Reviews for Chez Mumtaj Restaurant

Over rated

Visited previously, lacklustre menu and tries to be something it clearly isn't [Jan 12]

This place deserves to be busier!

We've eaten twice at Chez Mumtaj, the food is outstanding and the service excellent. I'm glad to say it was much busier this time, so there was more of an atmosphere - but it's so good, I'm just surprised it's not busier. The a la carte menu is extensive, and full of so many wonderful treats, with an Indian twist, you need extra time to make your choice - and if you can't choose - I fully recommend the taster menu! All in all a wonderful evening, and we will definately return. [Apr 10]

Must be the best food in St Albans...

Oh how I wish I could allocate that fifth star to the magnificent Chez Mumtaj. The A La Carte menu is stunning, if a little light on vegetarian options for The Brunette, and the execution is worthy of the best restaurants in London. I will, given half a chance, go again and again to work my way through that fabulous menu, which has something for everyone - sure, regional Indian and south-east Asian dishes appear, and they are beautifully prepared - but the European-Asian fusion influences are outstanding. The teeniest of criticisms would be that there seemed to be a mismatch between the excellence of the kitchen and the preparedness of the front-of-house staff, who were charming but not as organised as they should be. Nevertheless, I unhesitatingly recommend Chez Mumtaj and will be hurrying back. [Jun 09]

Good food ... terrible service

The food at the Mumtaj was very good, but the service was so bad that we won't go back. We booked a table for 8:30 for three of us. When we arrived we were given a table in the bar, so we ordered cocktails - which arrived individually over the space of the next half hour. At 9:15 we were shown to our table (the restaurant wasn't full - we could have gone to the table at 8:30 - it's just a ploy to get people to buy cocktails). We were given one menu between us. I asked for more menus, but was told I'd have to wait as they were busy (remember - the place wasn't full). Finally, we ordered. Our starters arrived at 10pm (1 1/2 hours after our booking!) and our mains at 10:45. We asked for the bill at 11:20 - when it hadn't arrived by 11:30 we got up and paid on our way out. The staff were also argumentative - over the lack of menus and even over whether a mint 'julep' was a mint 'julep' - the waiter insisted it was a mint juliet! I did post a review on TopTable but it didn't appear (perhaps only good reviews appear there!). [Jun 09]

very special

This place is nominated for best restaurant in St Albans this year (2009), and it's easy to see why. You may not have noticed its unpreposessing entrance, but once cocooned inside, you will immediately sense Chez Mumtaj's confidence in its offer. We could have chosen just about anything on the menu - it all looked tasty, and certainly not standard Asian fare. Eventually we settled on duck samosa and king prawn tartlet for starters, and seafood biriani and duck for main courses. All food was fantastic - subtle flavours, beautifully presented, and the service was friendly and attentive. It's a bit pricier than your average restaurant, but definitely worth it. We're already trying to work out a special occasion to give us the excuse to go again.  [Jun 09]

Best restaurant in Town

Luxury is the word from the moment you walk through the doors of Chez Mumtaj. Put all ideas of 'curry houses' out of your mind and think 'Michelin stars' instead. We ordered from the more expensive a la carte menu, but they do offer a cheaper menu Sunday to Thursday. We started with duck samosas and scallops with a saffron foam which were delicious. Mains were a whole poussin stuffed with all manner of interesting things and guinea fowl in a thai massaman sauce. It really is a blend of french cuisine and subtle asian influences and pound for pound is by far the best restaurant that St Albans has to offer. It's not cheap but made for an unforgettable dining experience. [May 09]