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Barshu

28 Frith Street, W1D 5LF Full details & map

Restaurant: Sichuanese

Time Out says Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Sep 29 2011

In 2006, Barshu exploded on to the London scene and, along with sister restaurants Baozi Inn and Ba Shan, has become the capital's flag bearer for Sichuan cooking.

The dining rooms on three floors are reminiscent of a Beijing teahouse, furnished with heavy-duty dark wood, decorated with woodcarvings, and softened by red lanterns.

Our lunch began with a skilful assembly of slices of tender pork adorned with soft silk gourd. Offal also makes an appearance, with fast-fried ducks' tongues, and beef tripe with chilli.

The menu entices diners towards the fiery stuff, almost daring you to take on the dishes marked 'very hot'. So it was hardly surprising when we received a blistering smack in the face from some beautifully cooked, spicy dry-fried lamb ribs, the meat almost falling off the bone, served with crunchy preserved mustard greens.

Gong bau prawns with celery and cashew nuts also ensured an immediate endorphin high. So, Barshu is still a scorcher, although we felt like shaking the glum staff, who insist on moving around with the handbrake on.

Tags: Asian, Chinese, Sichuanese, Late night, Something different, Wow factor, Central, Soho, Expensive, Restaurant

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Barshu details

Address

Barshu

28 Frith Street W1D 5LF

Transport Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road tube

Telephone

020 7287 6688

Barshu website

Meals served noon-11pm Mon-Thur, Sun; noon-11.30pm Fri, Sat

Main courses £8.90-£28.90

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Facilities

Babies and children welcome ( high chairs ), Booking advisable, Separate room for parties ( seats 24 ), Available for hire, Disabled ( toilet )

Barshu map

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Comments & ratings

By holly_b - Dec 4 2011

Party of 5, our bill was £174... £35 per person... This incl service charge & only 3 beers

We had a bad start as they lost our booking , the manager was quite rude & we had to wait half hr. They finally placed us downstairs where there were only 2 other customers which was a contrast to the bustle upstairs.

The cold Sichuan chicken was tasty & meat was tender, The dry-fried green beans was tasty, we ended up asking for a second portion, The numbing & hot dried beef was a bit too dry, the red-braised pork was good, with a lot of fat which makes the taste, so it may not be everyone's liking. The fragrant chicken in pile of chillies was tasty, the chicken consisted of small crispy bits.

The only thing which we thought was quite disappointing was the sweet sour ribs, which didn't have much meat on, and the assorted meat dish, which was overpriced, considering half of it was luncheon meat which is bought fm a can (spam).

I noticed their menu online doesn't have the price list on, so this is from what I can remember:
Assorted meats (luncheon meat, intestines, pigs blood) - £18.90
Dry-fried green beans - £8.90
Red braised pork - £8.90
Fish fragrant pork slivers -£8.90
Rice per person - £2.50
Tsing Tao beer - £3.80

Despite the bad start, our waiter was attentive & polite. Overall food was tasty, but I did find the bill slightly overpriced. The final bill was written in Chinese, as most restaurants in Chinatown is, but for the price you're paying, it really should be itemised in English too. We were able to read the bill & didn't have any problems, as so many others commented that they were over being charged. Although I did enjoy the food, I'm not sure it's special enough for me to return, as I know more authentic restaurants with far more reasonable prices (My Old Place, Aldgate)

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By Cheese kallandes - Jun 4 2011

this was one of the strangest dining experiences. The chicken dish was three quarters chilli peppers and tasted like it was singed by a blast furnace.

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By food lover - Apr 20 2011

only went there once and been put off by their service. I would never go there again. what's more, we paid cash of £ 80 for the bill of £71, but they never give the changes back, quite annoy about it. £ 71 is already including the service charge, and if we were happy, we would give more tips, but we were not and it was our right to decide if give more tips! but I would give them credit on their food.

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By M.S - Mar 19 2011

Awful service. Food was mediocre and much too expensive for what it is. I might not have minded if the atmosphere and the service were decent but both were hugely lacking. An experience to be avoided.

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By Julia - Jul 2 2010

We were overcharged by £16 but never gave us an explanation as to why they did that. Not impressed, food was ok but way too expensive for what we would pay for.