Reviews in Taunton

just had our first takeaway from Lotus Flower, it was fabulous! Fragrant, light and very, very tasty. sorry to our other takeaway haunts - it's lotus flower every time from now on :-)

Well situated and good menus. Staff very professional, pleasant and obliging. Good ambience. On my repeat list.

A gastro-restaurant spent a lot on a modern refurbishment of this village inn but it failed after a sell-off. It has just been taken over by an Indian Restaurant and Take-Away service, free delivery within 5 miles. With high hopes we ordered four take-away dishes that we thought would showcase their skills. They arrived quarter an hour before the agreed time, piping hot, each container labelled and filled to over-brimming with generous good sized portions. Unfortunately from then on it was down hill. The three meat dishes were swimming in the same colour and flavour sauce. The meat itself was differently flavoured and textured, the spices flavourings were indistinct and muddled and the other ingredients over cooked pulp without shape or texture. The lamb in the Bahari Murgh was evenly sliced and cut into strips that suggested it was a pre-cooked joint re-heated for the dish. The Duck Mirchi had a marinated texture but was indistinct. The fish in the Bongo Shagor was on the bone, had a good strong dried fish flavour, but was impossible to take off without taking bone with it. The main flat fish was indeterminate. The Vegetable Dansak was an utter disgrace, just odd chunks of left-over vegetable and oh yes two chunks of pineapple but no discernable lentil dall. Compared to the rank oil gloup that other Indian Restaurants serve up, their sauce had a pleasant flavour. The fore-warnings of an overly large menu trying to include every possible dish known to the English proved correct. Unfortunately despite a very posh setting this is more of the same and fails to deliver distinct dishes, freshly cooked to order and reflecting their particular regional style of cooking. Sad.

This is a great pub! Well-kept ale and cider, good food and loads of atmosphere. Great place to hide on a rainy day!

what a shit hole the people are very rude got no idea how to be civil its unclean and they give me food poisoning !!!!!!! probably something to do with the 7 cats they keep locked upstairs totally reeks of amonia "cats piss" and also after the way they treated me ill be getting all my mate to give you bad stinking reviews aswell.

Visited this venue at end of May 2010. The previous comments about booking are, to say the least, generous. Tried booking by phone TWICE......not a dicky bird!! As I work locally I then went in to book. Should have realised at this point that things didn't look good!!! Anyway, eventually got owner to agree a booking for 6. Turned up for meal and table prepared. Owner spent most of evening "doing paperwork" and ignored his (paying) clientele. The one waitress, who has been there for 28 years, we felt should should not be in a service industry. Many minor niggles, but when it came to the coffee, I could not believe what happened. Having requested a sweetener I was informed, abruptly that it was the first time in 28 years she had been asked for some, and informed me , that as I had had a desert, I obviously didn't need sweeteners!!! I then informed her that I was diabetic, and if I wanted a sweetener I felt she should have them in the restaurant. At the same time my wife asked for HOT milk with her coffee. The waitress then said , very rudely "No, we don't have fresh milk. If we had that and sweeteners we would have to put our prices up" When the chef departed she looked like thunder as well. Having said all that, the food was adequate, not "French", We obviously left no tip, and being well known around town we now positively advise people not to visit this eaterie. Their loss, they should get themselves sorted out.

I have been to this restaurant for years. It is consistently good, you know you are going to get a good meal. Some people seem to think the unchanged menu is a bad thing - I don't! There is enough variety on there for everyone and if you've got a firm favourite, you know it will still be there next time you go. I've always found the staff fine - yes, you have to leave messages to get a table but they've always got back to me.

Charming, good food but now mainly caters for large house parties, where guests take over the whole hotel.

I have no idea what restaurant is like as it is impossible to book a table. I rang on two consecutive nights to book a table for 7 people and had to leave a message on their answering machine but they did not ring back. I tried again on Saturday lunch time and this time managed to speak to them but was told they did not have access to bookings and would ring me back - I waited until 7pm and then rang again and once again had to leave another message. It is now Tuesday and they have not yet returned one of my calls. Needless to say we will not be going there. I would suggest they have a look at their customer service issues.

Lovely food most of the time, but difficult to get an answer to the phone when trying to book which means that you end up wondering if you've got your table or not ! Waitress can be a bit too moody too, but they're always full, so must be doing something right !

Excellent Thai food-- the best I have ever tasted. Very fresh, tasty, and healthy! I will definitely go back again and again. I highly recommend this place. Cozy/authentic decor as well.

In my opinion the best kept secret in the area. Been eating here for years - the food interesting, seasonal, local & varied, service wonderful and atmosphere relaxed. Highly recommended.

Very disappointed! the service was slow and not 'with a smile', they were not busy and yet it took 40 minutes to bring us the 3 salads we had ordered. I will never go there again and will advise all my friends and family to do likewise.

Excellent oasis of good food,(whopping portions!), drink and a warm cosy atmosphere in the pub. This landlord knows how to keep his Real Ale to perfection - such a joy these days. Very reasonably priced, good menu selection, and great local Somerset ingredients, especially on the Daily Specials board. Don't drive passed, as we sadly, have done before. Now it's a regular watering hole for us on cross -country trips.

Perfect for a romantic dinner for two or a large party (they have big round tables at the back). The interior is finished in top quality fashion. Ambient lighting and soft authentic Chinese music. Authentic Chinese benches in the bar / waiting area, Chinese framed artwork on the walls and comfy seats with generous size tables. The staff are very helpful, cheerful and always smiling. I have been going here for years and staff turnover is very very low which is a good thing. Food quality is heads and shoulders above the rest. Consistently delivers delicious authentic Chinese food. The head chef and owner have been in partnership for over 20 years with over 60 years experience between them so they know what they are doing! The only negative if I have one is the parking, but there is a Morrison's 5 mins walk away, but we know how some people can be lazy these days! 10/10 *

It was very difficult to pin down a definite booking from the owner/manager at this restaurant, but we knew this, it didn't put us off . we have been here many times and enjoyed it, the food is fantastic, very varied but always delicious. located within walking distance of town centre makes it easy to finish your night off in pubs or clubs (if desired). Book in advance, be persistent, it's worth it

great food - try the jungle curry! friendly service & relaxed atmosphere full marks!

one of my favourite thai haunts