I was invited for dinner at Madras Banyan Tree, out in Hampton East. A bit of a drive, but worth it. The website is great, but please give us an option to skip the intro. It’s really annoying to have to wait until it finishes.
Madras Banyan Tree
924 Nepean Highway
Hampton East, VIC 3188
Ph: (03) 9555 7170
The service
I arrived there a bit earlier, and was promptly seated and offered drinks to start with. However, when my friends arrived they forgot to bring out more menus so we ended up sharing them. They accommodated for the baby too, but giving us seating next to the heater. I like the fact that when the food was served, they announced its name. Yes, it’s common sense but you would be surprised how many restaurant staff do not do this. The service was as you would expect for a restaurant of this quality.
The ambience and location
Don’t judge a book by its cover. The restaurant’s outside wasn’t flashy, but inside was quite nicely decorated. Not overdone. The polished floors, and tables and chairs were nice. The service desk was located in a such a way that attention could be attained easily. You find in some restaurants where you are in corner where no one else can see you, so getting the waiter’s attention is almost impossible. The restaurant was spacious, unlike some of the others I have been to. The physical location could have been better. It’s located on the side road of an overpass, but its too late to change this aspect of the restaurant.
The food
Everyone enjoyed their meal that night. It was well presented, and adequately prepared to individuals taste. Like the red hot chilli fritters - extra extra extra spicy!! Sure my tongue was burning, but it was worth it!!The onion rava masala dosa was the “best I have ever tasted” according to one of my friends. The prices were a bit steep, particularly for the entree platter which was $14.90 for 5 pieces. The sambar vada was immersed in sambar until the vada was softish (the way it should be). It just melts in your mouth.
The Rating - 8.5/10 (excellent food, will try again)
So if everything was excellent, then why only an 8.5 rating. Unfortunately for them, when I arrived to the restaurant I saw the manager outside smoking, just a few feet away from the front door. Not a good look guys. It was a good thing he wasn’t the chef, otherwise I may have turned back around.
