Restaurants

Imperial China offers superior dim sum in an attractive, light-drenched, wood-panelled setting. The quality and freshness of ingredients is notable, and the food is authentic and reasonably priced (although menu translations can be misleading). Siu mai (pork dumplings) can be bland elsewhere, but here came alive with a crab roe topping that gave a sharp hint of the sea. Pork and egg congee (rice porridge) which, along with chickens feet is not recommended to English-reading diners, according to the menu was cooked in a rich broth, and boosted by a coriander and spring onion garnish. Beef and pineapple dumplings may sound questionable, but were delicious, presented in an exquisite butterfly shape with two coriander stalks as antennae. There were serious problems with the service on our visit, however. Staff had limited English (the weekend crowd was 70% Chinese), and we waited over an hour for some dishes, despite frequent reminders. One dish was even brought after the bill. Soundproofing the karaoke room adjacent to the first-floor dining room would be a good investment too; on a Sunday afternoon, we suffered all of Whitney Houstons greatest hits.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008