http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum <b>Ping Pong Dim Sum</b><br />London, 45 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JL, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/161ks8
Review by misstravelbug

Rating: 3.00
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So it's not the most authentic chinese dim sum restaurant it's more asian fusion and caters to western tastes. The decor is always cool and the service is great. The dim sums are fairly hit and miss...a bit overpriced for what you get. The jasmin tea with the opening flowers is pretty cool. It's a classier joint that your typical chinatown dim sum restaurant.]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:55:18 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/161ks8837234652 misstravelbug 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1p0gb8
Review by AndrewS

Rating: 2.00
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Food tastes OK, but not fresh, food like you buy in supermarket,then put in microwave......]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:49:23 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1p0gb823916286 AndrewS 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1s3a97
Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00
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It's not world-beating, the food isn't stellar and the prices aren't rock-bottom. But for good-enough dim sum in a central location, washed down by some rather nice cocktails, you can do a lot worse. Of the two major dim-sum chains in London I'd say Dim T just about has the edge, but I've always enjoyed my experiences in Ping Pong. As other reviewers have pointed out, it's perfect for a boozy lunch or evening with a group of mates (it's huge so you're likely to get a table, at least) and if you treat the dim sum like glorified bar snacks and don't worry too much about their providence, you can't go far wrong.]]> Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:22:37 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1s3a97621084796 chrisp 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1k79v8
Review by topruss

Rating: 5.00
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ive never tried dim sum before but loved what i ate here , the resturaunt looked cool and quite a funky crowd]]> Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:42:31 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1k79v81212586808 topruss 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1q07s9
Review by ilovelucy

Rating: 3.00
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Having heard my friends rave about Ping Pong and declaring it to be the best, I thought I should better give it a go.

Arrived hungry at noon with cousin Jacky at the Great Marlborough branch last Sunday. We decided to go for the Lazy Sunday deal where you can eat as much as you like off the menu - excluding the specials and signature dishes for £16.50.

Excitedly we started ordering off the menu - ticking off about 12 dishes on the dim sum sheet they give you. Soon enough they arrived - we asked them to come in two batches so as to clutter our small table.

Good points
- Ingredients, in particular the seafood and meat were very fresh. The dumplings are handmade unlike some Chinese restaurants.
- Service was good and friendly - although they first of all charged us the full price which we had to rectify
- Innovative dumplings - great choice of fillings
- Unlike a lot of chinese restaurants, they have lots of choice of vegetarians

Bad points
- Smaller portions and more expensive. Sticky rice came in 3 small wraps - and hardly any meat or prawns were in it
- Vietnamese spring rolls - tiny and burnt in some places
- Steamed tofu and wasabi - tasted really odd
- Choi sum came in a tiny little dish
- Tables were so close to each other - and people were seated right next to us even though the place was empty
- Pastry for the dumplings had a thicker texture and therefore stuck to the baskets
- Not sure about the glass for the tea - was too hot to hold it

All in all it was good to try Ping Pong, I think if you had never eaten dim sum in a traditional restaurant before you would think it was great. The place does look modern and sophisticated, the waiters in their uniforms blend in beautifully and little touches such as the golden teapot and the flower tea made the whole experince very pleasant -not what you'd expect from somewhere in Chinatown. I do give the Ping Pong team credit as they have pulled off a great marketing feat in promoting a cuisine that has been in the background for some time. Even the chinese restaurants have profited from the burst in the cuisine's popularity and started to serve dim sum later and later and places such as New World - have encouraged Westerners by hiring English speaking staff. Hopefully it will give novice dim sum lovers the courage to try the more traditional restaurants such as the Royal China chain, Imperial China and Phoenix Palace.




Bad points
-
]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:47:55 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1q07s91511606780 ilovelucy 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1o1727
Review by Coffeegeek

Rating: 2.00
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Great concept but the food just isn't good enough. The décor, cocktails and staff uniforms are great but if you want good dim sum try elsewhere.

The food is prepared in a "centralised kitchen" (which is what I would call a factory) then delivered to the restaurants to be cooked. As a business concept this works well as it means smaller kitchens and more room for tables and paying customers, however, the food suffers. This chain was quickly established and the owner has already sold the business.

I guess itâ¬"s good to get people to try dim sum but thereâ¬"s much better to be had in London.
]]> Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:54:33 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1o1727566809428 Coffeegeek 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1l97v6
Review by SiReine

Rating: 3.00
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A bit like Chris I don't thing foodies would be overly impressed by the cuisine at Ping Pong.
I guess with such a name noone can take them seriously for a start!!
It's just a nice canteen for Liberty's shoppers and staff from local media companies.
It is great fun as a group, but ask to be sat downstairs on one of the round tables.
It's also perfect for a light girly lunch, you'll each leave around £10 lighter having had a good gossip and a giggle!]]> Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:21:40 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1l97v6730347157 SiReine 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/183797
Review by ChrisHarrison

Rating: 3.00
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The dimsum might be westernised, but it's still tasty, plentiful and solid value. Despite having a cocktail and a few beers around the table, the bill was surprisingly reasonable.

We went in a large group and it was definitely the best way to experience it, go nuts ordering a load of dishes and everyone can pile in. I'd second others' suggestion of not ordering everything at once - stagger it, not least because it is all more filling than you think.

The food is mostly freshly cooked, the steamed dishes all seemed especially fresh.

It won't blow your socks off or convert the unconverted, but if you like this kind of stylish Eastern eating you'll feel right at home. ]]> Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:26:49 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/18379758598324 ChrisHarrison 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1x76o6
Review by ollym

Rating: 3.00
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Maybe I'm difficult to please, but I wasn't blown away by Ping Pong. Important things first: the cocktails were delicious, packed with fresh fruit juices and herbs, authentic but in my opinion too ice-y and lacking punch (perhaps I'm too much of a seasoned drinker).

The venue looks fantastic - all high ceilings and dark wood.. although the rather cramped seating arrangements, so common in these places, mean that eating here is very much a shared experience (in my case, it meant sharing a table with a rather amorous couple).

To me, there is something clinical about ordering food by just tagging meals off a list.. but it arrived quickly and tasted fresh. Dishes are between £2 and £5.. for three dimsum parcels, or a small bowl of noodles/soup. I'm not sure I'd consider this great value, it was enjoyable and fresh, but just not fantastic.. I was expecting amazing things and left slightly hungry and slightly disappointed.
]]> Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:47:28 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1x76o6652084838 ollym 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/118647
Review by totuck

Rating: 2.00
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The dim sum is very westernized and inauthentic, but I think that they're just serving to their clientel. The place is clean and the food was very tasty for what it was. But it has to be some of the worst service I've ever experience in my entire life. I've been a couple of times ( I don't know why I keep going back ). Once, I asked for a fork 3 times and never got one. Another time, when I beckoned a waiter back to my table after he removed a dish I wasn't finished with and then he continued to be very rude, I refused to pay the discretionary service charge. He then threatened to do something to my food if I ever returned. I haven't. ]]> Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:49:05 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1186471288212269 totuck 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1p1518
Review by gizmogirl

Rating: 4.00
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It's quite Pricey and poor selection. The food however is very tasty and freshly made. Highly recommend their pork puff and sticky rice!
]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:17:58 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1p15181678998428 gizmogirl 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1h94l7
Review by Jimbo

Rating: 4.00
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There's not much left to add, really. Just that their service was as good as Paddington Street's. Oh, and that I can never get enough of their crispy prawn balls. Yummmy!]]> Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:55:06 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1h94l7128327218 Jimbo 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1c24i8
Review by LNR

Rating: 4.00
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Yes Chinatown is close but it's all a bit neon lighting and wipe-clean tablecloths there!

Ping Pong is cool and funky, the dim sum is excellent (and good value) and the cocktails are stupendous :D]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:55:01 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1c24i81158377984 LNR 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1y8338
Review by antimega

Rating: 3.00
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Decent dim sum, but Chinatown is so close!]]> Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:00:51 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1y83381752045413 antimega 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1x1318
Review by johnspier

Rating: 4.00
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Great place, good vibe.

Been twice and had a great time on both occasions. As the place is always very busy it can take the staff a bit longer to get to you, but they have always been polite so I've had no problems.
The cocktails are fantastic, lovely flavours and a good amount of booze.
The food is great and it's very easy to get carried away and order too much, go slow and you can always order again - that's my advice!]]> Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:56:56 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1d24i8/ping-pong-dim-sum/1x13181285337129 johnspier 51.514005948153 -0.13945166380669