China Boulevard on the River

It's a shame that the last reviewer had a bad time and chose not to have their wedding banquet there, as we had ours there at the end of June and I have nothing but praise for them.

The staff were wonderful and the food absolutely superb. My mother said it was better than the last banquet she'd had in a five star hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong! High praise indeed from a Chinese mother.

What was fantastic about China Boulevard was that we had a lot of extra dietary requirements due to my husband's family being mainly vegan or veggie but eat fish. They made up two other menus to cater to them and everyone was very happy.

The amount of "free" things you get if you have a banquet from them is amazing. They even threw in the cake as part of the wedding package.

And it's not just the "expensive" events that they cater for. Before we chose this venue, we checked it out a few times, both for the dim sum and the evening menu before deciding that it was the right one. All times we have been, the food has been of a very high standard.
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Amy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, August 23, 2008

Having been here a few times with family and friends, my partner and I thought we'd go for the 1/2 price dim sum.

Arrived and was greeted with great welcome and sat down to tick off our order on the dim sum sheet. We ordered 10 items as we didn't have breakfast and felt peckish.

As it was pretty quiet with just 2 other couples it didn't take too long for the food to arrive. Food was good although the siu mai was very dry and the fried squid was plastered with heavy batter. I ordered the octopus which my partner does not eat and I could not finish, so like most Chinese familes, you take it home along with a few other items we couldn't finish rather than throwing it away.

When we got the bill, I noticed we only got £8 off the £25 food bill. So I questioned the bill and was told by who I believe was the manager that because we didn't finish the food that we ordered to eat-in we were charged the full price to take it away - so then why was we also charged 10% service on the food we were taking away?

No mention of this offer being eat in only and no mention that food you do not finish would be charged at full price. He then started comparing it to buffet restaurants!?!? He said when you have buffet you can't take home food or you will be charged! Er hello - we are paying for each item we order and not one price for all you can eat. On that note we paid up as I knew we weren't getting anywhere.

Finally, I have decided not to have my wedding banquet here due to the greediness of one person over £4 as I'm afraid of any extra hidden costs they may add, although I would like to thank Claudia for her assistance in dealing with my emails. Shame though as they could of made well over £2,000 from this banquet.
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Charlie
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I have been to this restaurant several times over the last year and am always very impressed.

Service is quick and friendly. The staff there are lovely.

The food is gorgeous. Fresh, tasty, decent portions. Endless green tea as the pots are always refilled.

Prices there are very reasonable. We had dim sum for four people there and it cost £15 a head, that was about 15 different dishes and one of those was half a peking duck.

The owner even helped arrange a huge 60-person birthday party for my grandmother's 90th birthday and managed to please the vegetarians and pescatarians alike, as well as the meat eaters. They made my grandmother's day fabulous.

Apparently in the week their dim sum is half price too. Which makes it even more worthwhile making the journey.

Love this place. Will definately be returning.
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Beagleskin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 21, 2008

We booked a table here for Mother's Day and what a mistake that was! Firstly they had us down for 5 people, when we had booked 6, so they had to find us a slightly bigger table. That wasn't really a problem though. Problem was that the service was really poor. The waiters seemed to be untrained. The empty teapot sign (lid open on the teapot) went unnoticed by the waiters, as did about 10+ empty plates and steamers. When we ordered more food, we waited over 30 mins and it just didn't arrive, so we cancelled the order.

Some of the tables around us had been vacated, but the staff were very slow to clear them. At least 2 groups of people were waiting 15 mins because no one had cleared the tables. Eventually it took one of the managers to initiate the clear up. We noticed other tables were unhappy with the service too. One couple wanted to pay by credit card, but were waiting so long for the waiter that they left cash on the table and walked out.

As for the food, it was tasty, however the prices are slightly more expensive than other dim sum restaurants and the sizes are smaller too.

I liked the sinks in the ladies toilet, but that wouldn't make me go back to China Boulevard again.
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B. Lee - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Sunday, March 02, 2008

Visited here last night in a group of nine. We hired a room( and were also there for a little Christmas Karaoke....)

There were a number of problems. Firstly the service was very slow, this can be excused when a restaurant is busy, but seeing as the ground floor was actually empty and there were maybe 8 full tables upstairs this was very poor.

When some mixed starters arrived, there were two (not large) plates amongst nine, one of which was mainly seaweed and cost £25.....

The duck course failed to arrive completely and two of the main courses also did not show up.

The quality of the food cannot be questioned though, it was really excellent, it just arrived late and incomplete (I should also point out that the quality should be good as the average main meal costs over £10, quite a bit higher than many competitors).

The bill was adjusted and the manager was then very helpful, but it was a slightly bewildering experience (I am afraid I cannot recomend the Karaoke either as the system took an hour to get working and the song choice was very limited).

I don't think I would go back, but if you can get the food to your table, it is very good, just don't expect excellent service, and don't sit in a private room.
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K Heath - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

We come here for lunch (dim sum) all the time, but only a couple of times before for dinner. We dine at China Boulevard tonight, and we were so disappointed with the service. There was a small party that night, which meant that the serving time took a little longer, but that was understandable.

However what was totally unacceptable was that, we order a mixed roast (trio) with rice. However the lady that took the order made a mistake. (I think she is actually one of the owners). Rather than taking the order of a mixed roast (trio) with rice, she served us a mixed roast (duo) and rice separately. Firstly, we ordered trio and not duo. Secondly, the roast was suppose to come with the rice, rather than coming separately. Thirdly, without asking us, they served us rice for 3. This meant that the price was doubled from what we ordered! Ignoring the fact of the price increase, we complained to one of the waiter saying that we did not order this. He replied saying that since he wasn’t the one that took the order and there was nothing he could do. Not once, did we get an apology from that lady who took our order. Needless to say, they charged us the double the price of what we have ordered.

Well, we’ll never be going there again for dinner. I do not except this kind of service, especially from the boss herself.
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JL
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Thursday, December 13, 2007

We visited China Boulevard last June 24th. 2007 as a surprise dine out for my mother-in-law's 70th. birthday. Although the table been booked in advance, all 14 family members ordered separately on the night which causes a slight delay for one or two food to arrived. Considering the restaurant was busy, it was a very good and polite service with a lovely food. They even gave a free cake for the celebrant to cut.

However apart from food, the view and the layout in general is wonderful but I'm not sure if they have a lift for disables to go upstairs though.
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Joey Macrohon
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, June 29, 2007

Spectacular chinese food. This place really does serve some of the best chinese cuisine I have eaten in London. For a place away from the centre of town the level of skill is unusually high and I was really surprised to find this in Battersea. The restaurant employes several chefs direct from China and the level of skill and understanding really shows - go for the more exotic dishes if you can. This is light years away from the SoHo/Chinatown identikit restaurants

However, the level of service and in particular the take away service are appalling. My take away order this week took nearly three hours to be delivered (and when it was it was cold) and that is if you manage to get them to answer the phone (only answered if you have lottery winning luck). In the restaurant the time to delivery situation is better but you can expect significant delays. The waiters need someone to put some shape and order to what they are doing. Quality of food goes a long way to making up the long wait but after sitting at a table for nearly 45min it had better be. If they sort out the delivery time and get better waiting staff this place could be a real destination restaurant.
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Ben
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Booked a table for 9 for company lunch the other day! So glad the food and service didn't dissapoint us as my manager told me to book somewhere nice. Dim-sum and the rottiserie was reasonably fast and tasty, so thumbs up for that as we only had hour n half for lunch! Nice music and nice to watch Kylie Minogue concert on their big on their gigantic LCD. Recommend this place for nice food, nice atmosphere. Only doubt is.. for a restuarant as nice and posh as this.. my opinion, they really should employ waiters with better english, presentabke and better social skills!
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Ben Wright (Lancome and Co)
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, March 22, 2007

I agree that the food is pretty good, it must be as the restaurant always has many Chinese people eating there. The service is where it lets itself down. For a start the waiters and waitresses only speak enough English to take your order so if there is a problem or a question you are stuck! Each time we eat there we have a problem with service. Last time they didn't read

the lunch menu ticks properly so the food ordered from the back page was forgotten, when it did arrive the Crispy Pork Crackling was luke warm. Please improve service it really spoils our visits!
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Mrs B Bland
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Friday, February 02, 2007