Namji Xscape

Namji Xscape Review - January 2025 We hadn’t visited Namji in Xscape since 2021, and we were hopeful that we wouldn’t have the same experience we had last year in the original Namji in Wolverton. The Xscape is always very busy as it has the mini golf, escape room, skiing, and cinema as well as various restaurants, and this was reflected in trying to park! Some of the group gathered in the Moon Under Wetherspoons pub opposite the restaurant and enjoyed the price perks that Wetherspoons offers for its beers in particular. Others met at the restaurant. The first thing to make people aware of is the restaurant is Bring Your Own Booze. Unlike other BYOB restaurants there is no off licence near by so you will have to bring your tipple with you (and not forget like some of our members who shall not be named, Lionel!) The second thing of note was that it was cold inside the restaurant and also not very busy. Other eateries in the Xscape were considerably busier. This could be to do with the BYOB policy or it could be the fact that the menu was expensive even compared to other in town Indian restaurants such as Maaya. Seven of us were seated on a long table. We do really like round tables for this amount of people as it’s easier to talk to everyone. Alas, not many restaurants have these, and this was no exception. The restaurant was modernly decorated with Indian artefacts but the table and chair arrangement gave it the appearance of a canteen. The menu had definitely changed since our last visit and was vastly different from the Wolverton menu. In fact, the menu was extensive with a mixture of fish, lamb, chicken and veggie dishes. The youthful wait staff were very attentive and the popadums were brought promptly as were our orders for starters. The pops were nice and crisp, but there were only 3 dips and they were in small pots. We have got quite used to 5 or more dips in nice deep pots! The starters – although all pretty much in the £8-£9 bracket, were brought and were wonderfully heat hot, and in general they got a good review: the fish pakora in particular seemed to be a favourite. Ordering main courses you had a choice of mild, medium, hot or very hot which cleared up the lack of spice indication on the menu. When the mains arrived they were again very heat hot and the spice choices seemed to be good! Again, the general view was good for mains – although a couple of dishes seemed to be overly salty. Rice and breads were fairly average and the veggie side dishes were quite nice – including the dancing mushrooms and daal makhani, although the onion bhajees were a little disappointing. All in all we went home relatively satisfied although a bit disappointed about the cost, particularly as you had to BYOB. Graeme