Restaurant
Name: | Mumbai Square | |
Area: | Aldgate | |
Address: | 7 Middlesex Street | |
London E1 7AA | ||
Phone: | 020 7247 6461 | |
Website: | www.mumbaisquare.co.uk |
Visits to this restaurant ...
1. 30 Aug 2012 | | | 2. 27 Aug 2015 | | | 3. 31 Mar 2016 | | | 4. 26 Jan 2017 | | | 5. 25 Nov 2021 |
6. 30 Nov 2023 |
Visit Report
Visit Number: | 191 (visit 3 of 6 for this restaurant) | |
Date of visit: | 31 Mar 2016 | |
Cost per head: | £21.00 (2 beers) |
Serv | Amb | Beer | Start | Nan | Rice | Main | Veg | VFM | Score | Comments | |
Overall | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.9 | 7.3 | 8.8 | 6.93 | |
Jeff | 3 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6.5 | See Jeff's comments | |
Jon | 2 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6.3 | See Jon's comments |
Graeme | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6.3 | See Graeme's comments | |
Richard | 6 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 7.7 | See Richard's comments |
Dominic | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7.1 | See Dominic's comments |
Dave | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 6.8 | See Dave's comments |
Brian | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7.9 | See Brian's comments |
Mark | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 6.9 | See Mark's comments | ||
All Comments
Jeff - The Mumbai is a bit of an enigma. Quite well located, clean and big, but always virtually empty and with a slightly run-down feel now. Service was pretty poor, e.g despite virtually no other customers, a 10 / 15 minute wait for any drinks order and lack of glasses to drink it from. Odd because I marked service really high last time. The food was above average quality, and in quite generous portions, although my duck was a little dry but still tasty. I do like the large tables that the room is arranged in which meant that all 8 of us could converse together or separately. A healthy top table discount meant a very reasonable bill.
Jon - As usual, the Mumbai Square was virtually empty which creates a conflict for the Ambience mark – under normal measures, it was very poor but the size of the restaurant and the number of punters means that the tables are unusually large which gave us plenty of elbow room. The food was generally good, bar a very disappointing mixed kebab starter with poor quality meat, but the service was utterly dreadful. We had to ask to get a waiter to take any sort of order and when the mains turned up, my main course was the first thing out, my rice some 10 minutes after everything else had been delivered. With a 50% discount, it was very reasonable – just a shame about the service.
Graeme - This is a big, open, plainly-decorated restaurant that seems to struggle for custom in the evenings. Mind you, there were a few other tables occupied this time but you still couldn't describe it as busy. Even so, the service was very slow and apparently disorganised when we first got there - it took ages for poppadoms or drinks to be offered and for our orders to be taken - but it improved after that and included a free round of liqueurs that Dom managed to prise out of them. Taking advantage of the 50%-off-the-food offer procured by El Pres, I went for the Garlic Fried King Prawns starter which was OK but a bit disappointing (only two prawns and not that special). For main, I had Garlic Chilli Chicken (there's a surprise!) - it was quite nice but not as good as I have had at other places recently. The vegetable dishes were good and came in large portions. All-in-all, it was a competent meal at a very cheap price (after a good discount). I've never before been aware that our language has been particularly 'ripe' on our cultural evenings out, but the more sensitive souls among us (particularly Jeff & I) tried to quieten things down on a number of occasions so as not to offend the family (with two children) at a nearby table.
Richard - I came along with a slightly negative memory of the Mumbai Square, due I think to a rather dull atmosphere. However the total experience was rather good. A re-order from last time proved successful: sizeable and tasty Mixed Starter and Chicken Bhuna along with good popadums, rice, nan and sides. The ambience, although not buzzing, was fine with pleasant service. The value price was superb: was it thanks to 50% off food from Tastecard or the absence of King Prawn Gatta? Dom showed his "never say die" sales patter in action with a free round of liquers eventually prised out the management ("Do you know who we are?").
Dominic - This was our third visit to this eatery and for the first time most of the tables were occupied which improved the ambience no end. However, it did mean that language had to be tempered while some young diners were in earshot!! The service was not too bad overall aided and abetted by a generous free round of drinks ... after a little coaxing! My starter was the Garlic Fried King Prawns which was a tasty dish but only contained two small prawns. The main, however, of King Prawn Garlic Chilli, was very bountiful and tasty. Indeed, all the veg dishes were quite generous. The wine was also well priced for a decent drop. Based on El Presidente's discount card the VFM was exceedingly good for what we had and the portions delivered. Another enjoyable evening with an appropriate homage to dear Ronnie Corbett.
Dave - Good food, however venue lacks atmosphere and poor choice of beers available. Very good VFM with top table discount. Highlight of evening was excellent Curryoke rendition of Joe Dolce's "Shaddup a ya face".
Brian - I like the food here, but it's let down by the poor ambience (hardly anyone else there in a huge space) and the fact that the service is not as good as you'd expect, given the lack of customers. Duck starter was generally good, although one of the bits of meat was a bit tough. The fish main was excellent – on the bone which is usually not great, but there were no small bones, so the meat was easily got at. Rice portions appeared bigger than some, meaning sharing a rice is very much a viable option. Veggies all good. £20ph gives a very good VFM.
Mark - With reduced attendees this month it was good to see that 3 people still made the effort to travel up for the evening. Meeting in The Bell is always good and less crowded than last time. Our usual oblong table was ready for us and allowed the banter to flow. Took a while to order and while Jon had issues the rest of the service seemed good to me even if a little persuasion was needed from Dom at the end. Duck starter instead of my usual mushroom was good although it needed the pop's sauces to save it being dry. Chicken Ceylon main was spicier than I expected as even with the coconut taste it had a real fiery kick. Rest of the meal was fine but nothing outstanding. With our TasteCard discount it came to £21 which considering last month's overcharge was great. Top 6? Not sure but good at the price compared to many, so would happily return.