Hare and Tortoise Noodle Bar

We have been to other units in this group, and were very happy. But this units seems to be different. Service was very poor and food was smaller. Plus I walked out smelling like I had been for a swim in a frying pan.

We will not be returning.
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James Palmer
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, January 30, 2008

appalling service, fairly good food (penang prawn noodle + laksa highly rec). price is also reasonable.
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me
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Saturday, December 01, 2007

I just happened upon this place as it was right opposite the Renoir cinema. I ordered the soft shell crab, miso soup and a selection of ngiri - tuna, salmon, yellow tail, eel and scallop. I needed a sushi fix and, as Yo! was the only other choice, there was no choice. The sushi was nice, the scallop in particular surprised me. They actually gave me sword fish instead of yellow tail but I was content enough not to complain. Plus you have to FAST to get their attention.

Having said that I don't think you come here for sushi (I seemed to be the only one eating it) and I look forward to going back to try the noodle and rice dishes The soft shell crab, although it didn't look particular appealing, was extremely tasty and a very generous portion. The sushi pricing was fairly standard sushi cafe princing but everything else on the menu appeared to be really good value and certainly the noodles bowls I saw looked brimming and delicious. The queue outside the door as I left at 18:30 was very big indeed.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 23, 2007

it's cheap, big portions, and if you order anything but the sushi, it usually comes very quickly.

yes, the service is crap, but it kind of reminds me of Hong Kong, you can't expect them to ask you how is everything doing, that's not how it is done, and i find that if you ask them for the whatever, they will usually bring it to you quite quickly. it's a chinese fastfood that is brought to your table... for 6 pounds. there probably isn't a place that can offer the same amount of good food for that cheap.

if you want service and a fancy oriental setting, go to royal china, but if you want a good meal quickly, this is where to go. being chinese, it's one of the few places not on the queensway or china town that has some decent 'oriental' food.
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kelvin
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Far, far better than wagamama. The nearby student populations mean that service will never improve, but so what? Not like the UK is known for service, anyway.

The laksa is good, as are the rice dishes. Dont try for exotic beverages or substitutions.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Sunday, August 19, 2007

There is not a restaurant I know of that comes close to the H&T for good value, excellent food, atmosphere and location - situated right next to the Renoir cinema makes it ideal.

Although the common sight of a queue outside may be daunting (you can't book unless it is for 8 or more), you never have to wait for long and at least you know you are on to something good.
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anon
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Thursday, July 26, 2007

I happened upon this place by sheer fluke. Was out with 3 friends around lunchtime and we wanted somewhere quick and easy to eat...didn't fancy a pub lunch. One of my friends who had eaten there before kept mentioning a thai, chinese, malaysian place, that was quick, cheap and more importantly served great food. Much to my delgiht has was spot on. Admittedly i was a little daunted by the sheer volume of people, but we arrived just in time it would seem and were seated right away.

Menu not that extensive, but whatever you order...i had a taste of all 3 other dishes, and highly recommend the curry laska!!!. For 3 starters, 4 main courses, and beers all round we paid about £13.00 each!!!

Outstanding food, service was just about right, and atmosphere...small, but cost. LOVED IT!!!
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hutchie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 24, 2007

I love this place and eat there regularily-the service has improved a lot over the last month with the hire of several friendly young waiters but for god's sake get rid of the surly waitress with the long ponytail-her scowl is enough to curdle your food and when I asked her if the deserts were nice she barked 'no' as she simply wasn't listening! Well done-lost sale there! Her behaviour is unacceptable and I do not give my hard earned money to0 be treated like that!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 24, 2007

Went to this restaurant based on a friend's recommendation. We were there for lunch and the place was packed! We started with Sashimi Salad (excellent) and Prawn & Chive Gyoza. For mains, we had Penang Prawn Mee and Curry Laksa which were very similar taste to back home! Great for those who misses authentic hawker food.
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Fi
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Sunday, May 27, 2007

Hare & Tortoise has been a recent and excellent discovery. Far better value for money than similar places like Wagamama, the portions are huge and delicious. The queue often extends out the door around lunchtime, so expect a wait at peak times for a table and for service, which can be exceptionally slow when the place is full. Surprisingly, the sushi is around half the price and much better than nearby offerings such as Yo! Sushi. Although the selection is narrower, I think 16 pieces for £12 including octopus and fish roe is very reasonable.

Overall, it might be best to go somewhere else during busy times if you want a quick meal, but otherwise for fast, delicious food at excellent prices, I highly recommend it.
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Harvey - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 07, 2007