Mint Leaf reviews
The appearance from the outside looks more like a warehouse. Admittedly it has ambience of sorts, but people go out to enjoy the food more than anything else. It's quite pricey, yet the quality of the food is very ordinary. The service is mediocre too. I don't think I would ever go back.
by NKG (2 reviews), 23 May 2008
by NKG (2 reviews), 23 May 2008
Went for the Valentine menu. Absolute rip-off and very bad service. I would avoid this overpriced, overhyped venue.
by degamwaro, 18 Feb 2008
by degamwaro, 18 Feb 2008
Our table was booked for 9.30pm. We arrived early by 25 minutes and we were initially pleased that our table was already ready, but we did want to have a drink at the bar. However, we were told that we couldn't and that we should sit down. From then on, for the entire duration of the meal, we felt totally rushed. Eventually, after our mains, my partner had to tell the waiters we did not want our next course yet as we had not even drunk half of our bottle of wine. We do appreciate that Valentine's is a busy night, but we had booked a late table to avoid this and there were other empty tables, so I know it wasn't the case there were people waiting for our table.
The biggest disappointment, and what angered us the most, was the food. I have never in my life been to a restaurant and left feeling hungry, but that is exactly what happened on Thursday. I do appreciate that the food was directed at being shared and being romantic but surely you could serve us more than 1 prawn and 1 scallop?! Also, I cannot believe that for dessert we had to share half a strawberry! Not even a whole one!
We have frequented many restaurants in the city and have paid a lot for these meals. We appreciate good food and believe it's worth paying a little extra, but we entirely believe we were ripped off on this occasion given the amount of food we got and the quality of it. We spent £175 on our bill that night and ended up leaving tipsy and hungry because of the lack of food.
by jiten19, 18 Feb 2008
The biggest disappointment, and what angered us the most, was the food. I have never in my life been to a restaurant and left feeling hungry, but that is exactly what happened on Thursday. I do appreciate that the food was directed at being shared and being romantic but surely you could serve us more than 1 prawn and 1 scallop?! Also, I cannot believe that for dessert we had to share half a strawberry! Not even a whole one!
We have frequented many restaurants in the city and have paid a lot for these meals. We appreciate good food and believe it's worth paying a little extra, but we entirely believe we were ripped off on this occasion given the amount of food we got and the quality of it. We spent £175 on our bill that night and ended up leaving tipsy and hungry because of the lack of food.
by jiten19, 18 Feb 2008
Good service - staff were attentive even though it was just the two of us. Really liked the ambiance. Food was good but not fantastic (perhaps that's just because I prefer Thai cuisine). Had starters, mains, sides, drinks and dessert for two for under £100. Will go back again.
by Kiwigirl (2 reviews), 06 Jan 2007
by Kiwigirl (2 reviews), 06 Jan 2007
One of the best Indian restaurants I have been to - great food and exceptional service.
by Anonymous, 22 Feb 2006
by Anonymous, 22 Feb 2006
Excellent food and service. Could not fault them on anything. We arrived late but they were very accommodating, unlike a lot of places that make you feel uncomfortable and guilty. Definitely recommended.
by Unknown, 14 Feb 2006
by Unknown, 14 Feb 2006
Fantastic food, drink, atmosphere and service for a corporate dinner for 24! I have eaten here 4 or 5 times now, and the food is always excellent (and I am fussy with my Indian food, being of Indian origin!)
by Anonymous, 14 Dec 2005
by Anonymous, 14 Dec 2005
I have been to this restaurant three times and each time the service has sucked. I don't blame the staff, I blame myself for returning - a mistake I will not make again. The food was adequate and nothing more. If you are looking for lousy service try the Wong Kei - at least there it is entertaining!
by Marco, 10 Oct 2005
by Marco, 10 Oct 2005
Come down on a Friday night into the little underground oasis and you hear the most unbelievable live saxophone and DJ duo I have ever seen. The cocktails are excessively priced so don't even think about paying the 'optional charged' service charge but the bar food was brilliant. Quite expensive but exquisite and I think worth the money - we had the meat and fish and the veggie option.
The bar staff are friendly and really really know their stuff from the array of spirits decked behind the bar.
The decor is dark and sultry but watch you heads on the low hung lights - not set up for elegant manoeuvres!
A good time to be had if it's pay day - Friday is the best night with some cracking live music to de-stress you after a long week at work!
by meglet, 05 Aug 2005
The bar staff are friendly and really really know their stuff from the array of spirits decked behind the bar.
The decor is dark and sultry but watch you heads on the low hung lights - not set up for elegant manoeuvres!
A good time to be had if it's pay day - Friday is the best night with some cracking live music to de-stress you after a long week at work!
by meglet, 05 Aug 2005
Very good service, nice decor, fantastic food. Looking forward to going on another night.
by Anonymous, 28 Jul 2005
by Anonymous, 28 Jul 2005
Went for a friend's birthday - thought the vibe and decor was amazing - very slick! However, portions were tiny and was completely overpriced. Was a good experience though, and recommended if money is no object!
by nissy84, 27 Jul 2005
by nissy84, 27 Jul 2005
Nice decor, but I didn't go out to eat the decor - food was rubbish on both occasions. I think they need to get another microwave (might help speed up the service).
by Anonymous, 18 Jun 2005
by Anonymous, 18 Jun 2005
Expensive for what it is and the portions are very small but a nice night out.
by Shobi (3 reviews), 01 Mar 2005
by Shobi (3 reviews), 01 Mar 2005
Fantastic, pre service for a 20 person corporate event, great reception, lively cocktail bar, but just the best food I have had in a long while. Clients went away very very happy!
by Anonymous, 03 Dec 2004
by Anonymous, 03 Dec 2004
Went on a Saturday and left our food order in the capable hands of the waiting staff. Loved what they brought us, especially the seafood dishes. Good cocktails, loved the atmosphere and the waiting staff displayed the right degree of attentiveness.
by Anonymous, 01 Dec 2004
by Anonymous, 01 Dec 2004
The lounge/bar area was a lovely setting for pre-dinner cocktails. The food was good, with the grilled, marinated rabbit starter standing out as something special.
by Narishta, 25 Nov 2004
by Narishta, 25 Nov 2004
Spend the money on limo ride to anywhere on Belvoir Street in Leicester instead if you want Indian food.
We went with four guests on a Saturday night. Staff were friendly enough, but quite aggressive. Ambience was the same as any other sterile designed bar / restaurant.
The food was quite an insult to be honest - tiny portions that weren't good enough to justify their size, naan bread that quite frankly was laughable (the stuff you get in a Tesco Indian Meal for Two was better).
The main dishes were of a high standard, but painfully ordinary and not really any different to any Indian restaurant anywhere in the country.
The best part of the experience was probably the guy dressed as a skeleton talking on a mobile outside the front door.
If you like spending your money in a carefully constructed faux riche Disneyland-Ikea-Changing-Rooms mock experience, this is your place. If you want to eat good food, keep well clear!
[NB - we didn't try the bar, though it did actually look quite nice, so not all bad! :) ]
by Anonymous, 04 Nov 2004
We went with four guests on a Saturday night. Staff were friendly enough, but quite aggressive. Ambience was the same as any other sterile designed bar / restaurant.
The food was quite an insult to be honest - tiny portions that weren't good enough to justify their size, naan bread that quite frankly was laughable (the stuff you get in a Tesco Indian Meal for Two was better).
The main dishes were of a high standard, but painfully ordinary and not really any different to any Indian restaurant anywhere in the country.
The best part of the experience was probably the guy dressed as a skeleton talking on a mobile outside the front door.
If you like spending your money in a carefully constructed faux riche Disneyland-Ikea-Changing-Rooms mock experience, this is your place. If you want to eat good food, keep well clear!
[NB - we didn't try the bar, though it did actually look quite nice, so not all bad! :) ]
by Anonymous, 04 Nov 2004
I've now been a couple of times - once for dinner on a Friday night and once for lunch on a Thursday.
Dinner on Friday - fantastic atmosphere, stunning drinks mixed by the ex-Che Bar posse followed by a superb dinner. Although I am a veggie I was really well catered for. The starter were well presented and the main courses were spicy and tasty without being too heavy or rich, which can often so be the case with Indian food. I wasn't paying, but it didn't look cheap.
Lunch on a Thursday - The place was empty. Must have been 25 people in the place, 10 of which were with my party. They have what they call a "Thali" menu at lunchtimes. Bit misleading if you know what a real Mumbai Thali is like! This was not a large steel plate containing a little taster of about 10 different dishes - instead this was just one main course with bit of raita-style yoghurt and some dal with veg in it. That said, the meal was still stunning and the service solid.
The only thing that I would suggest to the management of Mint Leaf is that they make their cocktail menu a little more "Indian" in feel; maybe a couple of exotic fruit cocktails. Maybe they could copy Akbar on Dean St (like they've copied Hakkasan on the decor!)
by Punkaj "top london reviewer" (27 reviews), 10 Apr 2004
Dinner on Friday - fantastic atmosphere, stunning drinks mixed by the ex-Che Bar posse followed by a superb dinner. Although I am a veggie I was really well catered for. The starter were well presented and the main courses were spicy and tasty without being too heavy or rich, which can often so be the case with Indian food. I wasn't paying, but it didn't look cheap.
Lunch on a Thursday - The place was empty. Must have been 25 people in the place, 10 of which were with my party. They have what they call a "Thali" menu at lunchtimes. Bit misleading if you know what a real Mumbai Thali is like! This was not a large steel plate containing a little taster of about 10 different dishes - instead this was just one main course with bit of raita-style yoghurt and some dal with veg in it. That said, the meal was still stunning and the service solid.
The only thing that I would suggest to the management of Mint Leaf is that they make their cocktail menu a little more "Indian" in feel; maybe a couple of exotic fruit cocktails. Maybe they could copy Akbar on Dean St (like they've copied Hakkasan on the decor!)
by Punkaj "top london reviewer" (27 reviews), 10 Apr 2004
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Photograph © Mint Leaf
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