An Indian restaurant described in reviews as a “hidden gem” has received a one-star food hygiene rating.
The second lowest rating was handed to Zaika Valley on Victoria Road following an inspection by Swindon Borough Council on August 28.
The rating means “major improvement is necessary” for the restaurant which claims on its website that “it's important to get the simple basics right as the key to long-term success”.
A spokesperson for the restaurant, Biswas, said the main problem was with paperwork as well as some issues with separately storing cooked and raw food.
This is reflected in the council hygiene team's decision, which felt confidence in the management required the most improvement, followed by food hygiene and safety.
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Management confidence includes the "track record" of the company, the attitude of the present management towards hygiene, and their food safety technical knowledge and requires “major” improvement.
This means: “Varying record of compliance. Poor appreciation of hazards and control measures. No food safety management system.”
Food hygiene and safety includes food handling practices and procedures, and temperature control, and only requires improvement.
Biswas said the council had given them steps to improve, now completed before they returned within six weeks to rescore the establishment.
In the meantime, he provided reassurance that the otherwise highly-rated restaurant was open and safe to customers.
He said: “It is very safe. Do not worry about that - everything is clean, it’s just the paperwork.”
The 4.2 star ranked restaurant on Google is as popular with revellers from next door pub The Victoria looking for a takeaway curry as groups of sitdown diners.
One review praised the food for being hot. They said: “A hidden gem in Swindon. Never been before. Lamb kohlipuri was decent. Food for 12 of us all came pretty quickly and was hot. Orders were taken carefully and delivered very accurately. A good night.”
Another states: “My favourite Indian restaurant in Swindon. Food is very tasty. Well-decorated food. Good ambience and the staff were very polite.
“I can highly recommend this place for Indian cuisine.”
Another restaurant in Marlborough, Zaika Inn, shares the same name and signage style as the Swindon eatery, but is marked as permanently closed online.
Biswas said that he believed the two were owned by the same people and it was permanently closed.
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