Mandala Nepalese Restaurant

4 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  2      Service  3      Value  5     

Went on a voucher for 2 entrees, 2 mains, and 2 desserts for $49.

For entree we ordered the garlic prawns and chicken sekuwa. Not bad but nothing special, chicken was slightly burnt.

For mains we ordered the butter chicken and a lamb curry. The serving were ridiculously small in a tiny little metal cup around 8cms circumference and 5cms tall. The butter chicken was quite nice but the lamb curry was watery and flavourless so I had to add salt just to get more flavour but it still tasted horrible.

For dessert we ordered some donut ball in syrup and a coffee pannacotta. The pannacotta was nice but the donut thing wasn't.

Overall below average experience and wouldn't go again. Also the music they play is very annoying.

May 27, 2012 

5.5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

We visited for a dinner. The food was tasty (most of it) and the service was ok. But there was nothing special about it.

Apr 15, 2012 

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

We visited with a voucher. We were pleased with the food, black lentil pancakes, pork belly, spinach lamb curry, goat curry, and 2 desserts. The food had good flavor.

We were disappointed in the atmosphere, as the restaurant was quite empty, and the server placed all visitors in tables right next to each other. We felt uncomfortable being that close to another table when the restaurant had so much open space.

The service was just okay. Timing of food was good. The server was not very attentive, as she spent a lot of time walking back and forth from the kitchen.
The value was good because we used a voucher. We've been in the past, and were really pleased then. We were not as pleased this visit. Hopefully, it was just an off day for the shop.

Mar 23, 2012 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

Quite simply the best restaurant meal I have had for sometime. Great Value, lots of food. We got the Banquet for 3 of us and there was enough for for 4 or 5. All the dishes were beautiful, I really hope this place does well. The Staff were really friendly and the manager asked us specifically we thought of each individual dish which I thought was nice. We will certainly be back!

Jan 22, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

We took the precaution of booking ahead for a Sat eve which was just as well, as the place was fairly full and quite noisy as well. Once again, proceedings were disturbed by a table of diners with two obnoxious and disruptive kids. After ruining the atmosphere inside they then went outside to do cartwheels in the street. When, oh when, are we going to see the first kids-free restaurants in this town?

We started off with “momo”, which is a Nepalese dumpling. You can choose between the chicken or vegetarian filling. We choose veg and got chick, but enjoyed it anyway. The meat was firm and chewy and we just loved the smooth, rubbery texture of the outer coating of the dumpling. The tangy, spicy roasted tomato dipping sauce was the perfect complement.

For mains I choose the large “Beda ko Masu”, which is a lamb curry cooked in tom, ginger and cumin and my wife went for the “Jal Pari”, barramundi fillets, also with tom, ginger and cumin (sound familiar? maybe this combo of tom, ginger and cumin is a specialty here). Plus of course, we ordered the obligatory rice and naan bread.

Portions were generous although my wife found the barramundi dish too salty for her taste and so she sent it back. The polite waitress agreed without argument to try and desalt it! Apart from that I found the fish fillets (small pieces, lamb size) tender and tasty and nicely complemented by the sauces and the mixed vegetables.

The lamb was served in a large, round silver urn which I found quite unusual. The meat was fresh and succulent and well cooked the way I like it but I did find it a tad bland. Perhaps, some accompaniment like peas or potatoes would have given it that extra flavour that it seemed to be missing. The rice was white and fluffy and the naan bread slightly different in that it was a plate full of small pieces of thin, almost toasted slices, rather than the two large, soft pieces that one usually gets in Indian rests but then I guess this is Nepalese.

We finished off with a shared rice pud. The serving was generous and the texture rich and creamy. The interior decor is quite stylish for a mid-priced suburban restaurant, with carpeted floors and interesting wall hangings. Tables are neatly laid with crisp white napery and silver cutlery.

Service was polite, efficient and helpful. The single toilet is clean and well provisioned but you’ll need to step out the back door and walk down a little lane to get there.

All up, and with a 20% discount voucher dropped into our letterbox, we paid $53 for one starter, two mains, a single serve of rice, a single serve of naan bread and a rice pud. That’s reasonable value in these inflationary times. Had we used our Ent Bk voucher with its 25% discount, we would have paid $50 but we’ll save that for another time.

Nov 03, 2011 

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  5     

Very disappointed with here. Really after reading the great reviews we expected so much more.

We had a group of 12 so got put upstairs in the cushion room which was ok as we had it pretty much to ourselves. But from there was down hill.

We went for the banquet thinking it would be faster and easier and should be a pick of the better dishes. Oh, but we were so wrong. Service was ultra slow! And the food, well lets just say that it seems we got some of the worst dishes available on the menu. Some was ok with the lamb curry probably the best, but really just go and choose from the menu, Don't get the banquet.

Desserts here were miniscule and would be lucky to satisfy a 2 year old! Don't bother with them. Maybe if you order rather than banquet it may be better, but this has never been the case elsewhere.

Oct 23, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

One of my favourite places in Sydney! The food is always top notch and good value and the staff are friendly as anything. The cushion room upstairs is really cool to hang out in and the owners are just great with their lovely smiles.

Jun 18, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

We were truly blown away by the subtle and unique flavours! The ambience was great, particularly the dining space upstairs. Beautiful furniture and exciting colours! Plus an owner who sings you a nice number to create the mood. Amazing!Mandala is a refreshing addition to Sydney's dining experience!

Jun 12, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

A great local favourite of ours. The food is consistently great, the service unfailingly friendly and the decor and ambiance heart-warming and cosy. We've loved going to Mandala for some time now, and we're never disappointed.

Jun 08, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Love the salon upstairs, a gorgeous cushion room perfect for a private party or romantic dinner. Great food and incredibly friendly team. Can't wait to go back.

Jun 05, 2011