The Empress

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 15 reviews

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141 Leman Street,
London,
E1 8EY

0871 971 6664
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.

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The Empress
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Reviewer digit
16/08/2011
As a weekly traveller down from the north of England (which is mostly kashmiri food) I was looking forward to some Bangladeshi cuisine, being the type I grew up with in Scotland. The Empress never disappoints! Having tried a few of the much hyped brick lane curry houses, this is by far the best east end curry by a country mile. The Pathia dishes are zingy and hot, while the lamb melts in the mouth. All the lads are friendly and are always attentive, a shake of the hand and welcome back every time a walk in the door. Cant recommend enough!
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Reviewer BROWNIE3845
18/11/2010
My first time The Empress in leman street and what a delight it was,it was packed on a miserable tuesday night but the service and the quality of the food was amazing all 9 members of our group loved it very very friendly staff, nice venue lots of atmosphere,staff recomendations on the food was hugely welcome a must for all curry lovers,we will be having our office christmas party there
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Reviewer Eardley
28/07/2009
We have just eaten here for the first time. Really good food, extremely reasonably priced, with excellent service. What more can you ask from a restaurant?
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Reviewer jackie-willow
27/04/2009
We will all be back next week and probably make this a weekly spot. This is how all restaurants should be. ”
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Reviewer Lisa J
20/04/2009
I ordered a takeaway from the Empress Indian restaurant last night, and I found myself eating the best Indian food I have tasted in years!

I had a lamb dish called rajshahi, and lemon rice. Both were delicious, with top quality ingredients, and lightly spiced so that all of the natural flavors were enhanced.

The garlic nan was a revelation - it had a superb taste and texture, and none of those strange bright food colorings.

All of the food was fresh, natural and healthy, and not in the least bit oily.
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Reviewer Anonymous
02/09/2008
After reading the good reviews, I had high expectation and ordered home delivery last night. How disappointing, the curries and briyani are too oily and testless, the briyani sauce (veg curry) was off, I could smell bad as soon as I opened the container. Only nan was just ok. This is the first time I just throw the food straight to the bin.
Everybody seems to have had nice meal at this restaurant but what happened? Was it just a bad luck? Whatever it is I will never order from this place again!
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Reviewer Anonymous
01/10/2008
I am the manager of the restaurant. I am very sorry if this is a genuine review. Please contact me at the restaurant with proof of pruchase if this is the case and we will happily refund your money or supply you with another meal free of charge. However, I don't believe this is a genuine review as if it was the case and you had spent the best part of £20 that you weren't happy with wouldn't you have contacted us and complained or asked us to give you another meal?
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Reviewer Anonymous
17/10/2008
Thanks for your reply. Of course this is a genuine post, if you have a system to check, I have ordered the delivery late night on 1Sep from SE16. I did not want to contact the restaurant because I didn’t want a hassle after a long day of work.
I am afraid I wouldn’t try to order again because every food was just too oily. Sorry just not for us… Aishah
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Reviewer s963
28/01/2012
I agree with the review dated 2 Sep 2008, my entire meal was literally swimming in oil. I ordered vegetable mixed starter, korai chicken, madras sauce, and two naans, to take back to a nearby hotel I was staying in on business. 1) The starter was ok, but very oily especially the onion bhaji, when I squeezed it loads of oil seeped out of it. 2) The Korai chicken was served in a long foil tray, but was a tiny portion, less than half full and was covered in oil/ghee, which I had to pour out. 3) The madras sauce was served in a small foil tray and again was half full (one quarter madras sauce, and one quarter layer of oil/ghee on top) 4) The naans were the only thing that tasted good, and had a soft texture, but I asked for no butter/ghee on both naans, but they buttered them anyway. I definitely won't be going here again, and will not recommend it to anyone if you like good quality food. Trust me, I'm Indian, I cook my own curries at home which I've learnt from my mum and mother in law, and Indian chefs. I would rate The Empress food 1 mark out of 10. They need a new chef. I would have taken it back, but as the company was paying I didn't bother. I don't understand why this restaurant has good reviews, either they're false reviews or the other reviewers are easily pleased.
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Reviewer Anonymous
05/08/2008
This is the best indian restaurant in the country. The food is superb and I have probably eaten there over 100 times. The owners and the staff are great. Try the shepards pie and the lamb sikendari and also nazakat for starters.
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Reviewer Anonymous
10/07/2008
we live in a nearby block. This was the first time we had gone in there. We have always frequented red chilli or cirilo in the past (both very good esp cirilo). We went in mainly because they had stuck a note through our door saying we could have a discount. On arrival we enquired about the discount but it was not applied to our bill and since we had already found one other error on the bill and contested that, my boyfriend did not want to contest it. The main course food is very tasty and delicately flavoured, would say that the naan's are better in red chilli, the house white wine was not so great, chutney/pickle with the poppadums is ok but you get CHARGED for it. The ambience is a bit harsh, the lights are like you are in a shop, it would be nice if they had candles or such instead. Nice plates. Staff, good at recommending dishes, obviously not so attentive on other issues like billing as already discussed.
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Reviewer Anonymous
06/08/2007
The best indian meal I've ever had. Simple as that.
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Reviewer reddchilli
18/05/2007
One of the most memorable dining experiences I could think of was at The Empress. The food was extraordinary and staff's level of service was excellent.
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Reviewer Anonymous
03/01/2007
The Empress serves traditional Indian food which is absolutely delicious! Some of the best I’ve ever had. The staff are fantastic too – I’ve recommended The Empress to everyone I know!
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Reviewer reddchilli
26/01/2006
I had the best Indian food I have ever eaten at The Empress. And what can I say about the service at The Empress? Five star mate.
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Reviewer Anonymous
07/09/2005
Empress is a really nice Indian restaurant. There is a lot of choice and some good veggie options. The staff are always polite and I don’t think I’ve had a bad meal at the Empress yet.
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Reviewer Kirstin Quinn
14/07/2005
We have now visited the Empress on several occasions and keep on going back. Highly recommended. It's a bit hidden away but certainly worth a visit. The food is wonderful and the staff go that extra special mile.

We normally visit in Lunch hour and the speedy attentive service is always much appreciated.

Try the 'Bomb' challenge..!!
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Reviewer Anonymous
13/12/2004
Good authentic menu - friendly staff. Tucked away but worth finding.
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