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A I R All India Balmain

Overall Rating

7.3

 bullet Read 89 reviews 
 bullet Review this restaurant 
 bullet Special Offer! 

 

 

The Bijou
Shop 1, 2a Rowntree St
Balmain NSW 2041

Phone (02) 9555 8844
Fax (02) 9555 8785

 

website for A I R All India Balmain Website   menu for A I R All India Balmain Menu   view map Map   weather at A I R All India Balmain Weather  
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Special Offers!

 

Exclusive to Eatability!

Sydney restaurant star 25% off your bill

 

Receive 25% off your bill to a maximum discount of $35 off

 

Our offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions

Valid from 1st Jul 2008 to 20th Dec 2008

 

How:

Tables must be booked in advance to redeem this offer. Please present a printout of this offer when paying your bill.

 

 

Exclusive to Eatability!

Sydney restaurant star Bollywood Extravaganza - Dinner & Live Entertainment

 

Thursday 11th December 2008, from 7pm. Includes 3 course dinner with desserts, 5 hours of entertainment; Bollywood, Belly Dancers, Henna Artist, song & dances on a large screen, dancing to DJ - loads of fun!
Cost $45 pp Cost includes unlimited food, soft drinks & entertainment. BYO wine
Visit our website at www.all-india.com.au for more details

 

Not valid in conjunction with other promotions or our other Eatability promotions

Valid from 31st Oct 2008 to 30th Dec 2008

 

How:

Book now, limited seats available. Please send email to at manager@all-india.com.au to reserve your place or call 95558844

 

 

Exclusive to Eatability!

Sydney restaurant star 3 Course Set Menu for $25 per person

 

3 Course Banquet menu only $25, normally $35, is on special for Eatability users on Weekends

Menu:
All Side Dishes;
Papdi chaat, chicken tikka, crab croquettes;
Butter chicken, Bombay Beef, Dal masala;
Rice and naans

 

Our offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions

Valid from 1st Jun 2008 to 15th Dec 2008

 

How:

Please present a printout of the offer when paying your bill

 

 

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Overall Rating              7.3  
 
Food                7.3  
Ambience                7.4  
Service                7.1  
Value                7.3  

 

Recommended based on 98 votes
(The Overall Rating is calculated using a Weighted Average)
       
 

 

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Awards

Awards 2007   Finalist in the Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence

 

 

User Reviews on A I R All India Balmain


 
Displaying 1 - 10 of 89 comments
 
Page: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9   Next
 

 

 

Overall             Below Average
Food 5 Ambience 4 Service 3 Value 6

 

When we moved to the area a couple of years ago, this became our favourite Indian restaurant. However, as time has passed, so has the quality. We have had a number of average meals here (we went back as we wanted to make sure it wasn't just a bad night!). The food is a little on the bland side and the restaurant has never been more than a third full when we have eaten there, culminating in a lack of atmosphere.

It's not bad value for money, but for a little extra you can get much better quality food elsewhere. On one occasion we did mention to the staff that we were unhappy with the dining experience (microwaved starters - warm on the outside and cold on the inside followed by a mild curry that nearly blew my head off) and to their credit they knocked 25% off the bill.

Finally, the service is terrible, the management behind the counter seem to be on the ball, but the floor staff are poor. I really wanted this place to be a favourite, but sadly, this isn't the case.
 
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Ewen  -   See my reviews 10reviews, 31 October 2008
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Overall             Recommended
Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 7

 

Good value and really tasty. Great local restaurant.
 
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flatout  -   See my reviews 4reviews, 27 October 2008
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Overall             Recommended
Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 9 Value 8

 

Tasty food and really good value with a $25 3 course Set Menu. We were so full after the first two courses that we didn't bother with the desserts.
 
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ajen010  -   See my reviews 1review, 27 October 2008
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Overall             Recommended
Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 7 Value 6

 

Not a bad Indian restaurant. I have been here twice now and both times had a pleasant dining experience. The food is pretty good, although I wouldn't say it's the best indian I have had.

The first night we came here the background music was a little loud and made it hard to have a conversation across the table, but other than that I couldn't really complain. Servings are quite generous too which makes it worth the price tag.
 
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Yolski  -   See my reviews 10reviews, 07 September 2008
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Overall             Recommended
Food 6 Ambience 9 Service 5 Value 6

 

Hmm where to begin, being a 'curry lover' with south Asian heritage I had high expections especially after reading all the reviews. All the positive comments are pretty accurate - the food good, the atmosphere is amazing - by far one of the nicest decorated Indian places (if not overall restaurants) I have been to.

Service is OK (my boyfriend was not very impressed that the waitress did not know one of the dishes we asked about) and yea, overall it's a very decent restaurant. The really negative reviews, I guess they just had an unfortunate experience with the restaurant. Like I said before, an extremely nicely decorated restaurant, must admit very romatic. Oooooh!

Cant be all positive though... The website lies about the prices. Dont believe the "$ = average price of $ 1-15", the popadums barely cost that!! (one thing I was not happy about.. I HATE PAYING FOR POPADUMS). The price is still reasonable though, most dishes around $18, and really generous servings. We only bought a dish between the two of us and we were unable to finish it. BUTTTTTTTTTT I was expecting a cheap yet decent curry, so I blame the website for the not-so-accurate "$" information. The food was good, but the madras was EXTREMELY SPICY *aaaah.

My first indian restaurant experience in Sydney, and I must admit I was pretty impressed but mainly because of the ambience. Definitely worth going to for some 'classy' indian food.

 

Response from Management:

Hmm.. I have changed the eatability pricing on pappadums.
We cannot afford to give any free food, end of the month, I have to pay $13000 rent, and pay for 15 staff etc.. these days it is not very easy to run a business, and all food costs are soaring daily. I hope you will understand

I have owned this restaurant from the last 10 years, and I have not increased the prices. 10 years back most of the the dishes were 15.90, now it is 17.90

Anyways thanks for your comments...!!, Biju Owner
 
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schizo_gurl  -   See my reviews 1review, 17 August 2008
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Overall             Recommended
Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 6 Value 7

 

I had given up on Indian in Sydney, until a friend mentioned this restaurant. Last night was the third time that I have been, and I am genuinely happy with the overall experience. Service doesn't match the food, but a little patience is all that's required. We had a minor issue with one dish, and they went out of their way to fix everything to our satisfaction. Worth a look if like me, you find other Indian restaurants in Sydney disappointing.
 
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scotth  -   See my reviews 14reviews, 28 July 2008
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Overall             Recommended
Food 8 Ambience 6 Service 8 Value 8

 

Took a group of ten girls here for my birthday in May. It was a Saturday night and the place was pretty full. The food was delicious and the service was great. My only suggestion is that they re-consider some of the music they were playing. It was a cross between what I assume is traditional Indian and early 90's dance. Very strange.

But a great restaurant and I will be back to eat here again!
 
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amc000  -   See my reviews 6reviews, 11 July 2008
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Overall             Recommended
Food 8 Ambience 8 Service 7 Value 9

 

I love this place. The service can be a bit challenging but every restaurant has to train new staff occasionally. And to keep the authenticity, I like that the staff are mostly Indian. If you are easy going, and don't mind being patient, the food is great. Love the slow cooked lamb.
 
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MelbourneGal  -   See my reviews 2reviews, 28 June 2008
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Overall             Recommended
Food 7 Ambience 7 Service 6 Value 7

 

Decent menu, some innovative dishes not found on traditional Indian menus. Worth a visit in you like Indian food and frequent Balmain.
 
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The Satisfied Customer  -   See my reviews 34reviews, 25 May 2008
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Overall             Average
Food 8 Ambience 7 Service 1 Value 8

 

Visited this restaurant on Friday 2nd May, unfortunately, unable to comment on the food as for the first time ever left a restaurant without even ordering. Arrived without a reservation and was promptly seated, waitress came over to give us menu's and take a drinks order. I ordered a diet coke and before my husband could ask for a beer she promptly disappeared.

Returned with 2 diet cokes, one which was returned and then went to get the beer. 10 minutes later she came back and asked what beer he wanted and then vanished again, after a further 10 minutes and no sign of any beer or a food order being taken my husband had enough and we left. Tried to pay for the diet coke but staff were hanging around till chatting and had no interest whatsoever.

What a complete disappointment, we love Indian food and are Balmain locals. We have eaten here previously and the food was excellent on the last occasion, however, it looks like we will continue to go to Surry Hills for decent food and service.

 

Response from Management:

By management
Dear Guest, I apologise for the inconvenience caused to you, because of the negligence of my staff. I was to