Canton

The owners have changed. The two older miserable women have gone and the younger staff make the place far happier. The won ton soup used to be amazing. Now the won tons are sub standard. The pork and duck on rice was amazing but now the sauce that accompanies the dish is poor.

Will not be returning. I thought when I last went it was a different chef but it appears to be that the new ownership has caused a reduction in quality. Need to find a replacement restaurant.
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AVB
7 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 3
Saturday, January 14, 2012

I went to Canton last night looking forward to roasted duck with rice and a clear broth. As soon as I walked in I noticed it did not smell the same. I asked where all the regular staff where and the woman tried to deny there was any change. Eventually they admitted they were the new owners.

I just walked out without tasting the food. It was not the same. Why did it close?

Canton was the best Cantonese in Chinatown and China China which was good too, closed a couple of years ago. There are now no decent Cantonese places to eat that sell roast meats and squid in the whole of Chinatown - except maybe Jen Cafe. I'm gutted! I hope the former owners and the staff have jobs to go to!

Chinatown needs some decent Cantonese places to eat.
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Ciaran
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Canton is, or should I say was, the greatest of all the small Chinese restaurants/cafes in china town. I have been eating there for many many years on almost a daily basis. I was however shocked and upset to discover a couple of days before Christmas that the family that have run the Canton since time immemorial have had to pack up. This is a fate met by many of smaller places because they simply cannot pay the rates demanded by Westminster council. Also many of the once numerous antiquarian bookshop on charing cross road have had to shut. I loved the Canton, as many of the previous reviewers have said duck pork intestines squid etc were beyond tasty and many times I've spent my mornings just dying for lunch to arrive so I could go and stuff my face cheaply.

Very upset at recent turn of events. Canton RIP.
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Nick evans
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 02, 2012

Canton has been a favorite haunt for many years. The friends I've told about this hidden gem all sing it's praises. The decor is unpretentious but the food is always delightful and the staff even when busy are always attentive .

My faves are the Won Ton Soup with pork and noodles, duck piled high on top of rice or the crispy belly pork ,oh and the chili prawns mmm. I could go on for days.
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Kevin + Sam
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Outstanding! The decor is not Five Star nor are the staff. It's rather like a Chinese transport caff. The food is brilliant and the prices are good. If you want a romantic place to eat then go elsewhere and pay a fortune. If you want good Chinese food then come here.

The Won Ton soup, and the duck and Char Sui pork are to die for!!!
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AVB - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Been going here for many years and love it.

It doesn't look all that, but if you know what to order (duck, salt & chilli squid, pork in honey sauce, chicken noodle soup) you will be a happy client.

Excellent value for money.
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Myrna
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, July 13, 2011

This restaurant is a must. ok well to start all there food is very different, the meats are amazing, the duck and porks are the best, rice and noodle dishes are great. And the chilli prawns are great. good staff as well, you must go and great prices for great food. well done.
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Paul
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Saturday, April 16, 2011

This is probably the first review I have ever written online, as I am not fussed when I have a good or bad meal. However, I will make an exception for this occasion - I had THE WORST MEAL I have ever had in London, England or the entire world. I had noodles and they were repulsive, tasted as if someone had just defrosted some old noodles and added a container of cheap gone off curry powder, yes, curry powder I kid you not. The tiger beer was certainly not tiger beer, I had one after in a bar just to check and as I thought, it obviously was poured in the bottle from another cheaper watered down lager, (that had aromas of soap). So so far - curried dry horrible noodles and watery soap beer. In addition, our waitress was utterly rude, I mean, totally like 'oh my god I can't believe this place is still in business' type of rude level, i.e. looking off all the time, not listening, curt, as if we were little urchins that she wanted to sweep away with a broom. So, there we go, I strongly advise you to miss this one out, there are plenty of other lovely Asian restaurants here.
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Luke Pempleton
1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Ha, for some reason I didn't think Canton would be on here. Maybe it's because it's more of a cafe, and one of numerous places just like it in the surrounding area. Too 'small' to get onto these pages. But here it is and I couldn't be more delighted to review it.

Canton is a restaurant I have been going to for years. Quite simply, if you want a quick bowl of soy chicken noodle soup or plate of cold cantonese duck on rice, and a bit of salt and chili squid if you're feeling a little hung over, there isn't a better place.

Service is abrupt, tablecloths are paper, spoons and chopsticks are worn, it's often a little cold, but who cares? The meats - which the guy in the shop window expertly chops to the delight of the tourists outside - are second to none.

There are no pretentions here. The meat is chopped on the bone, courses arrive together, you mostly have to share your table. But you feel like you could be in deepest china when you eat here.

The soy chicken noodle soup is a dish I have 3 times a week. The veritable 'meal in itself'. Wonderful fresh noodles topped with a little chinese cabbage, a few spring onions and then delicious quarter of soy chicken chopped into pieces through the bone. And a powerful salty duck stock that stands up to the ridiculously fierce chili oil on the table (seriously, if you venture there you literally only need a dab. It will blow your socks off) £6.50. Job's a goodun.

You need to use your hands a lot and the table cloth becomes extremely messy, but no worries, they screw it up and throw it away when you're gone.

The salt chili squid is another triumph. Perfectly cooked squid coated in a floury salty light crispy crust and served with the tossed remains of onion and chili. Served in big lumps, a real mouthful, every one a joy.

There are things to avoid. Ubiquitous singapore noodles and sweet and sour stuff. The old classics. I simply wouldn't bother. They are there to appease the tourists.

The cold meats hanging in the window are what this place does best. have them with soup or rice.

Don't go in unless you're hungry. And expect change from a tenner. That's what eating in chinatown is all about and anyone who reviews this place badly probably just hasn't entered into the spirit of the place.

It's been run by the same owners for years who beneath their harsh shouty exteriors are charming and if you're regular enough they will knock you up half portions when you're by yourself and do you stuff that's slightly off piste.

Dont' ask too many questions of the staff. They struggle with English. Just do a lot of pointing and a lot of miming and everyone gets there in the end.

If you can be bothered to read through my many reviews you will see that I've dined in most places and like going on fine dining soirees. But I have to say the older I get the more I lean towards the magic of a place like this. A place where they feed you up with good authentic fare and churn you out happy at the end.

This place is amongst my favourite restaurants of all time because of that. I'll be there tomorrow if anyone wants some recommendations.
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benjamin163 - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 23, 2011

My partner and I eat here a lot; its fantastic. Stick with the duck and barbecued meats and you will not go far wrong. The staff get better as they get to know you. The wine list needs some work though!
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- View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 03, 2011