Kyra's reviews
Review of Jasmin Restaurant
28 Jan 08, 15:30
What a great little find! 
I really enjoyed this place. We stumbled across it last Saturday as we got off the 37 bus, starving and looking for something quick and cheap on Battersea Rise. It wasn't at all busy, and there was only one other family in there. We were served by one man, in double-quick time, and had a fantastic set menu lunch which included a starter and a main course, plus prawn crackers, for £6.50 per person. The portions were really generous, and the quality of the food excellent, with many choices. We were totally surprised to have had such a cheap and tasty lunch in what is quite a posh area, and left delighted.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Gold Lee
10 Jan 08, 17:29
Best Chinese in East Dulwich...but only if you eat in?
This place is the nearest restaurant to our house and is, handily, a surprisingly great option. You really couldn't ask for nicer, more smiley staff, and the food is plentiful and nicely presented, as well as being very cheap. We had a set meal for £12.50 per person which was three courses and lasted us another two days with the leftovers we took home!
The only thing I have heard which takes a star off the review is that the takeaway/delivery food is nowhere near as good. I can't quite belive that, but heard it from a couple of different sources, so there must be some truth to the rumour. Anyway, I couldn't fault their food, surroundings, or service, and will be a regular there in the coming months, I'm sure.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ping Pong
10 Oct 07, 18:01
All Ping, No Pong
Now. Let's get a few things straight.
Ping Pong will not appeal to everyone. It's not 'traditional', it's not in Chinatown, it's a chain, it's overly stylish and full of gleaming black laquer and poncey teas. Yes, the staff can sometimes, depending on which branch you visit, and what time you arrive, be brusque and/ or overly efficient, taking away plates that may still have some dipping sauce on them, or over-selling the dumplings and trying to get you to buy more than you need. But let's be fair, this is their job. And if you find a nice branch, and you don't go an hour before they close, then the chances are, you'll have a lovely time.
The simple fact is that it's a pleasure to be poncey sometimes, and this is embraced at Ping Pong. Those little jasmine tea flowers that unfurled lazily in your glass when the hot water was added was enough to keep me entertained for the whole of my first visit. Never mind the super-cool toilets with the automatic sliding doors and sinks shared between men and women with a sleek divider in between!
The food is probably not the best dim sum you'll ever eat, but the choices are wide-ranging, and you'll find yourself being able to eat a surprising amount of those little dumplings.
Enjoy the surroundings, which are stylish and wonderful without any doubt, and sip your stylish tea, and eat your dainty little morsels with your chopsticks. It's really good fun, and I defy anyone who says otherwise!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Dragon Castle
15 Aug 07, 10:48
The best dim sum in the south east 
Dragon Castle is one of my all-time favourite places to go for dim sum, far outweighing most places in Chinatown. Its location in grimy Elephant and Castle may put some people off, but don't let the horrors of the huge grey roundabout stop you; once inside, you are transported to a beautiful calm and restful oasis with twinkling chandeliers and the pleasing sound of running water as the koi carp at the entrance splash about happily. Ok, so I might be going a bit overboard, but it really is quite a lovely setting. On our first visit, we arrived just after 5.15 and were crushed to find out that the dim sum menu finished at 5pm sharp. But instead we feasted on lovely, non-greasy noodles, enormous prawns and fabulous little accoutrements, all lovingly decorated with fresh edible flowers. Our waiters and waitresses were smooth and efficient, bringing dishes as soon as they were cooked and with perfect timing, whisking away empty plates to reveal more beautifully-presented dishes. Our bill, including plum wine and tea, was extremely reasonable and we vowed to return one weekend soon to catch the famed dim sum menu. Needless to say, we didn't leave it long between visits and set off at 1pm a couple of Saturdays later. The grand space, previously almost empty, was now populated with lots of beaming Chinese families and couples of all ages.The great thing about the vastness of the space there is that no matter how busy the restaurant gets, it never feels full. The dim sum menus were on the table and we tucked heartily into most of the dishes on offer. They are incredibly good value and you can eat very well for less than £18 per head, with tea. Again, the dishes arrived promptly and puffed mouth-watering clouds of fragrant steam when we opened the bamboo baskets. The staff seemed even sweeter than before, plying us with free samples of lychee and plum wine. The range of dumplings, steamed and fried, was marvellous- I would wholly recommend the specials of green tea prawn dumplings- little parcels of heaven in the mouth. Dragon castle has fast become one of my favourite weekend hangouts and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the south-east and beyond. Try it now before it gets hugely popular and the prices go up!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.