Masala Craft

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

Well this is the best place to enjoy the authentic Indian food. I have tried few other restaurants like Maharaja, Angan and Namaste but so far I have found this restaurant much better than the others in terms of food, value for money and service. The staff is very friendly. They actually remember their customers favorite choices. The food served is fresh and hot. I am a sea food lover and I just love their Jhinga Makhani. Very delicious. I even tried Indo-Chinese and I must say that it was just perfect. Keep up the good work!

Aug 14, 2011 

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

The worst Food and service we had in all over Australia. The food served was tooooo less then its portion size.

The food served was burned. We ordered a full plate platter but was served less than half plate and burned. For that we were charged $20. The curry and naan was also burned, then we complain about the food. Then the same food served back in small service bowl without any modification. Its too far for us to offer complimentary dish even they did mistake.

We had to tell the waiter to pick the wine glass. The charges are very high and the food and service is one of the worst. Actually I would love to give them ranks in minus (-10 out of +10) but here I don't have any option so I wrote this.

In conclusion I would like to tell others that we were totally unsatisfied customers as we were charged and served. If you want to cut your pocket bank and get worst customer service, food service go over there or else find some other restaurant.

Jul 03, 2011 

6 Average

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  2      Value  6     

Food= Excellent, I have known Atul for past few years, but after a recent experience, I don't seem to be satisfied with the degree of customer service.
We have my wife's baby shower @ his place. However, I would like to share my experience.

The food was exceptionally good, however, the degree of service was really poor. Having paid the final bill, I forgot my credit card @ the desk. Masala craft staff were already aware that I had left my credit card over @ the counter. After having left the restaurant once the function was over, I found the card missing and Masala Craft staff were not even courteous to call me back and advise that the card was with them.

I came to know that the card was there, when I called them. I went back to collect the card and discuss with kitchen staff, that is a common Courtesy/Manners that you do call customer specially if they have organised function of around 27 people @ your place.

Upon hearing this, The kitchen staff claims that he never had my phone no. This was a Lie an acute Lie. Poor, pathetic reasons. No wonder, customer service plays a very important role, regardless of, however, good the quality of food is! Hope this feedback helps you to improve your degree of customer courtesy!

Response from Management:
Hi Vish, 
Thanks for your review. I was informed by the service staff about your forgotten card at the restaurant and it was kept safe at the front desk.
It was just one of those days when all our team including myself were busy the whole day from 10am to 11pm. So personally I could not call you. Apology.

On that front I strongly state that there has never been any misuse of credit cards from my team. And we come across this kind of situation quite often and it has been handled in an appropriate manner without upsetting our valued guests. Thank you. 


Atul
Chef of Masala Craft

Feb 21, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

After an awful experience at the french/vietnamese restaurant next door waiting over an hour and no food and rude staff my party of 6 for my fiance's birthday arrived here tired and hungry and a bit put out, we ordered, had food in less than 10 minutes and all mains within 20 minutes, wonderful staff who looked after us and made us feel welcome and cared for.

The food was beautiful, fresh with gorgeous spices wonderful taste and smell. Much praise to this restaurant, a little gem in Thornbury, mostly have take out and delivery from them since and these meals are just as nice as dine-in's.

Response from Management:
Thank you very much Annette for your valuable review. It happens on weekends especially on Friday & Saturday that people have to wait bit longer for dine in, take away & home deliveries. We tried our best to serve your group on that day & got acknowledged from you. Thank you once again & see you again.

With regards,
Chef Atul
Masala Craft

Sep 19, 2010 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

We have visited Masal Craft, when Bollywood star Vikram Gokhale diner was diner was organised by Maharashtra Mandal of Victoria. It was a wonderful dining experience. The food was excellent. Tastes are so authentic Indian. Onion Pakodas are just so crunchy and tasty and chicken dishes are lovely. We were served at right time and Chef was having an eye on the tables for the service.

Staff is friendly soft spoken and eager to serve. Kids had a separate table and they enjoyed the dinner with kids meals. We also visited afterwards and experienced the same personalised service for our dinner. If you are in Melbourne this is a must visit for an authentic Indian taste from the state of Maharashtra! -Ninad Katyare

Response from Management:
Thank you very much Mr. Ninad, it is indeed a useful review for those who love authentic Indian food.We always strive to serve fresh food, apart from this we have had renovation done in June 2010,installing split reverse heating & cooling system,new warm lighting, new menu, wall colouring etc in order to provide warm & cozzy feel.
We look forward to serve you again in near future.
Thank you.
with warm regards.
Chef Atul.

Jul 06, 2010 

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

Food was very good quality and tasty. Nice to see some dishes that aren't so common. Ambience was average, could do with some modern darker colours and new lighting and more warmth (was quite cold). Service was good. Value for money was average compared to other Indian restaurants in the area.

Response from Management:
Thank you very much Jack for your feedback. We are working on ambience aspect,
also got couple more heaters to keep a hall more warm.
Thank you once again.
Atul , Chef Masala Craft.

Jul 09, 2009 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  10     

The food is really really good. Its tasty, fresh and authentic. The ambience is generally okay. Sometimes the music can be unpleasant, but overall its fine.
Service is just like any other restaurant. Overall I will recommend this restaurant to my friends and family.

Response from Management:
Thank you very much Sebastian for your feed back.We will look into music aspect & will try to play some soft classical music.

Thank you again for your patronage.
Chef Atul, Masala Craft.

May 20, 2009 

6.3 Average

Food  10      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  7     

Food - No doubt excellent.

Service - Lazy n slow to react some times dont even understand what customers is asking for.

Ambience- Very bad (you need to probably invest lil bit on decor, mate)

Take Away Service- Very Slow (Min 30 min and having confirmed over the phone if the food is ready still make you wait for 15 min)

It was particularly insulting (for a regular take-away customer) when it was insisted that 25 cents be paid when falling a bit short on that amount.

Response from Management:
Hi Sean, Thank you for your valued feedback, sorry for the delayed reply.
Well There are few things which we really need to look into, service is one of them & will improve slowly as the staff is getting trained. With the time they will improve their language skills as well because they all are student & they are exposed to English while in School.
Regarding ambience, as you know we are in the recession, business is very uncertain at the moment, banks are getting tougher in lending money. At this moment my concern is to serve the best quality food we can & maintain the cleanliness. although I am goining to do few things in couple of weeks to improve the ambience. hopefully that will appeal everyone .
If you have to wait extra time for your take away than promised, my apologies, but may be we were busy & many a times few take away & dine in orders come together & food gets delayed.
It is sad that the guys kept you on hold for 25 cents when you are so regular.
I have instructed them about this issue.
I really thank you for letting me know the odds that we are going through, we are working on it. Hope to see you soon.
Thank you,
Chef Atul Khore. Masala Craft

May 09, 2009 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  10     

An excellent place to be who serve genuine and traditional Indian food. I have been to many fancy Indian rest. but this one is the best. I would highly recommend their Harabara chicken. The chef is so cool and experienced, has worked in 5 star hotels as a head chef, he came out and ask how is the food, wait staff was not to the scratch but will do. Otherwise, everything is fine with me.

Response from Management:
Thanks VKT for your feedback. Looking forward to see you again.
Chef Atul Khore, Masala Craft

Apr 30, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  3      Service  10      Value  10     

I hadn't been to an indian for a while, because it can often be disappointing, often tasting like the jars you can buy at the supermarket. Anyway, not this place, the food was definitely the best indian I've had in a long long time, perfect flavours I know I could never come anywhere near at home. Really really impressed. Friendly service also. My only bad point is the ambience, if you like dining in really bright fluoro lighting then you'll love it. Dim the lights! Please! create some atmosphere!

Response from Management:
Hi pip47, Thanks for your valued feedback. We will look into the ambience aspect but it is going to take bit of time. But in the mean time you can enjoy your dinner in the 1st hall where the lights are dim.
Thank you again & look forward to see you.

Apr 11, 2009