Phoenix Palace

We went to the restaurant with my boyfriend on a Monday around 20:15. We have been there before and the food was not bad. Unfortunately this time everything went bad, really bad. We had to wait for about 30mins for the one and only appetizer and after 30 mins we had to ask for an update on our order. They had clearly forgotten about us because after 10 mins someone came with the rice apologising for the delay. 10 mins afterwards my boyfriend's main meal arrived and then I had to wait for 10 more mins for mine. I have drunk so much tea waiting I could wee all night. I have ordered sweet and sour chicken. It was one of the driest things I ever had. Well, when I say had, I mean I had about a quarter. At that point, I just wanted to go. I'm not one of the people that complains or makes a fuss about something. If I don't like a restaurant I'm just not going to go again. So we have asked for the bill. But, unfortunately the bill was not coming either. So we went to the reception and ask to pay the bill there and we have asked to remove the service charge. I think it's the second time in my life I have refused to pay tip.
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Helen
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Monday, June 29, 2009

This is one of the best Chinese food I have ever tasted, the food is excellent. I am working my way through the entire menu. The menu consist of Kangaroo, Venison, Ostrich, Veal, Losbeter, crab and Frog Leg plus so much more. You also have your regular menu ie sweet and sour chicken, spare ribs etc Oh and whenever I go to the restaurant the staff even though they are rushed off their feet they are pleasant and friendly. I would highly recommend this restaurant. The only problem you will find is that you wish you could try everything on your first visit.
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J - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Chinese Lunar New Year is a major holiday for all Chinese families. Last Sunday (25th of January) is 2008 Chinese New Year Eve. Chinese New Year's Eve is known as 'Chuxi'. It literally means 'Year-pass Eve'. I took my wife, kids and relatives celebrating the New Year Eve at Phoenix Palace. I should say, that was a marvelous 'Year-pass Eve' for all of us.

I did quite a lot research about different London Chinese restaurants' new year menu and finally made a decision to book our new year dinner at Phoenix Palace.I was very interested in their new year menu, because some of the dishes I had never heard of them before! The whole thing is, each of dish has a meaningful name reveals different new year wishes in the next coming year... which made me feel so exciting! Trust me, the food was really great at that night and maybe, you couldn't find anywhere else has the same or similar dishes in London. I inquired their staff and realized Phoenix Palace only design and make these dishes once a year... ...just for the festival!

Besides, the Chinese new year atmosphere in the restaurant impressed me a lot. Have you watched the lion dance in your real life? To be honest, I only watched lion dances at TV and Internet. I should say, it was another surprise for us during that night. I didn't expect we could watch the lion dance just performed for us in the real life especially on the New Year Dinner. It made us feel like royalty. We really appreciated Phoenix Palace created such a great new year atmosphere for my family. I am so proud of myself made the right restaurant selection for our new year dinner. Now, we have decided to celebrate our 2009 New Year Eve at Phoenix Palace. I trust they won't let us down, we just can not wait to see how many surprises they will bring to us.

We will go back Phoenix Palace for trying something else on their new year menu before the last day of the festival, because the festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar and ends of the fifthteen day. If you are also interested in Chinese culture and Chinese food, don't lose your last chance to taste these special dishes. Otherwise, you have to wait for another one year
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Timothy So.
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, January 29, 2009

My friend strongly recommended Phoenix Palace to me, and we visited this restaurant 2 days ago. It was my first time came there, but I can say this restaurant has become one of my favorite restaurants in London. I had an enjoyable and impressive dining experience.

Dim Sum was very good and dishes are excellent. With our friend’s recommendation, we tried the baked crab and salty yolk served with steamed buns, fried minced pork patties with salted fish, eel with pickled mustard greens…they are really fantastic!

Service was friendly and helpful. We were greeted a very warm welcome, given choice of table to be seated nicely, our meal was served whilst every time one of the waiters passed our table, they fill our wine glasses for us…everything was very efficent.

What impressed me the most was their posh and traditional oriental decoration. I have been many Chinese restaurants in London, they seldom like Phoenix Palae which could bring me the real oriental ambience and elegant dining environment.

Well, I have to say the price standing up to the food, service, and ambience of the restaurant. Now, I would thoroughly recommend Phoenix Palace to anyone who likes Chinese cuisine in an elegant and real oriental ambience. We just can't miss out.
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Joanna S.L.
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 17, 2009

I am a foodie, and I love Chinese, these are my qualifications for this review. The fact that this restaurant is HUGE and you still have to queue on a Sunday is also testimony to the greatness of its cuisine . This restaurant is my favorite general Chinese restaurant. Let me explain; I have several restaurants in my repertoire that are great at doing one or two dishes. So for Chinese Lobster, I have a place that I go to just for that particular dish. The Phoenix Palace isn’t one of these one trick ponies (don’t get me wrong, a one trick pony is excellent if you really like its trick.) they cook EVERYTHING well.- the majority of their dishes are excellent. That makes it ideal an ideal restaurant to take friends to, as there is a huge selection of great dishes on the menu to suit most tastes. However, having said that, I still have a few favorites. One in particular is the Imperial Prawns with Steamed Buns. To me this is their Swan Song- the best of the best. I also want o note that their tea is superb. I order the majority of my tea directly from a specialist supplier in Hong Kong - so I enjoy tea and have had exposure to some great ones- despite this, I am still impressed with the tea at the Phoenix Palace.

As for the non- food items - The restaurant is clean, pretty, ornate and large. You will have enough privacy to speak freely and its not stuffy, so you cant be yourself. It’s comfortable and tables are large enough to order all your favorites and serve them at once. The staff are very good, but don’t expect the same service as the Dorchester's China Tang restaurant (which incidentally is a one trick pony for Peking Duck). As for the prices - not cheap eats, but not expensive either.

Conclusion: Its an ideal restaurant for family and friends with exceptional quality food.
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michael c
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 09, 2009

went to phoenix palace last night and was quite impressed by the decor which by chinese restaurant standards in london, was quite fancy. the layout is quite nice and cosy, and has a chinese styled interior with traditional chinese furniture and wall decorations. the service staff were all very friendly and attentive; smiling and generally being quite courteous. the food arrived promptly and still quite fresh, it tasted authentic cantonese with subtle flavours which were thankfully not overloaded with msg artificial flavouring.

again, i would like to stress the good quality of service, decor, atmosphere, and most importantly, food, that phoenix palace has met, especially when compared to other chinese restaurants around the london area, e.g. london chinatown. although it may be abit more pricey and the service charge (12.5%) is included, i would have to say it is well worth it as we all left very satisfied. will definitely come here again!

oh, and the toilets were very clean as well which is important as it shows they at least try to keep the level of standards across the whole restaurant.
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Phi
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, September 14, 2008

i am a bit torn about this place, some of the food was v good some was bland.. atmosphere reminded me of a big highly lit family tavern with a huuuge menu where people go on sundays, kids, prams, grandmas, birthdays etc.. service was of a similar style, it's not that it was inefficient (although one of the two main courses arrived 15 minutes after the other, which was a shame) but it just didn't feel really intimate, it didn't feel real..

food.. the duck was tasty, crispy and juicy at the same time, but the pancakes were dry (pity, as pancakes are usually the easy part of this dish).. dim sums were perfect.. rice was ok, noodles were *very very good*.. main courses were, hm, one (a pork with beans and pinenuts rolled in lettuce) was good, the other one (the one that arrived 15 minutes late, chicken filled with a prawn puree) was greasy and didn't really work for me..

overall, i think i d say that if a bunch of friends invited me for a dinner at the phoenix i would probably tag along and happily have again the EXCELLENT dim sums and noodles, but i reckon i won't be going back on my own initiative.. but as i already said, i am torn..
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niko
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Sunday, September 07, 2008

Been to Phoenix Palace last Friday with my two friends and had a great evening

with good food and excellent service.

On client's request and expense on monday to another chinese restaurant,

disgrace of poor food quality with expensive bill and no attention at all from staff,

zero service, zero customer care.

I am so happy to be back at Phoenix Palace this evening, good attitude, good service, good face, nice cocktail and good food.

I reckon i have impressed my guests. Big Thank You to all staff at Phoenix Palace.
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Mitsue Ohashi
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 15, 2008

After hearing so much positive feedback from my friends about this restaurant, I went there last week with my girlfriend to celebrate her birthday.The dim sum was good and i would highly recommend 'Liquid Gold Custard Buns' . Other than that, the chili crab that comes with peking bun is my other favourite, believe me, this finger licking dish should be listed down to those who like spicy food. The waiters were very helpful and I would like to praise the waiters for their superb services. Honestly speaking, I had a wonderful birthday celebration with my girlfriend. I would definitely go back again.
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Samuel Khoo
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, August 12, 2008

busy evening, buzzing monday.

great food, no, surpisingly fantastic food= Emperor King Prawn will be every time!!

excellent service, best, best.
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Phillipe Bergman
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 11, 2008