Chubby Panda

My first visit to the Chubby Panda was prompted by nothing other than the prospect of having eaten in a restaurant with an amusing name. However, once inside, I realised that behind this hilarious facade lay a very special restaurant. The staff are very attentive, without being invasive and the food is among the best Chinese food that I have eaten. The capital spare ribs and chicken satay are two of my favourite starters, and both are available on the mixed starter platter for 2, which also has crispy seaweed, veggie spring rolls and prawn toast. Another starter, not on this platter, sadly, is the smoked shredded chicken with chilli and this is lovely. As far as second courses go, the only way is duck! Following onto the main course, their crispy chilli beef has never let me down for being crunchy, and their lemon chicken is just the right side of sweet before it becomes sickly. Their aroma spiced lamb is very, very nice, and the char siu pork is cooked to perfection. They have a range of Malaysian curries, as well as a section of Thai food which includes curries and stir fries.

They have a large wine selection, including sake and some Chinese wines. They also do very nice Chinese tea. As far as desserts go, their mango sorbet in actual mango skin, and their pineapple ice cream in a pineapple skin are lovely, and a nice light way to end the evening, especially if you share!

They have a buffet option, which, thankfully, doesn't involve getting up. You have a (slightly) limited version of the main menu and you can have anything you want for £17 for an adult. You can definitely have a good meal for less than £20 if you choose the buffet option. However, if you do go for the buffet, make sure you eat it all, as in an effort to combat waste, they will charge you for anything that you don't eat - so long as you eat around 3/4 of the dish, you'll be ok, but anything less than that, and you might try to take it home, so you'd essentially be getting a takeaway for free!

For two, starter, second course, main course and dessert usually comes to between £45-60 (without alcohol, and depending how many dishes you have with your main course. as a guide, the mixed appetiser platter, 1/4 duck with pancakes, plain rice and 3 main dishes, with a pineapple or mango ice cream, plus a couple of soft drinks and Chinese tea comes to around £55).

If you've ever considered going to the Chubby Panda, but haven't got round to it, do it! Go there tonight, and you won't regret it!
Comment on this reader review

Kat
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, May 09, 2008

This restaurant used to be known as Old China but is now under new ownership and has been transformed into a restaurant as good as if not better than those in ChinaTown. I have been here several times and have been impressed with the service, ambience, and most importantly the quality of the food. Specially recommended dishes are salt and peppered king prawns, PiPa beancurd and deep-fried crispy chicken. I would whole-heartedly recommend this restaurant.
Comment on this reader review

DJ
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, November 27, 2007