ed
sorry to say very disappointed,being an indian i know what indian food tastes like...this is no where close to it....

John
I've just enjoyed another cracking meal. My only complaint is that despite repeated attempts at grilling Nirmal for the recipe, I am yet to master the green coconut chutney! I got close tonight but she conveniently disappeared! Anyhow... The food here cannot be faulted. I had a very tender lamb dish (off the specials) which had clearly been marinated in a classic masala with clove, cinnamon etc... Instead of the rice we had bulghar wheat - less bloating after lager - and a very tasty garlic naan. I've read the negative comments marked here and cannot understand them. Every time I've eaten here the food has been authentic, individual, expertly prepared and the service (particularly by Nirmal herself) has been truely outstanding. The comments I have read here seem to represent people who are content with a Chicken Tikka Massala or similar. To be frank, the second Nirmals panders to their requests is the instand I stop going!

Katie
Barely authentic, certainly overpriced.

DpM
I've eaten here many a time - I used to work v. close and I used to think Nirmal's was great... and the atmosphere kinda humourous - however, it does grate after a while; the constant suggestions and the pushiness - people might say it doesn't happen - but I'm sorry to say it really does. It's not just to certain people either... I remember her telling me I ate curries like an Indian once... before trying to force me to scoff some aubergine curry... the food quality is fine though. I think this is the kind of place that many a student will take their visiting family... to have the kind of experience that is guaranteed to be safe and non-eventful. I think the dishes are all designed to be non-agressive, which is fine... just don't expect a challenge... unless it is from old Nirmal of course... who adds that bit of extra character to the place at least. Oh, and there are some nice booths at the back where you can canoodle with someone special if you like...

Chris Campbell
"no Kingfisher!" Who cares? Nirmals is an excellent restaurant and deserves every positive review it gets. I can also safley say that not once has Nirmal forced a meal upon me. 21/06/05

Michelle Fox, Sheffield
Nirmals is a truly amazing culinary experience, and Nirmal herself is a treasure! Those who complain about her 'pushiness' are obviously to wussy to simply say 'no thanks', but I for one am grateful that she proffers her knowledge and advice, and her selections have never failed to impress! It seems that some of the people who've commented here wouldn't recognise a traditional, high quality Indian dish if it was wearing a sari! Keep up the excellent work Nirmal! 05/05/05

Ian Dale
Was interested to read the review of Nirmals by Mamta Gupta. Are you sure you are indian?. Yes you must be as you share the same second name as Nirmal Gupta.

IAN DALE
Went again to Nirmals (just to see if it was any different to last time). The worst curry I have ever had in my life. How long have they been serving Japanese sticky rice. It would hve made great wallpaper paste. NEVER, NEVER AGAIN. How this establishment gets in the Good curry guide is beyond me.

Kevin
After visiting Nirmal's for a company meal out we unanimously agreed never to go again. Mrs. N. was insisting we order certain dishes even though we never asked for any recomendations. Nirmals is high priced but offers an average meal with pushy service. There are many, many better curry houses for the money in sheffield.

Cate
The best thing Nirmals has going for it is that people who eat Fries dont go there! A good quality Indian restaurant. A bit different and better than most Indians in the town centre. Good service too. Yes, N does like to sell you more dishes but she's running a business and you _can_ say "no". If you want Biryani and chips washed down with lager there's a couple of curry houses further down West St which might be more to your liking.

Angela Bowler
Nirmals is one of the best places to eat in Sheffield and it is the best Indian for miles around.Those people who say the food is tasteless must have had their taste buds ruined in the cheaper establishments !!! Go along and try it for yourself. Sheffield is not exactly full of quality dining experiences so what are you waiting for ?

Robert Edge
Nirmals is a good restaurant, and I think that most of the people who have written in with their comments have no idea about what good indian food actually is.

Nic from Sheffield
Have to agree with the majority again i'm afraid... Nirmal is quality for comedy value - especially when you've had a few too many shandy's and find everything funny. Her "pushyness" isn't really a problem, it's the food which needs sorting out. The mushroom rice I ordered was like something you'd get from one of those instant microwave sachets - and as for the curry... well it wasn't the taste sensation I was expecting. Every dish we ordered (6) was exactly the same, even Nirmal couldn't tell them apart - she just plonked them infront of everyone and muttered something completed inaudible. If you want a proper curry, try Ayesha's on Ecc Road. The service there is incredible, the waiters are hardly noticeable until you need them (pet hate = waiters standing over you waiting for you to finish eating). The food is fantastic, and although pricey - a lot cheaper than Nirmals. Overall comment - Nirmal has found a little earner in the market: Extortionate pricing for cheap bland food.

Tim in Sheffield
I clicked on this review because I thought the 4 star rating was unfair - it should have 5 however I do agree it's not a cheap restaurant but I have never found Mrs Nirmal to be pushy. This is my favourite Indian restaurant without a doubt and the food is *always* excellent. I recommend the lamb massalla.

Brendan Smith
Have only been there once, and was fortunate enough not to encounter the eponymous Mrs Nirmal. However the food was bland and certainly nothing special. I wouldn't go there again, there are plenty of better places.

David from Sheffield
Having been to Nirmals once all I can say is never again. The food is both very expensive & very poor quality. Nirmal does herself no favours by constantly getting in the way of the diners & 'insisting' that they buy food that they don't want...is it a coincidence that it just happens to be the most expensive on the menu?

Kate
Some many reviewers can't be wrong...

Rebecca from Sheffield
Nirmals: overpriced and overrated. Oh yes, some of the dishes ARE lovely. I don't dispute it. But these are my 3 experiences in a nutshell: 1st time: overawed by the grandiose Mrs N, agreed to all her suggestions, and were charged full main meal price for each and every side dish: cost £65 (for 2, only 2 drinks each). Second time: Paid less attention to her advice. Waiter spilled my companions pint over him. Had to ask for another. Was charged for both on the bill. 3rd time: Used a Walkers crisps voucher (1 free main meal) to try to bring cost down. Cost still £28. For 2. Main meal was barely edible; frozen pices of fish tossed in curry powder fried and chucked on a bed of iceberg. Rice = £2.50. Chapati = £2.50 each. DO NOT waste your time and money. You want a good curry in Sheffield? Go to the Bilash takeaway, or the Clay Oven, or Anbar on Eccy Road.

Andy
The review is quite fair. I've eaten at Nirmal's a few times, and the food is excellent. The one thing that really spoils it is the proprietress. She has the unfortunate habit of standing over your table as you eat, constantly trying to sell you more side-dishes (without telling you the price!). She even had the temerity to instruct me on how to eat a naan! Unbelievable. Of course, Nirmal's fully deserves it's reputation for exorbitant prices. She should accept that they're no longer an elite establishment, just one more curry house amongst many, lower her prices and stop harrassing her [aying customers.

Helen
I have to say the review was a fair reflection of my own personal experience. I've only been the once (a few days ago) but I went with a friend who used to go regularly a number of years back. We were not disappointed. The thing about Nirmal herself is you either like her style or you don't, no half measures I guess. My companions and I are not the sort to be forced into anything and after deciding *ourselves* on a few items on the menu we really wanted we let Nirmal suggest what other dishes would compliment this. To me this is a good thing because you get to try stuff you may not otherwise think of. We had a couple of poppadums each with a totally delicious pickle tray containg stuff I certainly hadn't tried before and had more of a home made feel than dolloped out of a Sharwoods jar like you get in some places. We skipped starters to make way for the puds, my friend's recommendation On to the main course, two of our party in particular love paneer so there ;-). We chose some items we definately wanted and let Nirmal suggest the rest. Totally lushious. Puds to die for and I don't normally do puds in Indian restaurants because it's generally a scoop of mediocre icecream or something prepacked and horrible. Anyway these puds were definately worth leaving room for, kulfi from heaven and the other two puds not far behind. Nice to see sugar coated fennel seeds and tradional Indian sweetmeats served with the coffee too. I'd got used to poor imitations of After Eights at other establishments. Well Nirmal is not quite Gordon Ramsey in character (though I bet he'd behave in her presence) but her quirkiness and character adds to the whole experience. Great night out

Fred
Nirmal's is a very good curry house. Recently asked for a hot dish, confirmed to want it Vindaloo hot, and so it came. Lovely, nice and hot, not just macho style chillies. This is a good place to eat Indian, and if you lack the confidence to say to no to her occasional recommendations or the overprized specials board, you probably ought to go to the local chipshop instead. Fred

Nick
Had to LOL at the guy who went to an Indian and ordered fries. I go to Nirmals a lot and I love it. Yes, it is a bit expensive but you are paying for quality ingredients. Mrs Nirmal is just trying to get customers to try something a bit more adventurous than they would usually have when she suggests something. If you want a cheap Chicken Tikka Masala this is not the place for you, try Yates's Wine Lodge perhaps ?

dav Thomas
It's always amusing then a bill arrives at the end of your meal and you all look at each other in complete amazment - 'how much' oyu all cry,'why' you shout ' well I've got another tenner' someone whimpers. What's with all the cheese, I mean, I like paneer, but not in everything and not when it costs the earth. The foods generally good enough, the service is fine but you better save up your pocket money! And don't pay in small change - we had to do it last time we went because we didn;t have enough notes between us to service the bill - Ms Nirmal waas not happy!

L M Sandham
Have to agree with the majority. Over rated and over priced. Very disappointing.

Ian Dale
I have not been to Nirmals for the the last 5 years. The last time I went the food was not as good as my local take away, which is unusual because restaurants tend to be better than the local curry house. Has Mrs Gupta still got the old Specials Board ?. In my opinion this restaurant is over rated and over priced.

Bev
I'd heard a lot about Nirmals but was a bit disappointed - the food was OK though many of the dishes (we shared amongst six of us) tasted quite similar. The ambiance was less than fantastic - right next to the ladies' toilet and with a view of a frig. The service was somewhat assertive.

Jim Plant
Sounds like you lot wouldnt know a good curry if it jumped up and stung you on the backside. Nirmals is without doubt the best Indian Restaurant in Yorkshire. It appears the nearest thing some people get to cheese in curry is whan they stick cheese onto curried beans on toast! The paneer here is sublime - maybe some people just wanted a vindaloo the strength of paintstripper and enough Kingfisher to put out the flames of Hades!! Give Mrs N a break - she's no spring chicken you know but she acts like it!! Isnt it part of the fun when she barges into your table's conversation and gets you to help her serve the feast!! Lighten up - this place is golddust with amazing food and a crackin atmosphere to boot!