Riddle MagazineThe Lobster’s Definitely Fresh….
From the dim sum selection to the fresh lobster and Dover sole….. Our reviewer’s impressed
Review by Kelda Wright-Whyte
Stepping into the Royal China on Queensway is like being teleported across the globe to the hustle and bustle of Southern China. Everything from the efficient and business-like welcome, the staff uniforms to the decor is exactly as it would be in southern provincial China.
Adorned with lacquered panels of flying geese and classic Chinese lanterns, the main dining area of the restaurant is buzzing with the chatter of many a group of diners, including everyone from local families to larger groups enjoying more formal business banquets. We were shown to our table in the middle of the main dining area and took our seats in slightly awkwardly short chairs more akin to a conference suite than a restaurant. The crisp table linen was reassuringly white, which made up for some of the slightly less than polished service areas of the restaurant.
Having taken our seats we were presented with the menu. The oversized picture-menu was as extensive as you would expect in any reputable Chinese restaurant with all of the classics you would expect to find. On quizzing our waitress on her recommendation, we settled on the “Seafood Gourmet” set menu.
The first dish to arrive was the “Chefs Imperial Seafood Hor’s D’oeuvers”, a selection of delightfully crispy dim sum nibbles with a generous helping of crispy seaweed. Despite us both being perfectly competent with chopsticks our waitress insisted on issuing us with knives and forks…
The next dish to arrive was the “Fresh Lobster” and FRESH it was! Although entirely optional; the staff enthusiastically brought the live-lobster to the table for pre-cooking inspection. There were a selection of different flavour options available. We settled on the waitress’ recommendation of “ginger & spring onion”. Once delivered to our table, the waitress insisted on serving us each our lobster. Although a little tricky to dissect with chopsticks, the flesh was beautifully cooked and well worth the battle to free it from the shell.
Having finished wrestling with the lobster, our dirty dishes (and associated debris) were whisked away. Soon afterwards the remaining dishes on the set menu arrived in swift succession. “Mixed Seafood in Bird’s Nest” was a crispy edible basket filled with freshly sautéed vegetables and scallops. The “Deep-fried Fillet of Dover Sole” was cooked to perfection, with a beautifully light crispy crumb. The “Stir-fried Mixed Vegetables” were exactly that. When the “Royal China Lotus Leaf Rice” arrived, our waitress insisted on serving it to us despite being more than happy to tuck in ourselves.
Given it was a Tuesday evening, the restaurant was remarkably busy with a swift clean-up and changeover of table every time a group left. The Royal China is clearly rather popular with local residents and the Chinese community alike. There were a couple of large business groups enjoying a banquet next to us. Several bottles of pricey liquor were consumed before the host had even selected a lobster to his satisfaction. Exactly what you’d expect in any reputable restaurant in China!
Having dined in numerous Chinese restaurants in London, Hong Kong and China, I can safely say this is one of the most “authentic” formal Chinese restaurant experiences I have had outside of that country. Although drinks were a little on the pricey side, the set menus were very good value and the overall experiences was delightfully charming in a very authentic Chinese way.
Enquiries: Royal China, 13 Queensway, London W2 4QJ / 0207 2212535 / http://rcguk.co.uk/rcqw.html