Sean M.’s review of Tamarai

Went to Tamarai last night and had one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had the misfortune to suffer. We were part of a large party and had been told in advance that we would therefore have to have the set menu. No problems, fair enough for a large group.

Due to some late arrivals we were not ready for our meals until 8:30 or so when some of us were given some of the starters, dim sum and duck spring roll. Not bad tasting although the portions were quite small. About half an hour later more starters were brought to our table, it turned out these were actually meant for the other table that was part of our group sitting right behind us who had not been served during that time. We had already eaten about half of these but the waiting staff didn't bother to top them up or bring new ones and gave them straight to the other table who had to take what were now half portions.

Roughly an hour after this (ie an hour and a half after being served our starters) the mains were finally brought out. Whilst I am told the seabass was actually quite nice the thai green curry was overly hot and there was not nearly enough rice to share properly between people.

Another hour or so after the mains had been cleared away we were brought the dessert, some sort of white chocolate ice cream which was tasty enough but quite frankly was at most enough for three quarters of a mouthful.

The fact that it took approximately three hours to be "served" a three course meal where everyone at the table was having one of three choices at most off a set menu was absolutely appalling. In particular for the mains where the three choices were the seabass, a thai green chicken curry or a thai green vegetable curry, the last two of which were presumably cooked up en masse. The starters and the dessert would also have been cooked up en masse so there was no excuse whatsoever for the length of time it took to get our meals.

This was while enduring one of the more overpriced drinks menus I have ever seen. £4.50 for a bottle of kirin (the only type of beer they had), overpriced cocktails and ridiculously expensive wine and champagne.

To add insult to injury the bill at the end included a 12.5% service charge which if we were not part of a large group I would have refused to pay, however as it was a friend's birthday I did not want to make a scene.

It may be possible that this restaurant is ok for couples or small groups but I doubt it having seen the absolutely appalling service we received. The only recommendation I can give about this restaurant is to avoid it like the plague.

I intend to post this review on as many websites as possible so that others do not have to suffer the experience we did.