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Chinese Experience - review by lenalouise

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:23:50 +0000

Chinese Experience - review by lenalouise

Rating: 4.3

Location: 118 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7437 0377

Website: http://www.chineseexperience.com

My friend Michelle had come up from Brighton for a few days to work (she's a facepainter at the aquarium). She's half chinese and missed eating chinese food, especially dim sum so we agreed on a meal out. Problem was that she finished work at 6 which is when most places stop doing dims um and that's how I came across Chinese Experience.

The place didn't look bad, they'd made an effort to present themselves well compared to other chinese restaurants in the area and this was also reflected in the dishes. We hadn't booked so we ended up waiting for 20 minutes which was fine. I noticed that apart from me and Michelle, there weren't any chinese people in the restaurant.

We ordered 6-7 different dim sum but it seemed to be a bit expensive in the end. I think it was Â£30 for 2 but usually I pay around Â£20 for 2. The dim sum were really average on flavour and texture and were nothing special. The presentation was a bit nicer and looked more contemporary than normal dim sum. I think I'll only go back if I was really desperate for dim sum in the evening.

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by laurierose21

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:29:18 +0000

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by laurierose21

Rating: 4.7

Location: Downstairs at The Corner Store, WC2E 7BN, London, United Kingdom

Website: http://www.thefunnyside.info/

Tags: friendly, pop, standard pub food, traditional pub

I had my Hen night at the Funny Side, we ate upstairs at the Corner Store. It took an hour to be served our food and we had 15 minutes to eat it before the comedy show started. I had made the restaurant staff aware that we were booking both and they advised us it would be ok. We just about got to eat our main course - no time for desert. They had ran out of fish, chicken and cheese (all by 6pm) - the staff got our drinks wrong and one of my friends meals wasn't put on the order so she got given a bowl of chips.

Comedy show was brilliant - no probs with going back there. Then we went back upstairs for a few more drinks and decided to have some shots. We were left waiting at the bar for almost 15 minutes whilst they served everyone else because they couldn't find the person who knew how to do the shots!! How stupid! So we ordered a cocktail and left.

I would def go back to the comedy club, but I would never eat or drink in the Corner Store ever again. They can just about speak English too!

The Bishop - review by londonpup

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:03:17 +0000

The Bishop - review by londonpup

Rating: 3.7

Location: 27 Lordship Lane, SE22 8EW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8693 3994

Tags: relaxed, dog, dog-friendly, mature, friendly

I was taken to The Bishop last weekend for the first time and was quite impressed. My owner was meeting some friends there to show me off (it isn't long since I got my shots and was able to start going out so she's still in that excitable stage I suppose!) and we spent a most enjoyable couple of hours sitting outside while they all caught up.

I found the wooden benches quite pleasant; smooth and wide enough for me to lie down comfortably. I was glad as I didn't much like the look of the pavement - why do humans throw so much crap on the floor? The bar staff smiled at me and patted me on the head as they collected glasses, but frustratingly, neither me or my owner realised just how dog-friendly this pub is - we've since discovered we'd have been perfectly welcome inside!! One can never assume such things but we'll be asking around a lot more now - after all, even a puppy has a hectic social calendar these days.

Chinese Experience - review by Micheke1977

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:06:20 +0000

Chinese Experience - review by Micheke1977

Rating: 4.3

Location: 118 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7437 0377

Website: http://www.chineseexperience.com

Tags: chinese, family & home feel, good value

We went as a party of 5 for a birthday lunch.

We arrived at 2:30pm and were quickly seated without a reservation which was a bonus.

All of us thought the food was amazing. one of us eating had just come back from China and was really surprised by the quality of the food. We didn't go too mad and ordered both the set menus and some Dim Sum.

Portion sizes were just about perfect but the best thing about the place was the nice relaxed atmosphere. We ended up staying for about 2 hours with no one rushing us before we'd finished.

The only thing that wasn't my cup of tea was the desert of fired milk (reminded me too much of baby sick!!) but the others really liked it!

We ended up paying about Â£20 per head including service etc which for the centre of town for a sit down meal is fantastic considering the amount of food that was brought to the table.

Definately the best chinese i've had in London........there is however another place i need to try in Wandsworth Town that was recommended by one of the guys there...when i find out what its called i'll post it!

Chinese Experience - review by wandering_star

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:24:10 +0000

Chinese Experience - review by wandering_star

Rating: 4.3

Location: 118 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7437 0377

Website: http://www.chineseexperience.com

Tags: lively, good value, chinese

If you were wandering around Chinatown looking for a place to eat, Chinese Experience might not be the one you would go for - very plain windows, canteen-style feel to the dining room, and a menu with photos... But if you are interested in delicious food, and a range of choices which you don't see in other Chinese restaurants, you should definitely choose this one. I'm sure everything on the menu is excellent, but I have always ordered from the "Chef's specialities" on the menu, or the "this month's recommendations" (a separate laminated page, with the heading only in Chinese - fortunately the dishes are also described in English) - and it has always been fantastic...

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by libbym

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:43:43 +0000

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by libbym

Rating: 4.7

Location: Downstairs at The Corner Store, WC2E 7BN, London, United Kingdom

Website: http://www.thefunnyside.info/

Tags: posh, mature, cool & smart, young professionals, young and fun, students, sexy, underground, trendy, friendly, relaxed

This really is the best comedy club in London - in fact I think they've even won an award that says so.

I've lost track of how many friends I've recommended this place to and they've all loved it too.

Great for a fun evening for couples or for groups, or even go on your own, its got such a friendly vibe you won't feel out of place.

The club gets great acts (they had Harry Hill on last week at a regular show - I mean it wasn't a special or anything) and its SO much better than the big nasty beer-on-the-floor venues most people go to. Try it, you won't be disappointed.

Chinese Experience - review by girlswear

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 11:58:47 +0000

Chinese Experience - review by girlswear

Rating: 4.3

Location: 118 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7437 0377

Website: http://www.chineseexperience.com

I've been told that England has BAD Chinese food, unless you go to Liverpool.

Being the Dim Sum queen and my recent relocation to London, my mission is to seek out a decent place in London. I have pretty high standard as I'm from Toronto.

I've experienced the "Chinese Experience" recently and I was surprised that it was actually good. A little more contemporary than the traditional Dim Sum.

The mixed dumplings were good. I like the taro (corner) nest, it's filled with salad instead of the traditional savoury meat filling. I love the salty duck egg custard bun.

They also off 30% off at a certain time of a day.

The Bishop - review by Wid

Thu, 24 May 2007 14:10:11 +0000

The Bishop - review by Wid

Rating: 3.7

Location: 27 Lordship Lane, SE22 8EW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8693 3994

Tags: different pub food, modern pub

Quite like it, do go back, but am generally disappointed every time. Going to be a rubbish review as I can't quite put my finger on it...some of the time, some of the punters just seem to be trying that bit too hard.

And please update the veggie choice - risotto or scary portebello mushrooms, always.

Love Clarence (resident dog) but doesn't the loud music get to him sometimes??

Chinese Experience - review by Evildonald

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:58:56 +0000

Chinese Experience - review by Evildonald

Rating: 4.3

Location: 118 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7437 0377

Website: http://www.chineseexperience.com

This is the best Chinese I've had in the Uk.

I highly recommend the San Choi Bow (Lettuce Parcels) and the Chilli Salt Squid starter.

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by benzevenbergen

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:07:41 +0000

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by benzevenbergen

Rating: 4.7

Location: Downstairs at The Corner Store, WC2E 7BN, London, United Kingdom

Website: http://www.thefunnyside.info/

This places was amazing. I was actually laughing out loud for most of the time. These people really know how to set up a good comedy night night with great presentation and the best acts! I gets 5 stars, because it's smallness makes it a very intimate experience.

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by Wixy

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:12:14 +0000

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by Wixy

Rating: 4.7

Location: Downstairs at The Corner Store, WC2E 7BN, London, United Kingdom

Website: http://www.thefunnyside.info/

Tags: cool, comedy club, comedians, funny, pop, mature, cool & smart, reasonably priced, young and fun, comedy, friendly, theatre, relaxed, posh

Wow! This IS the best comedy club in London - I can't believe its on here already, I thought I was going to be the first to review it! Why do I like it? Well mainly because The Funny Side always gets the best acts on the circuit, the same you'd see at the big impersonal 400-people-crammed-in-a-room venues but it only seats 70 and you feel like you're at a secret gig. The venue does pretty tasty nosh too.
Highly recommended

The Bishop - review by lofty

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:55:44 +0000

The Bishop - review by lofty

Rating: 3.7

Location: 27 Lordship Lane, SE22 8EW, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 8693 3994

Tags: chilled, window seats, family friendly, excellent pub food, independent pub

my favourite local, relaxed enough to go in with the weekend papers and enjoy their meaty brunch, but at the same time inclusive enough to take your parents for a meal.
Family friendly, wide selection of food which is available till 10pm, nice beer. If you can get one of the window tables its a bonus, but watch out for Clarence jumping up to sit in the window!!

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by zodge

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:46:57 +0000

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by zodge

Rating: 4.7

Location: Downstairs at The Corner Store, WC2E 7BN, London, United Kingdom

Website: http://www.thefunnyside.info/

Have to agree with Lofty, this is the best comedy club in London. It has a brilliant atmosphere and gives you a chance to see all the acts who play the bigger clubs in really cosy, chilled out surroundings

Chinese Experience - review by lofty

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:45:50 +0000

Chinese Experience - review by lofty

Rating: 4.3

Location: 118 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EP, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7437 0377

Website: http://www.chineseexperience.com

Tags: relaxed, friends, dim sum. family, special offers, good value, chinese, friendly

My other half worked with a girl from Hong Kong a few years back and she gave us a list of London chinese resturants to try. This one was top of the list and we have never thought to try any of the others. The staff are so friendly, there's regular special offers on dim sum/set menus and whatever you choose you bound to love it. Have taken many friends and family there and no one's been disappointed yet. The strawberry spare ribs and the deep fried crispy milk are my personal recommendations. Enjoy! x

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by lofty

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:11:15 +0000

The Funny Side of Covent Garden - review by lofty

Rating: 4.7

Location: Downstairs at The Corner Store, WC2E 7BN, London, United Kingdom

Website: http://www.thefunnyside.info/

Tags: friendly, crowd, funny, excellent pub food, comedy, covent garden

The Funny Side... Of Covent Garden is a thrice weekly comedy club which is fantastic, its in the basement of The Cornerstore Pub which is just up from where "The Lion King" is on. Its not as big as The Comedy Store but what it loses in size it makes up for in personality. Have been several times and its become my favourite club in London - the bills are varied and often as good as you'd see at a bigger club. They have their own bar there and you can order food and eat at your table while watching the show. There's even a joke competition with the chance to win a bottle of bubbly!!