Maxim

Big Matt has moved to Brentford or Hounslow by Thames as the locals refer to it so alas no more nights out in Ealing with its fine pubs and organic food village. However based on my first few forays under the road in the Sky Brentford has a lot to offer. Having said that we didn’t get that far this time and were out in Northfields. We started off at the Plough where the plan had been to eat but unfortunately it was packed in there so no chance of seat to eat. We conferred over a couple of beers as to what to do and Matt sensible chap that he is suggested we try Northfields Chinese Maxim’s. He had tried the takeaway from there before and pronounced it good so in we went.

Northfields seems to have a fair few nice restaurants and Maxim’s fits the bill, a nice reception area as you enter and then into a smart dining room. The restaurant was pretty busy with the locals of Northfield, despite a couple of tables being free we were shown to the rear room. I got the impression you had to earn the right to sit in the main room. However service swiftly followed with a couple of Tsing tao’s and some prawn crackers. All very nice and the rear room filled up giving it a bit more atmosphere. We ordered a selection of Chinese 101 and it was really very nice. Well cooked and tasty. It reminded me of meals at “Lam’s” on King st though this was much more grown up as sadly are Big Matt and I. The bill came to about £30 each which was fine in my book. This is a nice busy local chinese restaurant that deserves to do well. I am keen to return soon.
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david ginsberg - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, January 30, 2012

My husband and I live in Northfields and frequently dine out and appreciate good food. Maxim food is very well acceptable, the only problem about this restaurant is the service and the rude owner and staff. They have absolutely no customer service whatsoever. After waiting over 40 minutes for our food, my husband very politely asked the waiter about the delay. The waiting staff was very rude and my husband who is a very nice and patient english gentleman requested to speak to the manager, a lady who is the owner of the place. We were very much insulted by her and we felt forced to leave the restaurant as we dont like any sort of scene.

Few weeks later we were walking up to the tube station when we saw the same woman outside the restaurant, she again offended us. We have never experienced such experience and following a number of other bad reviews about the staff and manager rudeness I wonder how this place still keeps its doors opened! Do not go, really do not go.
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Danny Clark
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I went there tonight with my boyfriend and we had an amazing dinner. The service was very good, the staff all friendly. The food was delicious, especially the crispy shredded beef with chilli. I would highly recommend this restaurant.
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Sarah
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 04, 2011

Have been there a few times this being our 'local' but looking for an alternative- reception is very poor verging on discourteous. When requested a gentler and politer interaction we were told not to come if we did not like it. The place is busy - and seems to have lost its need to be customer friendly approach in favour of a high count turnover. A very disappointing experience on last two visits. Portions seem to have shrunk too. Staff who serve try but that only goes so far...
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Shareen Ahmed
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Monday, June 27, 2011

My family and I have been going to Maxims since the 80s and it's our all-time favourite neighbourhood restaurant. The mixed starters is a family fave (love the sesame prawn toast) and the chilli beef is really nice and not just crispy fat like it is at most Chinese restaurants. We even recommended it to our family friend a HEART FM D.J who is also now a regular at Maxim. He even got the manager of Maxim Golden Circle tickets to Live 8 because he's so fond of the manager/head waiter.

The only complaint I have is that the restaurant does not serve Dim Sum like other Chinese restaurants do but we always pick Maxim for dinner.

I was there before Christmas with work colleagues and the waiter kindly gave us a free bottle of wine which was much appreciated.

Oh and they also make a mean Irish coffee!!!
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Joanna
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, January 28, 2011

I've been going to Maxim's for the last few years and recently returned with friends visiting from Mississippi, USA after the Christmas holidays and we had an incredible meal at Maxims! Our friends (a married couple) are real foodies and wanted to try Chinese food in England and they were thoroughly impressed and stuffed themselves silly! The chilli beef was amazing as always and Maxims is renowned for its famous Crispy Duck pancakes and our American friends proclaimed it the best crispy duck they'd ever had and they've eaten at most of New York's Chinese restaurants. My personal fave was the yummy fried soft shell crab. OMG heaven!

I have dined at pretty much half the restaurants in London at least and Maxims has not disappointed. The staff were super friendly in our experience so really surprised by the remarks from the last reviewer below. Especially when I've raved to work colleagues how friendly and colourful the waiters are. They sing 'Happy Birthday' in the most hilarious style for customers and I always find them a really giggly, fun bunch. I wish I knew the name of the waiter who sings Happy Birthday in such a hilarious manner. I'm so tempted to film him and put him on You Tube because he really gives it his all! Such a sweetie. One of the waiters paid my disabled father extra attention and took such great care of him, it really moved me. It's the ONLY restaurant my disabled father will go to because they're so accommodating.

Our friends in the U.S are still e-mailing me from Mississippi telling me how much they enjoyed the food at Maxims and how they'll definitely recommend it to their friends who might be travelling to London.

Please try the banana fritters with ice cream and the Chinese pancakes! Divine!
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Dee Hale
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, January 27, 2011

Have been here a few times before and the food is very good, but the service manages to be obsequious and brusque at the same time. Went last night. We had the set menu...the food came out in absolutely record time, which suggests a quick deep fry or heating up job. The prawn dish had two stars by it, which I didn't pay much attention to, nothing on the page to say what the stars meant so I assumed 'spicy' or 'contains fish' or something. It was only when we asked if it was coming that a menu was whisked out and the tiny writing on the other side of the page was shown to us, explaining it was for three or more people. The thing is, the waiter started explaining before my wife had even got the question out, which leads me to believe this is a common problem - therefore they should either point it out when we ordered, or (in my opinion) they're being dishonest.

Secondly, "Dessert" was part of the set menu. It turns out this meant 'whatever we feel like serving you', not 'your choice of the similarly-priced desserts'. A sorry looking plate of barely-lukewarm apples in toffee were placed in front of us, not what I would've ordered, looked rubbish. The restaurant was a 1/4 full, so no excuse for cold food.

These sound like little niggles, but it took the shine off our meal and we'll probably go to the New Leaf in Ealing Broadway next time - the food is almost as nice, and they're significantly nicer. You can get away with service like this in Hong Kong or (at a push) Chinatown, but in a neighbourhood restaurant in Ealing, it's unacceptable.
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CM - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Went here last night after my mum recommending it (as she went here for a leaving do 5/6 yrs ago). We are all vegetarian and as such went in the hope that they could accomodate us.

Unfortunately the person appearing as though he was "running the show" was very rude. He paid very little attention to our needs and felt like he had to see to all of the tables himself. Why there were 4 other staff there was a mystery to me if they were not able to take a simple order. On a number of occassions, we requested the "Bossman", to take an order and he came over and whilst we were ordering disappeared to see to the bar or another table or to seat some recently arrived customers. Poor! very Poor! All this and I haven't even gotten to the food!

Someone needs to explain to these guys about the different vegetables this world has to offer. A vegetarian dish at this place is may up of french beans, cabbage, bean sprouts and peppers (occasionally there was some bamboo shoots). But usually the same veg in different proportions. The food was very bland, and very underseasoned. I will not be going back to this place again.

There was then the small issue of an "optional" service charge that I was not going to pay! No way Jose! Which we had to argue to get removed. Not sure which part of "Optional" the "Bossman" didn't understand.

To the management: Not going to be seeing you on Ramsay's Best restaurants any time soon... Although you may be on Ramseys Kitchen Knightmares if he starts a UK one!

To the chef: Taste your food, then you will realise that it is tasteless. Chewing paper has more taste than some of the food on offer. Maybe the meat dishes are a treat but for the veggies this place is one to miss.

Alternatives: Hap Lee in Norbury (South West London) or Good Earth, Knightsbridge are much better alternatives.
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1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Monday, October 04, 2010

I have been using Maxim's for about 15 years - it is very consistent. The food is excellent for a "neighbourhood Chinese" and would put many in central london to shame.

By a distance, it is the best Chinese in the local area i.e. before you get to Queensway.

Service is functional rather than welcoming, however it is not meant to be a destination restaurant .

It is pricey but worth it for the quality of the food - there are so many mediocre Chinese restaurants this is not one.
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mcgregor
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Friday, August 06, 2010

Another excellent meal here on Saturday - celebrating New Year and Valentine's Day. Very good food, and swift friendly service. Maxim's crispy duck is fabulous!
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OrangeTreeLover - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Sunday, February 14, 2010