Friendly Inn

Visited the friendly inn on saturday night and what a treat! pleasant staff serving decent food in a nice basic no frills manner. food was delivered to the table at lightning speed and was piping hot. All in all, it may not be the best chinese eaterie in the world but it was very fair for the low prices charged!
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jason robinson - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Well, after so many good reviews and a few my myself before, we went back on Friday night and had one of the worst Chinese meals ever. The starters were cold, the Crispy duck wasn't crispy and the white fat between the skin and meat was very unpleasent and it was cold!

The main courses had one reasonable dish (Beef with Ginger and Spring Onioins) but the rest was virtually unreconisable, lacking in any distinct taste, a real disappointment, after so may good experiences.

From what I saw the management was the same, some ofthe staff we didn't recognise and they were pretty poor at what they did. Wouldn't have left a tip if it hadn't already been added as service charge!

The two of us opted to pick our dishes rather than go for the cheaper set menus, what a big mistake.

Unfortunately, based on this, we will not be returning, sorry Friendly Inn, you've let yourself down!
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Martyn
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Decor within the restaurant is very basic and not exactly ambient. However, that is not even an issue once one tastes the food which is exceptional and extremely reasonably priced. I recommend trying the chilli salt squid, the hot and sour soup and the tofu with minced beef. Large portions, well cooked and absolutely delicious. The other great thing about this place are the waitresses are very sweet and food is served extremely fast. Definite must in Chinatown!
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Tezza Green
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Booked a table in advance but no need as Tuesday night was not very busy. Great welcome and was able to negotiate on the set menu to avoid the Pork. Great italian dry white and good service - not an authentic looking chinese but was great food, representing good value for money! recommended if you do not want to pay high prices and want quick service for good standard chinese food.
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Devonia - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Well we visited again last Saturday night after such a good experience last year. Nothing had changed, good service, great food, everything you'd expect from a well recomended place to eat!
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Martyn
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 29, 2007

We love the friendly Inn, it feels like an undiscovered secret all of the tourits will go in the modern swanky looking restaurants down china town while real londoners head for The friendly Inn. The food is hot on time and the owner is a great laugh.
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KDJ
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 15, 2007

We have eaten in the Friendly Inn many many times now...and it has never failed to please. From the outside it may not appear to be the brightest, swankiest looking restaurant in China Town, but the food and service make up loads for this. There is plenty on the menu to suit all tastes. Pricewise the menu ranges from set menus through to carte menu...but all is good. Drinks also good price.

If you are ever in China Town take a look for this place..you will find it right at the far end of China Town, the last restaurant...check it out !!
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Neil Thompson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Travelled down from Northampton and went to Freindly Inn after reading many reviews for various restaurants in the area. A very friendly & warm welcome (living up to it's name), a particular lady (didn't get her name) joked wih us and made the whole experience with the staff great fun. The food was very nice, great Crispy Duck for the four of us, then a selection of main courses, including noodles, Beef in Oyster Sauce, a Curry dish, King Prawns in Ginger (my favourite) and Chicken Chop Suey. All this washed down with a nice and very reasonably priced bottle of wine.

All in all this was a great experience and we will definitely return to the Friendly Inn the next time we go to see a show.
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Martyn, Friday 25th August 2006
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, August 26, 2006

Just got back from an organised meal for a fairly large group on a Saturday. Out of all the 50 or so restaurants I called up in Chinatown they were the only ones to offer us space and some discount on the usual busy Saturday night. Even when there, the staff were great, providing to our needs. The food was not bad but not outstanding. But for the price it was excellent. Foodwise perhaps try dishes that aren't so familiar such as the seafood dishes - they are probably better. Not one of the group found it bad and that includes two of us who have been brought up eating Chinese food. The restaurant itself is unusually designed for Chinese cuisine but adds something unique to the place - quite cosy.
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Chandlerbing4 - View all reviews by this user
Sunday, November 13, 2005

We went here because of the good reviews on this web site but we didn't think it was that great. The service is certainly friendly and quick, but the food is a bit of a let down.

I had bean curd and vegetable soup which was so bland that even salt and pepper didn't improve it. My husband had the sweet & sour soup which he said tasted funny and only gave it a 4 out of 10.

My husband's spring roll was average and the size of the colas are tiny, so he had to order three.

Our main courses were Schezuan Chili Chicken and Chicken Chow Mein (or low menin as it is called in the US). The chicken had a strange, slimely consistency and wasn't very spicey or nicely prepared in the schezuan dish. The chow mein was tasty and this I would recommend although there were a lot of beansprouts and onions in it and not much chicken.

The prices are very reasonable and a tip is automatically added to the bill to make life easier for the customers. The toilets were clean and its a great location, but with so many other choices in Chinatown...I'd give this one a miss next time.
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Bobbi - View all reviews by this user
Sunday, October 30, 2005