Mandarin Palace

Restaurants

Restaurants and cafés

559-561 Cranbrook Road

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Time Out says

Tue Oct 16 2012

If EastEnders had a Chinese restaurant, it would be the Mandarin Palace. Clichéd Chinese motifs – jade-green ceramic screens, vases, dark woods and pretty lanterns – fill the restaurant, and there’s even a (spotlessly clean) carpet underfoot, all of which makes the space feel comfortable and homely. It’s a feeling heightened by the friendly staff, who chat and gossip with the numerous regulars.

And the food is a delight. Set menus, including the likes of steamed fresh scallops and baked lobster, are tempting, as are dishes such as hotpot with jellyfish and crispy eel with honey sauce, but we visited on a Sunday, so opted for a mix of dim sum and main courses. Dim sum portions were generous, and included light-as-air cha siu bao, and plump, delicious har gau and siu mai. A plate of three mixed meats was tasty and plentiful. Vegetables are pricey, starting around £7, but are offset by distinctly good value in other dishes – the dim sum, in particular, is cheaper than in most West End restaurants, and served with a laid-back air that you rarely find in frantic Chinatown counterparts.

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Venue location

Address:
Mandarin Palace 559-561 Cranbrook Road
London
IG2 6JZ

Phone:
020 8550 7661
Opening hours:
Lunch served noon-3.30pm Mon-Sat. Dinner served 6-11.30pm Mon-Thur; 6pm-midnight Fri, Sat. Meals served noon-11.30pm Sun. Dim sum served noon-3.30pm Mon-Sat; noon-5pm Sun
Transport:
Tube: Gants Hill tube
Price:
Main courses £8.50-£30. Dim sum £2.50-£4.50. Set meal £24 per person (minimum 2); £29 per person (minimum 4)
Map
1. Mandarin Palace
  - 559-561 Cranbrook Road
    London
    IG2 6JZ
  - 020 8550 7661
  - 51.577166,0.067593

Facilities:
Eating and drinking facilities. Restaurant and bar facilities. Take away. General facilities. Private rooms
Occasions:
Going in a group
Type of event:
Parties

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Comments & ratings

(2 ratings)

It was my first visit (and last) to the mandarin palace, gants hill. I ordered various dim sum and singapore noodles. However, entwined amongst the noodles was a long black hair. When i showed the waitress (i left the hair amongst the noodles) she took the plate (evidence!) away....there was no apology. The older woman stampeded over to me (i think the owner) holding a brown 'string' of bamboo and waving it at me. She arrogantly told me that what i had seen was a bamboo strand similar to what she was holding, and not a hair...still no apology, just confrontation. She suggested she'd bring us a 'free' plate of noodles. I told her that i felt sick and would be unable to eat anything else (i only ate 2 mouthfuls)....still no apology, just an evil glare. She brought another plate of noodles, but i'd rather have eaten the dirt off the street rather than that venom. A vicious looking waitress (wearing glasses) came over to 'have a go' at me! She said that i should listen to other people (meaning her and the owner) and that it was a bamboo strand that i had seen and that i was wrong. (2 others at my table also confirmed it was a hair). I asked her not to speak to me anymore and to just walk away......still no apology!!! At this point i was more disgusted by the staff than by the food. I was quite shaken by this experience. It's a shame that I wasted any money at all on this crap, and paying the service charge was a violation. What a joke! I'd never go back there even if i was offered money to do so

DISGUSTING STAFF....& FOOD Sun Oct 21 2012
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Good presentation of food but the food was cold! I had roast duck & rice and I was disappointed! Roast duck was boney and hard! Lady that gave us food had no customer service skills! Not going back there!

nick Sun Sep 30 2012
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I would rather pay a bit more for quality than peanuts for rubbish. This restaurant has stood the test of time and has been there for over 30 years. They must be doing something right as the place is usually packed with Chinese.......A good sign..

greg Fri Mar 30 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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The one thing not mentioned, which I think is vital,is expect to pay West End prices - the food is decent, but not at that price - way too over priced.

Vas Tue Feb 14 2012
Rated as: 2/5
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