I have been eating here for years. I love bringing friends from out of town as they really enjoy the experience of getting a face full of spices as the hot grill plates go by, as well as being in a famous (but not in guidebooks) restaurant. Beware it's not a place to bring vegetarians!

I just rang them up today and I was told they no longer do bookings. It's first come, first served now. Which I hope will only improve on the wait. I don't really mind waiting for an hour for a table as it's all part of the experience for me. But if you go at lunchtime the wait is a lot shorter and the service is a lot more friendly. In the evenings they obviously have a huge amount of people to feed and there is a much more chaotic atmosphere. I always have really good service when I go there so I cannot comment on the others who have had a hard time. I use the waiting time in the queue to know exactly what I want when I sit down so there is no waiting to order. i have never been rushed off a table even when the place is packed and the queue is snaking around the restaurant like a middle class conga line. The service is fast and the food is excellent. It's a great place to go with friends as there is a real communal atmosphere. More so than in other curry houses.

The restaurant has expanded to include a basmment dining room as well. If you have a choice I would avoid this as the decor is like an essex nightclub in the 90's. Crazy lighting, loud techno music, which are not at all soothing. When I went recently, we had been waiting for an hour and 20 mins (typical on a Friday night) so we weren't going to quibble with our table.

My best advice is go with at least 3 people so one of you can always hold the place in the queue. Bring drinks to keep you going before and during dinner. Have a chilled out attitude and save some space for the kulfi ice cream or mango lassi as they are amazing but after all the lamb chops it might not be possible.