Imperial China

I've had been to this restaurant 3 or 4 times before, and I must say I love the place. After reading some of the reviews they had got lately I was abit sceptical to see if the place had changed. When we visited London for our New Year's trip we found time to try it again, and we were mostly as satisfied as with our earlier visits. I saw it was commented on the personel being "too fast" in removing from the table, and I must say that was a bit annoying. Also this time the Coca Cola was totally with any spark at all, something I've actually experienced once before there. Apart from that it was very enjoyable. The food was very good and the atmosphere and service was good. I feel that the overall value for money was really good.
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Mollatt - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, January 03, 2010

We are regular vistors to London but have never taken our eight year old daughter as they are "boaring business trips"

Summer holidays have come around so we thought a social trip to london would be nice and we would take our daughter. So where to eat? We have eaten in numerous London resturants so thought we would do a mix with Chinese on our first night. Once again from past visits we thought one of the "flasher" ones would be nice for our daughters first experience.

They don't come more flash than the Royal Imperial. The bridge over the Koi pond as you go into the impressive open fronted building has a real wow factor.

And the interior is just as breathtaking. We have been to this Chinese two or three times before.The last time about twelve months ago. The food is normally on par as is the service but the star is the resturant itself. Good first experience for our daughter?

Impessive start she loved the bridge the warm welcome on the door and sumptuous interior. Thats where the experience ended. Seven thirty and nearly empty we were taken upstairs and put in a corner by the fire exit. Apart from the lovely wood paneling on the walls it could have been good old MC d's

Every drink we requested for our daughter they did not have and our order taken by a curt member of staff. The food came very promptly and was to say the least appaling. Plastic pancake rolls from the local chinese supermarket through to crispy duck that was crispy then some. The main was just as dismal.

The worst part of all this was the waiter who stood three feet from us the whole time, even taking dishes before finished. To the point of scaring our daughter who may I point out is very well behaved. She even kept asking us what he was doing.

Ordeal over and the bill, bad service and bad value. And a twelve pounds discretionary service charge, may I add we chose not to pay, and were treated like leppars on the way out.

We would have compained during the meal if we had been alone but did not want a fuss with our daughter there, thats why im writing this. A special occasion spoilt. Back to the Royal Dragon next time where the food is always excellent, shame there are no fish for the kids though.
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2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Called in here late on Saturday evening after a lovely evening at the theatre. Greeted by surly service and told that we had 5 minutes to order and everything would come at once! Had to ask for some prawn crackers which were begrudgingly brought. Ordered just main courses which arrived within 5 minutes. Below average food and terrible service. Do not go.
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3 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Sunday, April 19, 2009

Before I started my food critic trip, I hardly knew any good Chinese restaurants in London, this one seems like a decent type at that time, so I have been a frequent there for a while. Now I have to say it is a typical China Town restaurant: low quality, high price, bad service, and tourist-oriented 'short-term' business.
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King - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Thursday, February 26, 2009