Simla Mirch

I used to frequent this place many many times but hadn’t in while till relatives came up from the South and wanted to go out for Indian. I thought straight off it had to be Nameste (née Simla) in Mt Eden.
The place has moved a few premises down and has had a modern makeover. I quite liked the previous traditional place as I feel this place may be a little stark and clinical. It could probably do with some soft furnishings and art on the walls.
Other than that the service was excellent and tentative. The waitress was new and young and a little inexperienced but hopefully with the coaching of the Matre D that was nearby will instil some confidence.
The food was amazing, a complimentary entrée was added for us to the sizzling mixed platter we ordered.
The curries were good and generous in size. One curry had meat that was a little hard and dry but they offered to replace that for me without an issue.
I’ll give them a bit to stock up their wine and spirits selection and get the service perfect but will definitely be back there again soon.

Let’s just clarify, I do only get takeaway. I have eaten here a number of times, but way back in 2007 and 2009 so I wouldn’t want to review that aspect.
In saying that, I love Simla. I find it consistently good, which is at odds with the reviewer below. I’m pretty boring though, Adrian and I always split a chicken tikka masala and a garlic naan. Don’t get me wrong, I actually really enjoy trying lots of different Indian dishes, but when I crave Indian takeaway at home it’s because I want tikka masala (and buttery naan). I also like the chicken tikka, but I think their onion bhaji is in the strips which I’m not a fan of. I like the pattie style version.
Parking is on Mt Eden Road, so it’s not great. Busy road, busy side roads. You can sometimes find parks right outside if you’re lucky, or I’d head down Grange Rd for a park. Anywhere you can really. The restaurant is not big but during the week it’s not super busy so I’m sure you can easily find a table. Weekends I’m not sure on.
They also do free delivery locally (convenient!) but if you order online via their website, you won’t get free delivery, there’s an automatic charge. However, if you phone them, it’s free. Totally weird, and I don’t think I’ve ever bothered to tell them so maybe it could be fixed if I mentioned it.
For a local takeaway, it’s great. Really great. And last night when I was suffering with a horrible cold, the spicy, garlicky goodness was amazing.

I quite like dining in at Simla, it’s nice and dark and exotic. This is the first place I ever had a Dal Makani that included kidney beans as well as lentils and it was an exciting moment. I’m easily excited by pulses.
I’d like to report that it’s amazing but actually it’s pretty inconsistent. Sometimes sensational, sometimes blah. Inconsistent is one of the worst things you can be as an Indian restaurant and we’ve veered towards other places because of it. Let’s face it the competition is pretty strong; Mt Eden village has four Indian restaurants and they’re all pretty good.
So Simla is fine and they do all the usual curries as well as running the Hottest Curry Challenge for those fool enough to take that challenge on. A great place for a fun group meal but not always the best Indian in the locale (although sometimes it can be — annoying).