Diana Downtown

Dining with Grandma - it's a good thing! :)

Decided to take my grandma out for dinner and thought that the Diana would provide enough variety to keep us all happy (grandma as well as our young children). We had an earlier reservation, but even as the restaurant got busier, the service was good and attentive. Our girls decided on the cheesy pasta (kids option). It came super quick and was served at an appropriate temperature for them to dig in immediately. So many restaurants place piping hot food in front of kids. I also ordered a side of steamed broccoli for the girls. While my kids gobbled it up, my only suggestion is that they work on it a bit. Seemed a little bit like pasta in milk with shredded cheese. But, as I said, my kids gobbled it up. I had calamari and a greek salad (both appetizers), my husband had the lamb medallions, grandma had the halibut and her partner had the vegetable pasta. Everyone enjoyed their meals. The Diana offers an amazing variety (greek salad, pasta, steak, curries, etc) and we continue to go there as our default Guelph restaurant. In fact, we will be going back there for breakfast tomorrow morning with more family! Their chai is delicious! :)

WHAT A JOKE!!

What a joke this place has become!! I have been in the three times in the last couple months with friends who dragged me there. My lamb curry had enough oil in it to fill a deep fryer, the next visit I tried a bean curry which was as thick as cement and again had oil floating on top of it, and the final time I thought ok I will try the short rib, OMG! it was disgusting, my potato's were florescent yellow, the veg was an oily medley that was seasoned with lord knows what, and the rib itself was covered in the worst sauce I have ever had and in no way did it match the weird bbq flavor it had, and it was the size of my forearm, lol. This place has fallen from grace. again WHAT A JOKE!!

It's not the same.

I've been going to the Diana Downtown for many years, and there was a time when it was easily my favourite restaurant in Guelph. Breakfasts were always good on the weekend, and I could count on a good curry for dinner. In the past several years the Restaurant has undergone a significant renovation which has given it a very bold red colour scheme, but in my opinion, removed a lot of the charm it used to have. This new renovation also contributes to one of its biggest issues now: Noise. The ceilings were cleared away, and while it seems infinitely larger, voices and music seem amplified and it can be really hard to hear your companions. The menu has changed as well. It's much more narrowly focused now, with a greater emphasis on the indian cuisine. It's also more expensive. In our last visit, we ordered what we usually order - samosas as an appetizer and Curry for dinner. I usually order the Meat Thali plate, which I found has been replaced on the menu with a simple Thali dish that includes any two Curries, some rice, Naan, raita, and Daal. Gone is the Vegetable Thali - which was the same as the meat, only with one veggie currie instead of two. The vegetable samosa's are good, but not a traditional samosa. Their regularity reeks of an off-the-shelf frozen samosa, not home made, but I find them tasty anyway. The Naan bread was typically bad - it's clearly store bought pita bread fried in oil. The main course - the curries - continues to disappoint with each visit. My wife's Paneer-based curry contained more oil than paneer. It was also burned to the bottom of the metal pot. My combination of lamb-based and potato-based curries were acceptable, but not fantastic. It's heartbreaking - this is what they used to be good at. Drinks aren't cheap, but my mango lassi was good. The service? Don't be in a hurry. Not all of the staff really seem to care. Some are good. I wonder if that's because the owners haven't been around nearly as much as of late. Our service wasn't exceptional as we had to wait some time for the bill, but it wasn't bad enough to start thinking about reducing the tip. Overall, this is the review of a frequent visitor to the Diana (easily 10 - 20 times a year for 13+ years) that is seriously thinking of not going back. It's not the same, and there is better Indian cuisine in the area now.

great atmosphere, good value

Food is good, lots of choices for people that do not necessarily like indian cuisine. Excellent flavours, consistently good food and if something is not quite to your liking they will amend this cheerfully and immediately. An excellent choice

Consistently amazing.

One of things we like about the Diana is its consistency -- on all the bases. We go once in a while, sometimes for a weekend breakfast, sometimes for dinner. It can vary quite a bit in terms of the time that passes between our visits, but whether it is a week or a month or longer, we know what to expect when we walk in, and that's why we choose it. And regardless of the time between visits, the staff remember us. Tip: The young men they've hired as servers are extraordinary -- for a sure-fire visit at the Diana, seek them out.

Service.....not so much!!

Saturday night's are always busy....so I phoned Wednesday afternoon for a reservation. No problem, they said - happy to accommodate. If only they had accommodated us!! The. service. was. awful. Food was very good but it took a little over an hour to get it and when the food did arrive, the meals did not come out together (which is just awful....IMO) There was a large table of 16 that had just ordered before us...so we were told...and the place was packed...but was this a surprise to them??!! Unless all of these groups just walked in off the street with no reservations, I just don't understand why they did not plan ahead and staff up for a Saturday night? Our waitress....instead of quickly apologizing for the delay and offering us drinks - virtually abandoned us.....only after we asked as to the whereabouts did she apologize and inform the Manager of our displeasure. To his credit, the manger did come out - but only after 3 of the meals had come, followed a little later by 2...and then the last meal was served, no word of a lie, about 15 minutes later. It really left us with a bad impression of this place. The Manager discounted the one late meal and offered us free desserts...but you know...we were done with this place by then. This situation could have been handled much much better...and if the servers/manager are reading this - please, don't abandon a table when there are kitchen issues!! Earlier communication would have gone a long way to keeping us happy..... OK - end of complaining as the food was good and we will go again, but this place isn't cheap and we were so disappointed.....so beware on busy Saturday nights.

Service, what service?

On arrival, with reservations, we were ignored for about five minutes while people without reservations were accommodated. After ordering, we waited 45 minutes before we saw our appetizers - despite speaking with the waiter and two of the restaurant owners to ask for our food. We watched people who came in after us eat their food and leave before we saw our food. Main courses were disappointing - half-cooked salmon for me and overcooked and tasteless chicken for my spouse. Then it took forever to get the bill so we could leave. Decor is pretentious in relation to the quality of the food and service. Drinks are way too expensive. They should go back to the original Greek restaurant that was here 25 years ago. We will never come back after this experience.

Seriously disappointed.

As a huge lover of restaurants, it's a wonder that it took me 6-7 years to finally try Diana's. I had high hopes, as I had heard good things. Aside from the bizarre entrance/bar/kitchen/prep area, the dining room is quite nice. Very dramatic decor, exposed stone walls and wood floors. At this point I was fairly impressed and anxious to try the food. Our server wreaked of alcohol and seemed to have problems remembering our order, asking us repeatedly. I ordered the butter chicken, having known their reputation for good Indian food. When the food arrived, I was disappointed immediately. I had chosen naan (rather than rice) and what arrived was a pita that had been warmed - not a good start! The butter chicken itself was extremely salty with a very faint curry flavour. I am a huge fan of Indian foods and this was far from authentic. My companion complained that the soup they had ordered (the soup of the day, cream of asparagus and spinach) was also extremely salty and it looked as if it had curdled. Needless to say, most of this bowl was left behind as well. We chose not to cause a scene and eat what we could tolerate. As I was paying, I was asked how the meal was. I was honest and calm with the server (perhaps owner) who thanked me for my feedback and went on to tell me that they had won awards for their butter chicken and then proceeded to charge me for the entire meal. She was less than apologetic or genuinely interested in my feedback. I will never return!

great!!

This place is amazing on so many levels. In a large party there are usually so many conflicting tastes that people are lookingfor. At this restaurant you can order from so many different flavours from different countries. One person can eat Indian, another Italian, another Greek. This place has no doubt the best samosas I have ever eaten. Usually, at other places, they have too much pastry, or the inside is all just mashed together, but here the samosas are flaky, and consist of a nice blend of the right flavours and to top it off the sauce that no one knows how to say adds an extra kick of spice. I recomend that you go and then go again and again because it is the best restaurant in Guelph.

Five of us went to the Diana last weekend. It was our first time there in a LONG time. Boy, how things have changed. Our food was excellent, albeit not cheap. The atmosphere was really nice, very upscale. The service was attentive and prompt and the server gave us separate bills with no attitude. Three out of the five of us did not have Indian food...salmon, chicken souvlaki and seafood linguine special...and it was excellent. The serving sizes were more than adequate..although the salmon + rice + veggie was much smaller, portion size, than any of the other meals. We did not have dessert or coffee so we can't comment on that. We enjoyed it!! If you are looking for a bit of an upscale place...

Cheez-whiz curry, i kid you not. After avoiding Diana's for awhile we tried again. The paneer curry was for sure made with a Cheez-whiz type base. The tandori chicken was boring, overcoloured with red#2, nowhere near as good as what we make at home. The Katchumber tasted like it was made by someone who hadn't the faintest idea of what Indian food is. Really, it all tasted like bagged, pre-cut portions of mass produced food. Dreadful.

I remember Diana's when it was the grottiest...

I remember Diana's when it was the grottiest diner that was one of the only places open downtown on a Sunday. But when I went back a few years ago, and found out what it was now, it was hard to remember that grotty diner! Diana's is a favourite for lunch in my office, and the last time we went was probably the best. I've developed a pretty wicked addiction to their tempura prawns, and was quite upset to not find them on the lunch menu. I thought they were gone, but the server explained that they still existed, but were a dinner item. I was ready to just order the house salad, my lunch standby, but then our wonderful waiter had the kitchen do the prawns for me anyway! The food is awesome, but it's the service that really makes this place stand out.

Best butter chicken i have ever had - i graduated...

Best butter chicken i have ever had - i graduated from the university of guelph 4 years ago and come back all the time just to come to diana's.

This is my third visit and last unfortunately...

This is my third visit and last unfortunately. I ordered a veggie goat cheese wrap that came with a mixed green salad. I also had a side of basmati rice. I ate there the first time on the previous Sunday for breakfast and the meal was excellent. Had a lunch take out that was great as well. Today I got hair in my food which is totally disgusting and no excuse for in my books nowadays. And not just one either. One that was in my bite of food and the other well into wrap. I don't need to go any further on this detail. Called them and let them know about my meal and they asked if I would like another one. I told them I had completely lost my appetite. Now I have a credit with them I will never use. Great customer service. I would have liked my money back but that doesn't seem to ever happen nowadays. NOT HAPPY!

This is a pretty good place to eat at different...

This is a pretty good place to eat at different times. Go for breakfast and you can have the standard Canadian style with eggs, potatoes, bacon, coffee, really fast and good price. Good lunches as well with some nice Indian items. And dinner is a bit pricey now, but you get quality and enough food. I had tandoori chicken and it was great, samosas outstanding. Good wine, good selection of different food (Canadian & Indian), pretty good service, nice clean place, music maybe a bit too loud though. I read a couple reviews about parking near the restaurant. Anyone who lives in Guelph knows it's almost impossible to park on Wyndham during business hours. Baker lot is the way to go, and use the walkway - takes 5 minutes.

I am writing this review based on an experience...

I am writing this review based on an experience from about 2 years ago (so keep this in mind). I went to this restaurant with a friend I was visiting in Guelph and I REALLY enjoyed it. It was one of my first Indian food experiences. Since visiting this restaurant and trying the Butter Paneer Masala, I have had an unhealthy obsession with it! (I make it at home with homemade paneer now) I remember the service as being very friendly possibly a little too attentive. The atmosphere was very nice, I felt a little under-dressed when I went there actually. Would definitely recommend this restaurant to others.

Droped in at lunch to pick up some sumosas and...

Droped in at lunch to pick up some sumosas and they were so good I decided to take my wife for dinner. What a great place and Wow! the food is so fantastic. The only regret is I hadn't visited this place sooner. Can't wait to go back.

My husband and I love Diana's. This is our...

My husband and I love Diana's. This is our favourite restaurant in Guelph and we always have a great time every time. We love the Butter Chicken, and my husband loves the appetizers, especially the calamari and the samosas. I like it because I can order a bottle of wine and whatever I don't drink I just take home, saves me about $8 because you can get a whole bottle for $24 or buy a glass for $8. Service is great, and even though parking isn't the best, just park in Baker street and walk across to have a great night! We will definitely be back!

It took us an hour to find a parking space closer...

It took us an hour to find a parking space closer to the restaurant. We were lucky to not to have wait for the seats. Service and atmosphere were not bad. First came Pakoras which were not bad, a bit mushy not real crispy. Salmon was perfect but Vegetable Thali was terrible, nan bread was not freshly made. We were real surprised to see the variety of selections on menu but would never go there for an indian meal.

Awesome!

Went here for my birthday one year and the service/food was awesome! There's a mix of dishes on the menu which is a little odd, but works for groups that have different ppl with different tastes. We have done take out at Diana's many times and they never fail to impress. Delicious food!