Shimla Pinks - Johnstone

We had a Groupon voucher deal. Now I thought the whole point of a Groupon deal was that it was to encourage you to come back to the place in future and pay full... read more We had a Groupon voucher deal. Now I thought the whole point of a Groupon deal was that it was to encourage you to come back to the place in future and pay full price. That won't be happening. We booked in advance, and I checked the voucher details before I went in. It includes two courses for 2, with rice and a naan to share. It said you can choose a starter priced from 5.95 and a main from 9.95. it gave suggestions of mushroom poori, and chicken Maharani. I love poori, and I knew before I went in, that's what I would order. When we entered, the man was serving a take away customer, asked if we were in for a takeaway or a sit in. He took us to our table and asked about drinks, I said to him then about the voucher. He brought us a special menu for this. There was no poori on the menu, so I asked for the main menu also, but it was mainly to see the description of the main courses, because I wasn't sure the flavours or spicyness of each of the dishes. I asked the waiter if I would be able to have a mushroom poori as this was £5.95 (according to the description of the voucher this would be included) but he said if I wanted this I would pay full price for it. I tried to say to him what the voucher said, but he said this is why we have a separate menu. I felt like saying to him to review what it said on the Groupon website. I ordered chicken pakora. This was 4 pieces or chicken. My partner ordered chicken tikka masala and I ordered chicken pasanda. When they came, they were identical in colour and flavour, they tasted exactly the same. The portions appeared to be much smaller than any Indian restaurant I've eaten in before. We both finished it, it wasn't filling, the pakora was nice enough but the main was fairly tasteless. The other waiter who took our plates was friendly. I wonder how different my experience would be if I hadn't purchased a Groupon deal. Even if the guy had not refused me the starter that was advertised on the voucher, maybe I wouldn't be writing this review just now.

Was okay. Cant fault the service as staff helpful and friendly. Food was average on the evening and was not sure about bright red colour of my lamb curry. Colou... read more Was okay. Cant fault the service as staff helpful and friendly. Food was average on the evening and was not sure about bright red colour of my lamb curry. Colouring? Was quite quiet on the evening i visited so not much in the way of atmosphere. Maybe i just chose the wrong dish?. Full marks to the staff though.

Bang average. It was all barely acceptable Indian food, like not much effort had been put in to it. Poppadoms for example were burned beyond all edibility. How... read more Bang average. It was all barely acceptable Indian food, like not much effort had been put in to it. Poppadoms for example were burned beyond all edibility. How can an Indian not get poppadoms right? Couldn 't recommend. Lazy food, taking customers for granted.

Solid four stars for Shimla! Been in Johnstone for years and although it feels a bit cavernous and empty for dining in, they do great takeaways. Huge range of c... read more Solid four stars for Shimla! Been in Johnstone for years and although it feels a bit cavernous and empty for dining in, they do great takeaways. Huge range of curries, etc and all really well made with a decent meat content. I don't find them greasy but I do tend to go for curries that may have a veg/meat mix to them. Chicken Pakora is gluten free yay! but just note, you get a smaller portion of that compared to the vegetable pakora. Although I don't live locally anymore, anytime we are having a celebratory curry in the family, then this is our go to place.

Wonderful for both sit-in or takeaway. A must visit. Chicken puri. Yum read more Wonderful for both sit-in or takeaway. A must visit. Chicken puri. Yum