did go with a large group and it was quieter than usual this could be a disappointment too. *asks for music to be turned up* [}:)]


Reply ID 59121

09/01/2009 by Steve

Fair enuff. It's just that I've never heard of "rock'n'roll dining" and never been aware that Bollywoods was anything other than the usual Indian restaurant.


Reply ID 59130

09/01/2009 by manaton

Well when I went there I did not realise that it was going to be so noisy and thought that it must just be a one off. I don't get the idea of eating somewhere with such loud music, but each to their own. Now I know I guess so I probably won't go back as long as the reviews say it is that loud. I understand having themes and all that, but loud music I think sort of puts you off your food as your senses are diverted to dealing with the noise and not to tasting the food. Its just preference I guess but it is a shame as the rest was absolutely fine.


Reply ID 59132

09/01/2009 by manaton

Actually have just remembered that when I lived in New Malden in Surrey there was a fish and chip place called Rock and Roe and the owner used to serenade you with his Elvis impressions. I did not mind that at all because it wasn't like thumping music at levels you might hear emanating from a boy racer's car outside of the cinema in Stevenage on a Saturday night. God I am only 34 but I am sounding more like my grandparents every day!!!!


Reply ID 62109

27/03/2009 by jjr

Read in the merury today about the raid on Bollywoods, wonder if this will have any impact on them as a restaurant. I see the owner was unavailable for comment which is a let down, would have been interested in wht he had to say. I see there is another Bollywoods in Harlow does anyone know if they are owned by the same person.


Reply ID 70025

03/12/2009 by Donostia

1st the illegal immigrant staff now this . Surely they wont fork out 40K ? Is this the end ? http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hertfordshiremercury/displayarticle.asp?id=468324


Reply ID 70026

03/12/2009 by Steve

quote:
Originally posted by Donostia
1st the illegal immigrant staff now this . Surely they wont fork out 40K ? Is this the end ? http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hertfordshiremercury/displayarticle.asp?id=468324
Already discussed at http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hertfordshiremercury/displayarticle.asp?id=468324 ... and you missed out serving underage drinkers


Reply ID 70029

03/12/2009 by Ewoowar

quote:
Originally posted by Steve
quote:
Originally posted by Donostia
1st the illegal immigrant staff now this . Surely they wont fork out 40K ? Is this the end ? http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hertfordshiremercury/displayarticle.asp?id=468324
Already discussed at http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/hertfordshiremercury/displayarticle.asp?id=468324 ... and you missed out serving underage drinkers
For those of you with a few minutes spare time you should read the official report into the underage drinking at The Sportsman when it was run by the Bollywoods guys. The amount of times they were warned and the eventual manner in which the final event unfolded would be funny if it wasn't so serious.


Reply ID 70032

03/12/2009 by Donostia

Ah , sorry , never saw that thread .


33 replies