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Imperial China

White Bear Yard, 25A Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA Full details & map

Restaurant: Cantonese

Time Out says 2 Users say 3/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Sep 27 2011

A little courtyard, including a bridge over a carp pool (watch the whoppers blowing bubbles), gives Imperial China a sense of space and tranquillity unique in Chinatown. In summer, open french windows accentuate the vibe, as does the roomy wood-panelled interior and the serene staff, smart in their dinky tunics.

Dim sum has long been the speciality here; the list is long and varied, and we can vouch for the deep-fried stuffed pastry with pork (juicy filling, delectable pastry), the unusual steamed glutinous rice with meat wrapped in yam (dense but satisfying logs) and the enticingly fruity 'steamed beef with pineapple dumplings in butterfly shape'.

Other choices were passable but lacked delicacy: the fried taro paste croquette missing its melting layer, the prawn cheung fun a little floury. Most annoying was the delivery of dishes. Gai lan (perfectly crunchy chinese broccoli) had gone cold when the next dish arrived.

The wine list could do with more than three choices by the glass too. Next time we'll sample the full menu, especially the alluring list headed 'typical Chinese dishes, may not be suitable for Europeans' taste': baked lobster coated with salted duck egg; salted fish cubes with aubergine in hotpot…

Tags: Asian, Chinese, Cantonese, Business, Groups, Late night, Central, Chinatown, Mid-range, Restaurant

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Imperial China details

Address

Imperial China

White Bear Yard, 25A Lisle Street WC2H 7BA

Transport Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tube

Telephone

020 7734 3388

Imperial China website

Meals served noon-11.30pm Mon-Sat; 11.30am-10.30pm Sun. Dim sum served noon-5pm daily

Main courses £5.90-£26.50. Dim sum £2.30-£3.60. Set meal £19-£35 per person (minimum 2). Minimum £10

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Tables outdoors ( 5, courtyard ), Babies and children admitted, Booking advisable, Separate rooms for parties ( seating 10-70 ), Disabled ( toilet )

Imperial China map

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Comments & ratings 3/5 (Average of 2 ratings)

By Glenys Andrews - Dec 17 2011

5/5

We had heard good reports from a Chinese freind who visits regularly. We were not disappointed. The food was excellent and we thought it was very good value for money. We had booked in advance by e-mail for ourselves and two guests and the duty manager made us most welcome. The service was attentive, helpful (we ordered red wine by mistake and it was 'no problem' to change to white (we ended up having both!) and efficient in spite of the fact that the place was crowded. We'll definitely be back!

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By jim sutton - Oct 6 2011

1/5

The rudest service I ever encountered. After requesting to pay the tips (12.5% Discretionary!) in cash and not debit card, the waitresses proceeded to pressure intimidate and humiliate my wife and I in the middle of the room while talking loudly in Chinese between themselves, giving us evil stares. Don't go if you are not rich, not Chinese (racist comments as I am white and my wife asian), and like human decency and respect. Also the prices seem to go up £0.20 a dish every 2 months.
I was a regular... never again