Saravanas

Saravanas is a great restaurant, very tasty and authentic South Indian food, and they keep the thalis varied so you can go back again and again! The masala dosas are also excellent, everything is cooked freshly and extremely reasonable in price. I have always found the staff to be really friendly, as regulars we are warmly welcomed and well attended. It's one of Willesden/Dollis Hill's best kept secrets. And the TV in the background has to be considered part of the experience!

Name: KEG
Location: Willesden Green

I dine out very often and for me personally it is to experience and enjoy the evening,with good food, fine service and not worry aobut the bills as its all a part of having a good evening out,however i was shocked in this case.

i was totally appalled at the poor service level of this restaurant, we arrived at 7.30 pm and were not served until 9.30pm, there were 4 sets of guests that arrived after us and left before us.

the arrogance of the management of staff took over the general atmosphere as they do not have any respect for your time and fail to recognise concept of customer's needs.I feel the local authorities and the FSA should put in place some form of trainnig in order that simple manners can be used for these type of restaurants to maintain cleanliness and standards which should be implimented regularly.

I found it extrememly irritated by the manager who had no communication skills when asked a question, he simply failed to repsond???? how on earth can you expect to run a public place when you have no language skill???

That is another matter for me to approach.

i would NOT RECOMMEND THIS VENUE FOR EVEN A BITE AS THERE IS FLAVOURS IN THE FOOD AND THE MANAGEMENT LEFT A VERY BITTER TASTE TO MY UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE.

I was taken to Saravanas initially to prove that you could find fresh, vegetarian, indian food worth having if I you knew the right place.
Saravanas proved my boyfriend right, I haven't heard the end of it since!
The restaurant staff are very friendly and make every effort to accommodate your needs.
I had two small children when we first started going there (2004), and they were nothing but patient and helpful. It's always good to find somewhere that accepts children rather than just tolerating them, without also feeling that you're in the creche.
We've been as a family group with children, and as an evening date with adults, and we always have a good time.
We are shortly going for a birthday blow out. Credit crunch may have hit, but this will still be a full on celebration - order anything/everything you fancy, without worrying that it'll cost the price of a small car - type deal.
If you want the closest thing to authentic, home cooked, vegetarian food - and it's a reasonable price, in a relaxed atmosphere... You can't lose!
Enough said.
Try it.

Today (Sunday)I tried the Buffet Lunch at Saravanas close to Dollis Hill station. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Tasty food, friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere. The restaurant was half full with mostly Indian couples. There was a big telly above the bar showing a football match which did not disturb as it does is some places.

About the Buffet: take a round metal tray with its individual bowls and help yourself to the food. Plain rice is kept hot in a steamer; and there are four mainly lentil based curries: one with aubergines (hot), one with courgettes (medium), another spicy one and a mild chickpea dish. Each one had its own individual taste. There was also a thin onion soup with was very tasty. As well as poppadom and chutney and dips, dried chillies and plain yogurt (I did not try the chili dip as I feared it would be too hot for me, I also did not touch the dairy as I am vegan but the one dip I tried was red and oily and delicious).

The Buffet lunch is served from 12.00-15.30 and priced £4.99 which includes a can of coke, fanta or a cup of tea or coffee. Jug of water is served as well. When I came back after I had washed my hands (you can use cutlery but no one did so I just copied the other diners), my table was already neatly cleared and my tea waiting. I will be back with my friends.....