Chai Pan (Essex)

The first time we visited Chai Pan my wife and I had a most pleasent experience, our chosen sushi was served in six pieces as advertised with appropriate sauce,it was perfect and so we returned a week later,this time without the sauces,[ ie plum and sweet chile], again things were pleasent and tasty, the chief commented on how to mix Wasabi with Soya sauce and how things were eaten in Japan, we were impressed and enjoyed his imput at our table so we returned a week later.

A week later and Sushi was full of butter, greasy taste which left myself and my wife with an uneasy after taste in our mouths, we walked along the high road burping feeling uneasy with our stomachs it was there and then we agreed to try somewhere else in Loughton.

Surprise Cafe Rouge of Chiswick is also in Loughton.

I hope this review was unbiased but conveyed the truth, a solicisitor stamp shall follow, ha ,ha.

P.S atmosphere mark is down to my wife puting up with it all
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Andre
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 0
Friday, May 25, 2007

My Wife and I ate at Chai Pan before the owner merged it with tuscany when it was based a few hundred yards up the road. I got the impression that it had only opened recently because the manager was constantly running through with his waiting staff what they need to do when certain things happen,. i.e What to do if a customer pays by cheque. I looked at his staff who formed a semi circle around him and they looked like new students in a dojo in their crisp black japanese uniforms listening to his every word. We then turned our attention to the manager who was in full flow and he reminded us of that character Mr Brittas from Brittas empire, totally patronising but funny with it.

To watch him in action was bizarre and very surreal we could help ourselves and laughed at his every action gesture or word.

Mr Brittas came over to our table and eventually took our order after explaining the delights of the eastern culture and how best to experience it's culinary offerings. He then persisted to interupt us at any given opportunity to muse over some idea that he had based on japanese teachings and blah bloody blah blah blah. At one point I thought he was going to sit with us to provide us with blow by blow commentry on the dishes we were eating. He eventually left us alone and picked on some other unsuspecting couple.

The standard of the japanese food was extremely good and comparitive in price to the west end. The waiting staff were polite and delivered an extremely good service with Mr Brittas delivering unintenional comedy throughout the evening.

My wife and I have not eaten at it's new location but we do get the occassional take away and the food is still top class.
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Steven
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 02, 2007

I had my first sushi experience in this restaurant back in about March 2006. The food was exceptional, especially the tuna sashimi.

The waiter was superb, guiding me and my partner through the menu and making recommendations on how much to order. The price was quite reasonable too.

My only negative is that the place, as stated before, is so difficult to find! We drove up and down the high street several times,l then had to call to ask where they were - it's hidden behind what I believe is an Itlian restaurant. For what I believe is the only Japanese / Sushi restaurant in Essex they ought to make themselves more apparent on the high street.

Will definitely go back - now I know where it is it won't be a problem!
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Hannah Ellway - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, March 27, 2007

we were very disappointed at the standard of the food and service and what made it worse was that fact that the owner had the cheek to infer that we had not perhaps eaten that type of food before and therefore did not know what to expect. which considering we have lived in Japan was quite insulting.
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Brian Moore
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, February 21, 2007

My husband and I went here for lunch on a Sunday two weeks ago. We were very impressed with the food. From the outside it's quite hidden as it sits at the back of another restaurant called Tuscany.

We had edamame, miso soup and and their selection of shushi, priced at about £22 for the platter. Well it was very fresh and very authentic. Having eaten at Nobu, I would say that the food compares well. Obviously the location and glammour is not quite the same, but for a local which is well priced(and if you love sushi) you'll love this!
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Louise
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, July 19, 2006