The Island Stafford Restaurant, Tel 01785 215355 for Bookings & Takeaways

[PaulStafford]

Peter,
I have investigated and i am sorry to say, but you have over exaggerated abit toooo much, I haved checked CCTV, and you waited for your table for 11mins, you then was served your popadoms straight away after your order was taken, the staff that took your order is a part-time staff which is still learning special dishes, he came back to you straight away with a description of what a Tawa King Prawn was. Regarding starters, if you didn't know they are suppose to be small but not as small as your saying 'half inch by two inch slither of spiced fish', i think you exagerated again there, we would be emabarassed to serve a starter that small.
You say you waited 1hour & 45mins for your main course, no-one in there right mind would wait for a curry that long, you waited 47mins for your main course to be precise! that whole night we did not have 1 complaint, i have offered for you to come back again but no thanks i have read your other reviews about other places and i can see you love to give negative feedback.Goodluck to all the other restaurants that do get your custom!

Hello, i was with Peter and the times he states are correct. We arrived at 7.30 for our booked table. We were seated around 7.50. Poppadoms came quick and cold starters some considerable time later. Our mains arrived about 9.15. We ate quickly and left as quickly as the bill could be paid, by queuing at your bar. Please do not dispute, I have the receipt with the till times. Let's leave it at that but don't try to make someone out to be a liar. He didn't need to exaggerate it because the truth is poor enough.

 

[PeterD]

I gave my view of my night, called a liar and told I have form for being an unhappy diner. I am not some troll, and unprompted my friend has backed me up. Let's agree to disagree, but I know what happened on the night and I know what time we left there. Also if someone does visit there, please order and take a picture of the fish tikka, I wish I had.

This is the last I have to say on this.

 

[ATJ]

This incident has made me want to put in my two cents worth.
Before I start, I do not know Peter D and was not a part of his group that night.

I visited The Island towards the end of October with my partner. We booked our table in advance but had to wait at least 20 minutes for our table - there was a group next to us complaining that they had been waiting 40 minutes. It seemed that your staff were so desperate not to turn anyone away that they were willing to delay pre-booked customers in order to accommodate walk ins.

Jak dealt with us and was very friendly, but i was embarrassed on his behalf to see him be berated by another member of staff while behind the bar in full view of all the customers. I assumed that the person berating Jak was his manager but Jak informed us later that he was the more senior member of staff!

When we were eventually seated, we were on the table next to the toilets. I was mortified to see that dirty linen from the tables was just being piled up next to the toilet door for all customers to see.

Once seated we did have excellent service - it was a little too attentive actually, I felt rushed.

The poppadums were fine, the starters were tasty but small and the other half enjoyed his main but my modu lamb was so sweet that it was sickening.

I went away feeling that the place was mediocre but I would be willing to give it another chance once things have settled down in a few months however the response to PeterD's comments has really put me off, especially as so much of his experiences tally with mine.

I can't see myself going back now.

 

[Ant_shaw]

Myself and three friends went over to The Island after a drink at the Swan.Even though it was Saturday night we were quickly found a table and offered menus with an extensive range of dishes. My colleagues, one of whom is Asian, spent ages choosing something they have never had before. I had lost my glasses and couldn't get beyond the first two pages so chose something which I recognised.

We had delicious starters of shik kebabs and a particularly delicious Prawn Puri (mine). This was followed by garlic chilli chicken for my colleagues, with naan and rice and chips. And a tandoori salmon salad with a vegetable curry for myself. All was very delicious, mine came as a sizzling dish, and having requested the side of vegetable curry to be madras hot, it became a delicious spicy main dish. Being full we just finished off with coffees and were presented with a modest bill of just £40. Not bad for a Saturday night out.

All clean and comfortable, polite waiting staff, not fussing over you, which allows you to enjoy your meal with your friends rather than the staff. I think we will find this hard to beat. 10 out of 10.Though we will try!

 

[Withnail]

I c'Ant (be) _shaw what i want any more.

It may come to me later.

Though i will try!

 

[Ant_shaw]

I c'Ant (be) _shaw what i want any more.

It may come to me later.

Though i will try!

Lol i like what you did with that

 

[The Island - Stafford]

Once seated we did have excellent service - it was a little too attentive actually, I felt rushed.

Hi ATJ,

As you know we are still a new business and all we can say is that we are trying our best to please everyone, i know the first month we did have a few problems, but all restaurants do have there teething problems, alot of issues have been raised and we are learning from these and trying our best to improve.
I appreciate all feedback and it is just as important if not more to hear when things haven't been quite right, we take all reviews seriously and discuss all points made during meetings with the staff, We have removed the linen away from sight.

Please accept my apology for your experience. I hope that you will give us another chance as I assure you you will not be disappointed.

We have just received 5* from the Health agency, and hope to receive 5* in our Customer Service, We can only do this with feedback and support from our customers.
Thank you again, If you would like to discuss this further please do not hesitate to contact myself at The Island
Kind regards,

Shaz
The Island

 

[The Island - Stafford]

My party of 4 had good, friendly service when we visited on a Saturday night and will be back.

Hi, We at The Island really appreciate you taking the time to leave your positive feedback.
We look forward to welcoming you on your next visit!

Thanks Again

 

[The Island - Stafford]

All clean and comfortable, polite waiting staff, not fussing over you, which allows you to enjoy your meal with your friends rather than the staff. I think we will find this hard to beat. 10 out of 10.

Hi Ant,
Oh what a wonderful review! Thank you so much for your fantastic 5* review. It sounds like you thoroughly enjoyed your meal with us. I do love when our customers experience a full 3 course meal with us, and glad to know you were happy with the price,

I will show this review to our team, they will be please to read this, Hope to see you soon at The Island

Kind Regards,
Shaz

 

[shoes]

If nothing else, I'm really pleased to see The Island getting involved with the local forum and answering people's comments, good or bad, personally.

Previous experience suggests that this kind of involvement with your market on this forum makes for a successful business.

 

[Catabatic]

This incident has made me want to put in my two cents worth.
Before I start, I do not know Peter D and was not a part of his group that night.

I visited The Island towards the end of October with my partner. We booked our table in advance but had to wait at least 20 minutes for our table - there was a group next to us complaining that they had been waiting 40 minutes. It seemed that your staff were so desperate not to turn anyone away that they were willing to delay pre-booked customers in order to accommodate walk ins.

Jak dealt with us and was very friendly, but i was embarrassed on his behalf to see him be berated by another member of staff while behind the bar in full view of all the customers. I assumed that the person berating Jak was his manager but Jak informed us later that he was the more senior member of staff!

When we were eventually seated, we were on the table next to the toilets. I was mortified to see that dirty linen from the tables was just being piled up next to the toilet door for all customers to see.

Once seated we did have excellent service - it was a little too attentive actually, I felt rushed.

The poppadums were fine, the starters were tasty but small and the other half enjoyed his main but my modu lamb was so sweet that it was sickening.

I went away feeling that the place was mediocre but I would be willing to give it another chance once things have settled down in a few months however the response to PeterD's comments has really put me off, especially as so much of his experiences tally with mine.

I can't see myself going back now.

Walked out of this place last night. Turned up at 7.30 as booked, waited ages for table, choices finally taken then the elderly waiter (don't know anyones names) came over ( this is at 8.20 ) to make sure the orders are correct, we make observations about the time scale of things to be told '' don't tell me my job '' . Errr goodbye!! We went to the one next to the cinema for a far better service. This was my third and last visit.

 

[kyoto49]

We went to the Island last night and had a really positive experience. Arrived at 5pm (late lunch!!) quickly seated and menu's brought and meals ordered. Our wet coats were taken away to be hung which was a nice touch as who really wants a dripping wet coat on the back of their chair!. Everyone was courteous, meals were great and price reasonable. We gave some feedback that the meals could have been a tad hotter (temperature), but overall a very nice early evening meal. My brother was also impressed with the coffee - it wasn't filter but still tasted great.

Finally in all my many years on this earth during which I have visited many many Indian restaurants, I have never been served by a woman let alone a white woman. Not only did The Island have a lovely girl serving customers and waiting on, she was a local girl, so well done

 

[MichelleKing]

I visited this restaurant last night after reading reviews on here, wasn't sure if it would match up to my old favourite Panache which now closed. I have to say this restaurant is on par with panache if anything better.

Once i arrived it was busy, we were welcomed by a lovely staff who told us to wait for 2 minutes to wait in the lounge, but took him about 20 seconds to get us seated.

The menu had loads of different items compared to what we are use to, Handy dishes & fusion dishes, i did ask waitor about these and he explained what they were. I must say very cheap compared to other restaurants in the area.

We proceeded to our main meals,all freshly prepared,various dishes were ordered but a lamb jaupuri and a karahi chicken were both flavoursome and well presented.Bowls of garlic/plain rice were both well received. Coriander and garlic naan bread were warm,fresh and flavoursome.

The place is not licensed but you can take your own drinks in,glasses are provided.

The only downside was the restaurant was a little noisy,or it certainly was when we visited but that was due to i think a works party...but put this aside,the food is GREAT...

My friend ordered a side bowl of chips and the manager deducted these from the bill as good will for keeping us waiting, even though we didn't think we did.Will we go back..certainly will.

The manager shook our hands and invited us to return soon,the staff/service is excellent through out the restaurant and we consider ourselves very good judges, we've had curries everywhere, and this was near the top.

Best Indian in Stafford for me.Good atmosphere too. Take your own alcohol. Keep up the good work & BEWARE we will be regulars!!!!

 

[The Island - Stafford]

We went to the Island last night and had a really positive experience. Arrived at 5pm (late lunch!!) quickly seated and menu's brought and meals ordered. Our wet coats were taken away to be hung which was a nice touch as who really wants a dripping wet coat on the back of their chair!. Everyone was courteous, meals were great and price reasonable. We gave some feedback that the meals could have been a tad hotter (temperature), but overall a very nice early evening meal. My brother was also impressed with the coffee - it wasn't filter but still tasted great.

@koyoto49
This is really lovely feedback and the team join me in thanking you for sharing your positive experience with others.The fact that so many people continue to choose us is an enormous compliment and we aim to keep it that way by never forgetting that.

We were really pleased that you enjoyed your visit to our restaurant. I know another review may have put u off slightly, but you still did come and try us for your self and thank you for choosing us and for your very kind remarks. We hope to see you soon.

 

[The Island - Stafford]

I visited this restaurant last night after reading reviews on here, wasn't sure if it would match up to my old favourite Panache which now closed. I have to say this restaurant is on par with panache if anything better.

Once i arrived it was busy, we were welcomed by a lovely staff who told us to wait for 2 minutes to wait in the lounge, but took him about 20 seconds to get us seated.

The menu had loads of different items compared to what we are use to, Handy dishes & fusion dishes, i did ask waitor about these and he explained what they were. I must say very cheap compared to other restaurants in the area.

We proceeded to our main meals,all freshly prepared,various dishes were ordered but a lamb jaupuri and a karahi chicken were both flavoursome and well presented.Bowls of garlic/plain rice were both well received. Coriander and garlic naan bread were warm,fresh and flavoursome.

The place is not licensed but you can take your own drinks in,glasses are provided.

The only downside was the restaurant was a little noisy,or it certainly was when we visited but that was due to i think a works party...but put this aside,the food is GREAT...

My friend ordered a side bowl of chips and the manager deducted these from the bill as good will for keeping us waiting, even though we didn't think we did.Will we go back..certainly will.

The manager shook our hands and invited us to return soon,the staff/service is excellent through out the restaurant and we consider ourselves very good judges, we've had curries everywhere, and this was near the top.

Best Indian in Stafford for me.Good atmosphere too. Take your own alcohol. Keep up the good work & BEWARE we will be regulars!!!!

Thank you for taking the time to write your wonderful review. We are always endeavouring to meet and exceed our customers expectations. We take great pleasure in serving good food and providing good service we hope you continue using us all the time as regulars.It pleases me very much that you enjoyed our food and look forward to your continued custom.

 

[Swaggy]

Went to the Island saturday night, good meal pleasant service, will visit again for a couple of Xmas parties.

Thanks for your time on Saturday

 

[wildwood]

There's 5 of us going tonight - looking forward to it following the reviews.

 

[The Island - Stafford]

There's 5 of us going tonight - looking forward to it following the reviews.

That's Great, what time are you booked in at and your name of your booking?
Please also ask for Mo, Jak or Mr Miah when you come in.
Thanks for your booking

 

[wildwood]

PM'd Look forward to it.

 

[wildwood]

I assume they do soft drinks? Or are we best taking them too?