The Lovestruck lowdown: If you’re a fan of Chinese food, The Royal China restaurants are considered some of the most authentic and luxurious Chinese eateries in London. With branches in Baker Street, Bayswater, Fulham, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Canary Wharf, wherever you are based you won’t have to travel too far. Lovestruck checked out The Royal China Baker Street, the group’s main branch and the décor was stylish and chic, with black granite and contrasting golden features and large tanks filled with lobsters and crabs. Despite being a weekday lunch, it packed with diners, a sure sign that the food is as good as they say it is.
What’s special about it? The restaurants are known for their Dim Sum, which are served from 12noon to 5pm every day and made freshly on site by the Dim Sum chef, who works alongside the restaurant’s Head Chef.
The menu is changed seasonally but expect a range of seafood, meat and vegetarian spring rolls, dumplings and buns. The dishes are great for sharing on a date, although you need to be able to wield your chopsticks like a pro, and also may face the “one or two bites?” dilemma.
If Dim Sum isn’t your thing, there is a normal a la carte menu, offering an array of Cantonese and traditional Chinese dishes. Or if you are feeling like a feast – or want to really impress your date – there is a seven-course set tasting menu. We recommend washing it all down with some authentic and refreshing oolong tea, which is topped up by staff throughout your meal.
Anything else to know? Yes! It has a celebrity following and showbiz chefs Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal have been spotted here, so you might want to keep your eyes peeled for celebs!
Overall date rating: 8/10. For Chinese food, this is head and shoulders above Chinatown’s offerings. The food is fun and the atmosphere is lively.
Have you been one of London’s Royal China restaurants? What did you think? Do you fancy it? Tell us all @Lovestruck!
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