L'Orient

We regularly eat at L'Orient and rate it to be arguably the best Oriental restaurant in London. The venue is intimate - old oak beams with a modern twist. Staff are charming and the food is truly excellent - very different from the standard Chinese meal you may get which often seems like it has been cooked in bulk and reheated... L'Orient's food is cooked fresh and tastes just like that.

There is also an excellent wine list to accompany any selection of food.

Would eat there more but actualy prefer to save for special occasions so I think that is a massive compliment in itself...
Comment on this reader review

Will Unwin
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

My Husband and I were invited to a birthday celebration at L'Orient, although we live locally we'd never been before.

We were in a private room upstairs with its own bar. At the time smoking had'nt been banned in public places but until the meal was over you could only smoke at the bar.

We had several courses, all of which were delicious and well presented. Although the room was small (maybe an attic room?) it was cosy. We sat on square cushions at a low table. The waiters served all courses promptly and the food was hot and tasty and our bar men were available only to us for the enitre evening.

After we'd finshed eating the birthday girl was given a microphone...and a catalogue of songs. There is a karaoke system set up in that particular room.

My husband and I enjoyed the evening so much, we booked the karaoke room for his birthday a couple of months later.

I'm not sure how much the evening cost. The party we were invited to we only had to pay for our food and my husband paid for everyone the night of his birthday.

Our daughter turned up for a while with our little grandson (he was only 12 months then) and the staff we helpful and accomodating with him.

I'd go again!!!

Maybe for my 50th and after I've had some singing lessons !!

Julie C

Harrow
Comment on this reader review

Julie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, August 12, 2007

We (a party of 9) went to L'Orient to celebrate a birthday last Saturday night. We were impressed by the exterior, and even more with the interior - until we were shown to where we were eating. We were in a separate room which appeared to have been 'cobbled together' to accommodate us. Two of us couldn't sit comfortably as we had the legs of the trestle table to negotiate. The room was freezing. The service was slow and drinks had to be sent back more than once. For example, vodka and lemonade turned up as vodka and cream soda!

The food was OK, but only that. Certainly nothing to shout about. 6 of us went for the £25 per head banquet that included dessert; dessert being a dry pancake-type dessert with chocolate sauce and a scoop of ice cream. If this was an 'all you can eat' for a fixed price I could understand how things were. As it happened it was £40 per head with drinks.

Let me add that I am an unfussy eater, in fact most of us that night were exactly that. I was very disappointed and will not be going back.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Monday, April 23, 2007

I have visited L'Orient twice now. The first time for a birthday dinner in February and again more recently for Sunday brunch. I enjoyed it immensely both times and will certainly be going back-hopefully soon.

L'Orient is truly a unique place. Finding an Oriental restaurant in a 16th century timbered building is unusual in itself. The interior of the building has not changed much from its original struture, but this has been incorporated into the restaurant's design very well. From the main hallway area, which now houses the bar, there are several sets of rickety steps leading to L'Orient's beautiful themed rooms. There is a large Japanese room at the front of the building and towards the back, two smaller more intimate dining rooms decorated in Thai and Chinese styles.

Like the building, L'Orient's menu is also divided into sections:- Cantonese Xchange, Shanghai Vice, Forbidden City, Bangkok Nights, Malaysian Mist, Toyko Joe and, for the vegetarians, Green Cuisine. Each section contains a selection of about four starters, five mains, two rice or noodle dishes and two sides. You don't have to stick to one section for your meal - you get free choice so the range of options is huge!

The staff are very accomodating. On my first visit,the manager made an effort to fit us in as it was a special occasion, even though they were booked up. The service is polite and efficient.

The food is excellent and, on the whole, reasonably priced. I particularly recommend the "Sushi Deluxe" starter, which was delicious and a came in a huge portion. My own starter, "South Sea Cups," made of small pancake cups filled with mixed seafood, was good but nothing special, however the "Mongolian Lamb" main and "Lotus Roots" side dish more than made up for it. I think our one mistake was to order the "Chilean Black Cod with champagne sauce." This was cooked beautifully but, as with most luxury foods, did not justify its price (£30 for one small piece of cod).

If you happen to be going for Sunday Brunch the dim sum selection is fantastic, particularly the three types of thai meatballs. A word of warning though -when they say the complete dim sum is suitable for 2, they mean 2 elephants. It includes 16 seperate dishes and could feed four easily, which, I'm guessing, is why it costs £35.

I would give you a better idea of price, but we ordered silly expensive things on both our visits. I think 2 mains, a noodle/rice dish and a vegetable side (i.e a main course for 2) would come to about £30 if you don't order the black cod or lobster.

Apologies for the very long review but there is so much to talk about with regard to this place! Thoroughly recommended.
Comment on this reader review

Ros
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, May 10, 2006