London has had Chinese restaurants for well over a century. Once exotic, they are now ubiquitous -many are quite awful, especially those fast in and out places in Chinatown (the area bordered by Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road and Lisle Street) where, unless you are very lucky, you would well enjoy a supermarket Chinese takeaway more.<\/p>\n
You could do better with London mini-chain Royal China. Keeping with Chinese traditions, it has round tables (what other sort of restaurant has round tables?) so it\u2019s best for larger groups, sharing food and probably not a place to dine alone.<\/p>\n
We went to the Queensway branch \u2013 it\u2019s the oldest in the six strong group and convenient for Kensington Gardens.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s barn-like, (so don\u2019t sit too far back) with parts sadly in need of a new coat of paint although it could be considered comfortably shabby. It\u2019s popular with Chinese diners \u2013 the big attraction is the Dim Sum menu at lunchtime. You might have to ask about this \u2013 some items are not always translated \u2013 or you could go for the set Dim Sum, essentially a sampling menu. Either way, expect to pay around \u00a37 a head if you just want a starter \u2013 double or treble that if your wish is for a dim sum meal.<\/p>\n
The food is Cantonese \u2013 the most widely travelled cuisine from China. But it\u2019s not the usual stuff from the local takeaway. Instead, we ate Saut\u00e9ed Squid with Peppers and Black Bean Sauce (\u00a311.90) plus (it arrives on the table in best Chinese style in no special order), Steamed Chicken with Mushroom and Chinese Sausage(\u00a312.80) and Saut\u00e9ed Pak-Choi with Garlic (\u00a39.80). We tried the Lotus Leaf Rice (\u00a39.60) but it\u2019s one of those \u201cwhy do they bother\u201d dishes and so we decided we preferred plain rice (\u00a32.80).<\/p>\n
Drink can be jasmine tea (best choice) or Chinese beer (second choice) as most wines refuse to pair with this cuisine. But there is wine for those who insist.<\/p>\n
Expect to pay around \u00a345 for a full meal \u2013 the set menus are a bit cheaper but tend to be obviously tedious.<\/p>\n
Even if it is sometimes a bit hit and miss with some of its \u201cinnovation\u201d somewhat pointless, Royal China is so superior to the vast majority of Chinese eateries that it\u2019s well worth a visit. But don\u2019t forget those big round tables \u2013 and take your friends and family to share every dish.<\/p>\n
And as we come to the Year of the Pig – Chinese New Year (Tuesday 5 February 2019), Royal China Restaurants across London will give each table a special red envelope with some containing special gifts.<\/p>\n
Each \u201clei see\u201d, as they are pronounced in Cantonese, will offer a fortune message; with some of the red envelopes containing a prize. The red colour of the envelope symbolises good luck and is said to ward off evil spirits. And there will be the special Lion Dance \u2013 believed to bring good luck and fine fortune.<\/p>\n
Royal China Queensway<\/p>\n
13 Queensway, London W2 4QJ<\/p>\n
Phone 020 7221 2535<\/p>\n