Dim T

We had read some fantastic reviews of this place and thought we would give it a try - without making a reservation I hasten to add. We were greeted after about 5 minutes waiting and were asked whether a reservation had been made. The restaurant wasn't that busy. As we hadn't made a reservation we were taken upstairs (which was empty). We were shown to a table for two which was directly next to the stairs and a service area. We asked if we could sit somewhere else but were told all tables were reserved! Every single table upstairs was reserved!?? We then thought we were being taken back downstairs to be shown to another table. No... we were taken back downstairs and shown the door!! We couldn't believe it, so much so that we were left iterally speechless at such utter rudness. Two people in a failry quiet restaurant were shown one table and then shown the door. Absoultely disgusting service. Dim - T...two words - STAFF TRAINING!!!
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Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, July 24, 2008

We recently stumbled accross this restaurant and were delighted (June '08). We were taken to the upstairs level as downstairs was busy. Expecting to be tucked away and forgotten about, instead we had a fantastic view of Tower Bridge, really lovely food and very friendly and efficient service. Reasonably priced for such a lovely location. I am looking forward to my next visit.
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Jack
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Shockingly bad service and the food is not much better.

Just been there for a Bank Holiday lunch and it was awful. The service... well there really was no service. The well intentioned but vacant waitress screwed up our drink order at the start and continued to walk about looking vacant and being fairly ineffective.

We had a long wait for the food and the starter came in two parts. They only bought one out and it took them ten minutes to realise that we were waiting for the rest of our order.

A request for a second beer took over fifteen minutes to arrive and when the main food came we had to send one dish back as the beef was cold. It came back five minutes later and it was just warm.

We left without paying any service charge and gave no tip and when another table arrived to sit next to us we told them not to stay and they had the good sense and fortune to get their coats and leave.

Avoid this place, which is a shame as we have enjoyed the Charlotte Street restaurant previously.
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Malachi Williams
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Monday, May 26, 2008

Three of us had dinner there last night. The restaurant is right by the river, 5 minutes walk from London Bridge station, between Hays Galleria and City Hall. The view is stunning, esp. from the tables outside and the top floor - you can see the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and City Hall. Because of the layout, you can enjoy the view even if you're not sat by the window. The photos on their website are pretty accurate

The food was OK. Nothing special. I could taste the oil in my vegetable & prawn Chow Mein which didn't impress me. My friends seemed satisfied with their Singapore Fried Noodles and Phad Thai. Desserts took a long time to arrive, my banana fritters were lukewarm and the sauces (chocolate and toffee) tasted rather plain. All was edible, but nothing to write home about. We paid £22 each, which we thought was reasonable for what we had (starters, three mains, two desserts, a couple of glasses of wine, a couple of glasses of coke and a coffee). You can have better and cheaper Chinese food elsewhere in London, but the location's got to count for something.

Service was basic - friendly but slow and not terribly efficient. They forgot drink orders, brought desserts without cutlery, and some of the waitresses seemed to have trouble with English. Waiters kept carrying big crates full of dirty dishes through the restaurant, which wasn't terribly appealing. Reminded me too much of Cafe Rouge.

The atmosphere was good. When we arrived at 7 PM the restaurant was half empty but it filled up later, and by 9 PM it was packed and very very noisy. There were several large groups in what is quite a small area, and that might have had something to do with the levels of noise. If you're looking for a quiet / romantic / peaceful venue, look elsewhere or make sure you arrive early.

All in all, a pretty average experience. I wouldn't avoid going back, but if I did it'd be for the view alone
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Sofia
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, May 07, 2008

pretty good overall. starters and mains were great. prawn crackers to be avoided. good service. slightly lacking in atmosphere but it was between 6.30 and 8 on a friday night so maybe it gets busier later. go upstairs for the view we didnt realise that until we went to the bathrooms before we left! overall 7 out of 10.
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mouseynz
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Friday, March 28, 2008

I'm not too sure what gets into people, but there seems to be a propensity for knee-jerk reactions with reviews - often based on a disagreement with the last review they read.

It was my first visit to Dim T (overlooking Tower Bridge) - my girlfriend having been to the one in Hampstead several times - and I really enjoyed it.

We'd booked for 9pm on Saturday, having been to the movies, and arrived maybe ten minutes late. (Un)fortunately, they too were running a little behind schedule, as two of their staff had cried off 'sick' at 7pm that night.

The extremely polite (Australian) maitre d' explained the situation, asked us to wait a few minutes, and whizzed off again - to also take orders, clear/clean tables and serve food. Having been left in the lurch on a busy Saturday night, that was pretty impressive.

We were then sat by the window (which i'd requested, and had acknowledged but not promised), and were able to order within 5-10 minutes.

Service was quick, smiley and attentive throughout our excellent meal (6 different dim-sum, pak choi with oyster sauce, vegetable spring rolls and a bottle of wine).

I see AA Gill reviewed Dim T back in May 2007 (a different branch), and can only assume that they aren't as good, were having an off night - or that AA Gill just feels the need to be a pompous arse at times.

Check Dim T out for yourself; the setting's great, the food fresh and tasty, the atmosphere buzzy and more than affordable - we paid £45 including tip.
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Simon Besley
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, February 11, 2008

I agree with Adrian that this is the worst chinese food I've ever had... and I'm not chinese.... it cannot take that much to do tasty (at least!) chinese food, there are hundred of take aways in London, that do it.
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Berta
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Sunday, December 16, 2007

I must say that I find the reviews gesticulating wildly and negatively about this restaurant to be really (and overtly pedantically) off the mark. Now, whilst I might not be Chinese, and indeed even half Chinese hint hint, I have been to China on a couple of occasions and eaten at some truly amazing Chinese restaurants. I went to Dim T with a bunch of some of my best (Chinese, mostly mainland and Honk Kong) friends and we had a real blast! Firstly, the views are to die for - just make sure you don't sit facing the view if you take a gorgeous girl there because you might just end up hurting her... better if she soaks in the scenery and ignores you - trust me! Secondly, the waiters (according to my besotted friend), look like Brad Pitt and act like Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands (without the crazy appendages!). And finally, the food is surprisingly good! We had endless mounds of Dim Sum and came away feeling great. Its no Royal China nor on par with the fabulous, unknown and unnamed Honky joints but it is eminently serviceable. The wine was fantastic fun too and the dessert of berries in chocolate finished off a delectable evening... We literally serviced every inch of our stomachs (and livers) for £20 a head... would definitely recommend it for novices and unassuming afficionados alike. BEST. VIEW. EVER.
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Nawaz Imam
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 08, 2007

The view is stunning, but forget romance -- we went on a Friday night and the place was packed with raucous birthday parties. Service was unobtrusive and efficient, but the food (we had a wide selection of dim sum) was mediocre at best -- Ping Pong is much better. Dim T is pretty cheap though, so you might still consider this as a party venue.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Sunday, August 19, 2007

I love Dim T. I've eaten there countless times and I think the food is delicious - excellent value too.
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Kirsty - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 30, 2007