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Barshu
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CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT FOLLOWING A KITCHEN FIRE
Bar Shu is a shining example of a regional Chinese restaurant (in this case Sichuan) that hasn’t compromised on authenticity yet is highly successful. Inside, faux Ming Dynasty furniture, dark stone floors and decorative wood carvings convey a classic teahouse atmosphere, while a bar lit in neon-blue adds a modern contrast. The menu contains photos that simplify ordering. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. We started with ‘man and wife offal slices’: thinly sliced tripe, heart and tongue, slicked with spicy-hot chilli-oil and sesame sauce, topped with crushed toasted peanuts. Another starter of crunchy ribbons of jellyfish and cucumber, dressed with sweet-sour dark vinegar, formed a perfect accompaniment. Main courses also delighted our taste buds: boiled pork slices in a dense, rich chilli-oil sauce; tenderised beef in a hot, numbing broth of fresh green sichuan pepper; and aubergines glazed with ‘fish fragrant’ sauce (sweet, vinegary, salty, garlicky, hot). Crushed dried chillies gave the pork a deep, savoury heat – entirely different to the fragrant, almost flowery numbing sensation imparted by green peppers in the beef. Plentiful rice and tea are recommended to ease the spicy assault. This is food for the brave, with great rewards.Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 28 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 5LF
- Area: Soho
- Tel: 020 7287 6688
- www.bar-shu.co.uk
- Category: Chinese
- Travel: Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road tube
- Times: Meals served noon-11pm Mon-Thur, Sun; noon-11.30pm Fri, Sat
- Price: Main courses £8.50-£28
- Credit cards: AmEx, MC, V
- Services:
- Available for hire: Separate room for parties, seats 15
- Child facilities: Babies and children welcome: high chairs
- Disabled: toilet
- Function room: Separate room for parties, seats 14
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Miranda__84
Originally from Scotland, I moved down to London just over three years ago. It took a while but I absolutely love this city now (even though it...
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The food was excellent but the service was rushed, especially toward the end of the meal when they evidently wanted us out. It is expensive by Sogo standards and our bill wasn't itemised so we had no idea if service was included. I am unfamiliar with Sichuan food and intend to try again but not at Barshu.
I ate there on 9/26/09. It was the best Szechuan food I have ever had. The service was very courteous and reasonably prompt (perhaps one of multiple courses took awhile). I give it five stars.
I have just got home from a VERY VERY disappointing visit to Bar Shu. I had made a number of previous visits and thought it was a good restaurant so this time decided it was the venue of a special outing. I have never been so rushed - if we hadn’t lingered we would have been in and out in 45 mins - I wouldn’t mind if I was grabbing a bite and paying Wong Kei prices, but this was meant to be a special occasion. All our dishes arrived at the same time 5 mins after ordering - and the bill arrived without asking – I feel as though we were pushed out the door. I know the Chinese restaurants are not renowned for their friendly service - but there should be some understanding that if you are charging high prices and marketing yourself as a top resto, then you do have some responsibility to offer a decent level of service and make the customer feel special and not a mug – as I know feel. I hope Bar Shu pulls up its socks and treats customers with respect - because the food was nice - until then I strongly suggest patrons take their business to the other Sichuan restaurants in London instead.
Sorry, I forgot to use the star rating with my previous comment about the 'new' Barshu... two out of five.. one for nice interior decor and one for polite service!
Love this restaurant.
Service is as good as any you'd find in a Chinese restaurant, which is to say, it's never going to be Gordon Ramsey on Royal Hospital Road, but as long as it's not Wong Kei's get over yourself and enjoy the food, which is amazing!
Visited Bar Shu today for the first time. We asked for a table for 4 and were pointed to a table by a doorway. We asked for the next table in but were told it was reserved, as was the other bigger table by the window. Not 1 minute after we sat down, a tourist couple came in & were seated at the table for 4 we had requested !
IIn the middle of our meal, a party of 6 came in and asked for a table. They were asked if they had a reservation and they replied no. But guess what ? They were seated at the table by the window !
Overall the food was decent, but the service was simply appalling. We asked a waitress for more tea and she just about shouted at us to wait.
There was just one toilet downstairs, which had a queue, but for some strange reason they just didn;t allow us to use the one upstairs. We have heard that some Chinese restaurants don;t have good service, but this one was absolutely bad.
We won;t be coming back any time soon.
Second time visited Bar Shu. I had very good experience with them in the first time. Fanstanic food, no complain on service.
However bad experience from last nite. Made reservation for 18.30, late arrival at 19.00 (no courteous call). Went upstair, we declined twice to sit the table we want for four. Fair enough, though no customers arrive till end of our meal. Inflexible table arrangement!!
Quick food serving. During the meal, numerous attempts to get attention for service but lack of courteous and shift respond when waving for service; ice water without a single cube of ice; tea pot filling was slow.
Abt an hour later, staffs came to speak to us, 'we have to leave in 15 mins due to another booking was made for another customer' and one was supervisor insisted he told me we have to leave by 20.00 as we were late. I refused to leave as I never been told when booking was made and on arrival. The supervisor turned a straight face on me and walked away without a apology. How the hell would a restaruant only allow customers to stay for just 1.5 hour??
My comment abt Bar Shu was lack of customer handling skill and poor service.
I hv to admit that the food was very good but appealling service. I'll never visit again and wont recommend Bar Shu to anyone demand top service and restaurant experience.
Mr Johnny
07-08-2008