Pearl Liang

Don't be fooled by the exterior of an empty square near Paddington. The food is good here. Apparently the chef used to work in Mandarin Kitchen in Bayswater, and we found their lobster noodles rather yummy.

However staff aren't that switched on & are somewhat unconfident, so do not expect great service.

This is a nice place outside Chinatown, albeit the tables were a little too close together and it lacks atmosphere. Not tried their dim sum but I saw other Chinese customers having them so they can't be too bad.
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7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, December 27, 2011

I discovered this restaurant recently and have been there a couple of times so far and really like it!! I was quite disappointed to see the overall rating at 1.8.

I find the food very nice with classic as well as some a bit more adventurous dishes.

The atmosphere is good: nothing extreme but it has an atmosphere nonetheless.

The service is ok - at least polite. I am living around this area and if I were to compare this place to the Chinese restaurants on Queensway - although it is a bit more expensive- the service is excellent and so is the food.

I will definitely go again!
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Mpountoukou
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, November 16, 2011

I was one of Pearl Liangs ravers when it first opened. I live very close in Little Venice so used it very frequently. Having not been for a while, this place has fallen to pieces. when we arrived we waited about 15 mins before we were asked could we wait 10 mins. Then we where told are table booked for 8.30, its now 9pm (was not ready), would we like to sit in reception. I said no we would sit in the bar with a drink on the house for the mess up. I was told ok.

After being asked if we would like to stay in the bar area (NO NO NO) we have a table booked in the restaurant. We were given a table. The service was very bad, BIG language problems trying to order, the food came in a very mixed up order The last starter came with our main course. I ordered a Sizzle hot plate. When it came out on the plate, not placed on sizzle in front of me I was told it sizzled in the Kitchen. In a very ggresive manner.

Half way through dinner they started taking the tea candles off the tables like we are now closing.

So to the bill we where given a bar bill of £38 We only had a bottle of Water. When I spoke to the Manager he said This is the drinks you had at the bar. one drink we had at the bar on you I told him for the 1 hour delay.

I have gone on enough I will never go back and I will tell a lot of people.

What a shame for me it was the best chinese in london.
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Terence Conlin
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Sunday, July 10, 2011

Avoid this place at all costs!

A group of 9 of us went to the restaurant for dinner on Thursday 3rd March. Right from the start, the staff were unable to get the orders correct, continuously reached in front of our faces to collect dishes etc as we were talking and shouted directions at us when the food arrived.

The food is average - nothing special and nothing you could not get anywhere else.

The worst part is when we decided the service had not been up to scratch and we did not wish to pay the entire 12.5% automatic service charge. The manager became verbally abusive in front of us and all the other customers in the restaurant and demanded to know why we didn't think their service was adequate. When we attempted to explain, he simply shouted at us, threw the bill at us and stomped off.

I would never ever EVER recommend anyone eats here ever, and luckily I work for a business in this vinicinity and have ensured that I have told as many people as I could about my experience.
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1 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 10, 2011

We were a party of 4 and went to Pearl Liang for dinner because we came across this special offer on their website for 15% off all a la carte food. We booked the table online on that page to make sure we get the 15%, however, at the end of the dinner when we paid, we didn't check the bill and thought they had applied the 15% discount already. When I got home and looked at the bill, I realized the discount was not applied, so I call them immediately and they denied that I was entitled to the discount and said I had to have written confirmation in order to receive it. While I was explaining my booking process to prove that I did it the right way, they simply said I was changing my story details and coming up with excuses.

The tone the manager had with me was completely condescending and inappropriate. Their dishonesty to save 15% of the bill is now costing them a new customer and any potential future customers I may refer.

The food in general was good, however, the service of the evening wasn't up to standard at all. First of all, when we arrived at the restaurant, the manager realized they had given our table away and put us in a big round table where we could barely talk to each other.

All in all, a terrible experience at Pearl Liang, and will never be visiting again!
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WM
3 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Sunday, February 27, 2011

Dishonest! Worst Customer Service

I received an offer from Pearl Liang with a free bottle of wine and was about to book a table with them. It stated in the email in capital letters: any time, any day after 5 pm with this email printed out....

However, when I was trying to book a table, the restaurant denied this offer and claiming due to the current peak seasons or busy time, this offer did not apply. It apparent conflicts with what they said in the email in black and white. The restaurant put this offer on their website to attract visitors but cannot perform their promise or offer.

The manner of the manager who I spoke to seemed to be indifferent with the diner at all. The voice of the customer is certainly not valued at all, but ignored entirely.

I have reported this severe dishonest and misleading conduct to Fair & Trade Office and was advised that this already presented a contract. The misleading information on the website could be subject to criminal offence and awaits investigation.

I would say that for such low level of caring towards the diner and the arrogance of the management team, plus the dishonest practice of conduct, how could you possible speck around 100-200 per table there?
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Lyn S. Mavani
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Monday, January 31, 2011

I never write reviews... but this time I feel like it is worth sharing. The food at Pearl Liang is good... however, if you are looking for a good service, avoid this place. The staff might be trying, but managers! absolutely awful! I am not quite sure how can they be managing such a "top restaurant" in London. They have no idea what customer service means. I certainly won't recommend this place for any future events!
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Lucia
3 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Friday, November 12, 2010

Having read some of the negative reviews here, I feel I have to speak up for Pearl Liang. I was in a group of 14 for Sunday lunch. Instead of the awful tables-pulled-together set-up you get in so many restaurants, we had a huge circular table with revolving centre.

The chairs were VERY comfortable. Important as I get a sore backside after an hour in most restaurants! We were there for three hours and no problem!

We had masses of food - all of it was very tasty and fresh. I had the opportunity to try new things, all of which were good. Service was also fine.

Despite ordering more than we could eat, our total bill including (soft) drinks all round and 12.5% service came to £19 a head.

Excellent quality and quantity - and comfortable chairs! Pearl Liang gets my vote.
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James Lizard
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, November 07, 2010

Very disappointing experience at Pearl Liang last night. We were a party of 8 people and ordered the 'Pearl' set menu. Unfortunately, what followed was a relentless assault of salt that meant even high quality ingredients were a struggle to eat.

Starter of scallop and soft shell crab was tasty at the outset, but the salt levels soon numbed our tongues and left us gasping for water / tea / wine - any liquid to dilute.

Peking duck was nice but the portion was small, with barely enough to go round our table.

The lobster noodles were a far cry from those at the Mandarin Kitchen. The lobster itself was inferior and the gravy was less tasty. And, it was so salty that we must have got through 4 pots of tea on that course alone.

Main courses too were poor. The best dish was the mixed vegetables, which were fresh, crunchy and, for once, not too salty. However, the prawns were overcooked, or maybe even pre-cooked, because they had lost their fresh texture. The turbot had an odd flavour about it, and we left most of it. Chicken on prawn toast was no more than the sum of its ingredients.

The high point of the meal therefore was the cake we had ordered in from Patisserie Valerie for my mum's birthday.

My parents were impressed by their first few experiences at Pearl Liang, but I expect this will be their and my last. Back to the Mandarin Kitchen for consistently good food and amazing lobster noodles!
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MJN
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

After reading several reviews about this restaurant, we went today for what we thought would be a lovely meal.

The restaurant looks lovely and the prices match the pretentious surroundings but both the food and service came way too short of expectations.

The staff just do not understand what friendly service is. Maybe cause their English isnt brilliant. Sorry but its England and in a posh restaurant. its expected right?

The food was very salty and oily to an extent that you need to constantly wipe your fingers dry.

I did manage to flag it up to the manager after starters and hoped the mains would be better but it was stil terrible food. The manager never came back ONCE to check on us despite me telling him about the poor starters.

The food was very average and over rated.

On leaving. I made it a point to tell the manager that it was terrible food. He seemed rather defensive leave alone an apology.

what a rip off for AWFUL food and service!
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Sharad Kumar
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Sunday, August 01, 2010