New World

Like a number of restaurants I have been to, I fear New World has become a victim of its own success. I have been going there over the course of the last 10 years, but sadly have noticed a gradual, but noticeable, decline in the quality of food served there.

This afternoon, we went to New World as usual, but were perhaps a little bit later than usual (around 2.45pm). The "Char Siew Pau" was cold, the meat croquette very oily and soggy and some of the steamed dishes had very clearly been sitting in the "steamer" for way too long. Unfortunately, this has become an all too familiar experience and I for one, would not expect food of that quality to be served, especially if their Dim Sum menu is meant to be served till 6pm.

Everyone knows that you do not go to New World for Michelin star standard service, but the food has been steadily going downhill, and today's experience only added credence to what I was, sadly, already expecting, which is a true shame because this restaurant was once at the very top of its game -shame they couldn't keep it there.
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Dr. A. Paul
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 8
Sunday, September 16, 2007

I've been here a number of times for lunch and dinner and have never left feeling disappointed. Not only is the food rediculously cheap - considering the restaurants location, but the menu is extensive and the food is great.

The staff are very good with children and were willing to cater for the vegetarians in the group, despite the fact that we had a set menu.

I've heard it said that you can tell a cuisine is good if its own nationality are eating the food and the amount of Chinese people eating in the restaurant just goes to show that its pretty damn good.
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Nerissa
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Friday, August 17, 2007

The reviews are spot on. This is good value, fine food with a large menu. Service is discreet and efficient , but in my experience they have never been 'rude'.

It gets busy later in the evening - but I usually go earlier after meetings.

I recommend it.
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Mark R
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, August 05, 2007

You don't go to this restaurant for the service - most people know this!! You go for the food and the food only :) My husband and I go almost every weekend and will continue to do so, by far the best dim sum in Chinatown!
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Ebony
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 05, 2007

A group of friends and I visited 'New World' last Sunday at, perhaps, the most busiest of times. However, after only a wait of 5 minutes we were in and food was being offered to us continually by the attentive and helpful waitresses bringing around endless amounts of food on the trolley.

The food was brilliant - fresh, piping hot and constant. Each dish was enough for each of us to have a taste certainly enough to whet our appetites and keep us ordering more. The waitresses were patient, tea was constantly refilled and we left stuffed full and paying about £10 each for a massive feast.

I will definitely be back.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Having spent a weekend in London with my two teenage children we wanted somewhere pleasant to eat in Chinatown. I can honestly say that the New World did not live up to the mark. The staff were the rudest and most unpleasant servers I have ever had the misfortune to experience. The plates were 'thrown' down and the food dumped on the table witout a word. We had in total three people serve us and each one was as unpleasant as the last. Single words seemed to suffice and not one of them knew how to smile. The food was good and the prices reasonable but how on earth can anyone enjoy a meal when treated the way we were.?I was tempted not to leave a tip especially after being brought toffee bananas instead of apples. When I told the server she was unconcerned and still charged.

New World is definitely in dire need of an overhaul - not just the decor but the staff as well. We certainly wont be back.
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Mags
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, April 03, 2007

My husband and I went on Sat night and the restaurant was packed. It's busy night and we waited for more than 30mins to have the main course after we;d our starter. We order the shrimp dumplings dimsum for starter. I've to say it's better than some of the shrimp dumplings i'd in chinese restaurants in chinatown. The shrimp dumplings the New World served had two shrimps instead of just one, which most restaurants in Chinatown did. We ordered the Deep fried prawn with bread crums from the Chinese New Year menu. It's alright. Stir Fry Scallops with Pine Nuts was something new to me. It tasted ok. Though I think it could have been better. Stir Fry French Bean with minced Pork and fined Chilli was good as the textual of the stir fry French Bean was pretty authentic. I think the New World definitely served some authentic Cantonese food. The deco desperately needs overhauled. It's very functional Chinese restaurant which can definitly do better if they improve the deco. I'd avoid going there during weekend because the kitchen was really slow. I also realised the menu was a bit outdated and offers not many options as other restaurants do. My caucasian hubby thought the food was tasty enough. Overall, If you're looking for a filling meal, New World is an ok option.
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Tina Tin
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 26, 2007

Yes, it's shabby. Yes, you may have to wait for a table (especially on Sundays when the Chinese population of the suburbs are in town). Yes, you may have to share a table with another party.

But............

The food never disappoints and the value is superb. Forget the wine. Just order a couple of Tsingtao beers and wait for the next trolley to come round.

I never know how much the bill will be but I'm always amazed how cheap it is.

Don't all go there and spoil it for us that know about this gem.
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John Dubrey
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, November 21, 2006

I have been going here for the past 20 years and have yet to find a better place.

Yes the decor is faded and old, yes the staff can be slow and rude *but* the food and the value for money is something else. Having them bring the food around in trollies is a touch.

Have taken many different people here both from the uk and abroad and everyone has always enjoyed it.

Other modern places have tried to recreate the dim sum experience but they have either not been authentic enough or charge you stupid money (replacing good food for fancy surroundings). This place is definitely the place to go for down right good dim sum.
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hp5al - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, November 17, 2006

We came for dim sum during a busy (long qeues, so come early or afterwards) saturday lunch in november 2006, many chinese customer, a good sign.

food: definite winner was the suckling pig (8.50 pounds, 9/10) was very crispy and dilicious, dim sum such as turnip cake (2 pounds, 8/10), deep fried prawn dumplings could not live up to our expectation (3 pounds, 5/10), steam prawn -chives dumplings were good (2 pounds, 7/10). Service was ok. Overall recommended for dim sum: For two adults incl. tea we paid just approximately 25 pounds for delicious dim sum!
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tri
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, November 15, 2006