Restaurant Name: Maxim's
Type of Food: Chinese
Average Price Per Person: £20 - £25 excluding alcohol
Website: n/a
Branch Visited:153-155 Northfield Avenue, London, W1
Review: A pleasant discovery. Having lived in Ealing for over 5 years, I have passed this restaurant numerous times but never ventured in as it didn't really excite me. From the outside the restaurant doesn't look all that inviting. After several recommendations from friends, I decided to give it a go. This place is also rated by Alan Yau, the founder of Hakkasan and Yautcha.
As you walk in, you're struck by how simple and clean the decor is, there is nothing tacky or cliche about this place.
The service is impeccable and quite unexpected from a London Chinese resturant, there is no 'Wong Kee' - esque (moody looking staff, dishes thrown on to tables) service here! The staff are very friendly and well mannered and managed by an entertaining manager who likes wearing colourful neckties.
Dishes I would recommend trying: for starters, the crispy duck, sesame prawn on toast and the hot and sour soup. For mains, the prawns in chilli sauce and the beef in oyster sauce are a must try. Personally, I find their starters excellent and the mains could be better but still good.
Make sure you make a reservation before coming here as they are always busy.
Rating (Out of 10)
Atmosphere: 10/10 Warm and friendly.
Service: 10/10 As above, well mannered staff etc. The speed of the service is typical of a chinese restaurant; quick!
Food: 8/10 Food is always good and I've never been disappointed.
Quality to Price: 8/10 Well priced for London.
Final Rating: 9/10 The food and service never disappoints. Good for both meals for 2 or group dinners.
Showing posts with label Chinese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese. Show all posts
Saturday, 24 March 2007
Maxim's
Hakkasan
Restaurant Name: Hakkasan
Type of Food: Stylish High Class Chinese Cuisine
Average price per person: From £50 to £100 (excluding alcohol). Seafood and special dishes are very expensive so your bill will vary quite dramatically.
Website: n/a (they want to keep the place like a gem waiting to be unearthed and rely on word of mouth rather than heavy publicity)
Address: 8 Hanway Place, LONDON, W1T 1HD
Review: ‘Created by Alan Yau, also behind the Wagamama Japanese restaurant chain and Yauatcha, Hakkasan was rewarded by a Michelin Star in 2003. It's also regularly listed in the Top 50 best restaurants in the world each year. The renowned, multi-million pound interior was designed by Jonas Carp of Habitat Design. The bar has been designed by the mercurial Christian Liaigre who is responsible for the interior design in the private homes of both Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld’.
With such strong credentials, it was with great anticipation that I decided to sample Hakkasan's Stylish High Class Chinese Cuisine. I must say, although our bill was pretty high for 2 (and we didn’t have any wine or alcoholic drinks), the quality of the food is top notch. Expect a modern style of Chinese cuisine, a special atmosphere, top class service and a remarkable venue.
Rating (Out of 10)
Atmosphere: 9/10: Very stylish design and decor, dark lighting, modern look and feel. A really good place to go to for a romantic meal, it feels very exclusive. Make sure you book your table two weeks before you go, especially if you intend to visit it on a weekend. This place is packed…
Service: 9/10: You're greeted by someone at the door, you then go down the stairs and enter a reception area where someone else takes you to your table. The service itself is fast and discreet. The waiters/waitresses are efficient without being intrusive. Top class…
Food: 9/10: Although not authentic, the food is very tasty and you can't deny that they use very fresh ingredients. I suggest you order the dim sum assortment as a starter, they are so fresh (Ping Pong taste like frozen ones in comparison). The menu also include great seafood dishes but be prepared to pay a pretty high fee for them!
Quality to Price: 7/10: Pricey... you're paying for the top quality of the ingredients, the venue itself and the faultless service. However, if I had to base my judgment solely on food, then I would say dishes are over priced for what they really are.
Final Rating: 9/10: If you're looking for authentic Chinese food, then go somewhere else. However, if you're looking for a unforgettable dining experience with top quality food, impeccable service, an very exclusive atmosphere and an immaculate decoration, Hakkasan must be at the top of your list, it is a beautiful combination of classic and contemporary style and colour. I wouldn’t go there on a regular basis but if you want to take someone on a romantic meal then go for it, you won’t be disappointed and you guest won't be either... especially if you pay the bill...!
Type of Food: Stylish High Class Chinese Cuisine
Average price per person: From £50 to £100 (excluding alcohol). Seafood and special dishes are very expensive so your bill will vary quite dramatically.
Website: n/a (they want to keep the place like a gem waiting to be unearthed and rely on word of mouth rather than heavy publicity)
Address: 8 Hanway Place, LONDON, W1T 1HD
Review: ‘Created by Alan Yau, also behind the Wagamama Japanese restaurant chain and Yauatcha, Hakkasan was rewarded by a Michelin Star in 2003. It's also regularly listed in the Top 50 best restaurants in the world each year. The renowned, multi-million pound interior was designed by Jonas Carp of Habitat Design. The bar has been designed by the mercurial Christian Liaigre who is responsible for the interior design in the private homes of both Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld’.
With such strong credentials, it was with great anticipation that I decided to sample Hakkasan's Stylish High Class Chinese Cuisine. I must say, although our bill was pretty high for 2 (and we didn’t have any wine or alcoholic drinks), the quality of the food is top notch. Expect a modern style of Chinese cuisine, a special atmosphere, top class service and a remarkable venue.
Rating (Out of 10)
Atmosphere: 9/10: Very stylish design and decor, dark lighting, modern look and feel. A really good place to go to for a romantic meal, it feels very exclusive. Make sure you book your table two weeks before you go, especially if you intend to visit it on a weekend. This place is packed…
Service: 9/10: You're greeted by someone at the door, you then go down the stairs and enter a reception area where someone else takes you to your table. The service itself is fast and discreet. The waiters/waitresses are efficient without being intrusive. Top class…
Food: 9/10: Although not authentic, the food is very tasty and you can't deny that they use very fresh ingredients. I suggest you order the dim sum assortment as a starter, they are so fresh (Ping Pong taste like frozen ones in comparison). The menu also include great seafood dishes but be prepared to pay a pretty high fee for them!
Quality to Price: 7/10: Pricey... you're paying for the top quality of the ingredients, the venue itself and the faultless service. However, if I had to base my judgment solely on food, then I would say dishes are over priced for what they really are.
Final Rating: 9/10: If you're looking for authentic Chinese food, then go somewhere else. However, if you're looking for a unforgettable dining experience with top quality food, impeccable service, an very exclusive atmosphere and an immaculate decoration, Hakkasan must be at the top of your list, it is a beautiful combination of classic and contemporary style and colour. I wouldn’t go there on a regular basis but if you want to take someone on a romantic meal then go for it, you won’t be disappointed and you guest won't be either... especially if you pay the bill...!
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