Empress of Sichuan

This place is great. I've been a couple of times now and I've been wowed by the food on both occasions. Off beam it definitely is – although I admit to both trying and loving Duck Tongues in soy sauce – but utterly brilliant. The staff are wonderful too, overcoming all Chinatown stereotyping of stroppy service. Throughly recommended for some of the very best oriental cuisine in town

On the site of the shortly-lived ‘Keelung’ – like a Phoenix from the ashes, arises The Empress of Sichuan, one of the most exciting Chinese eateries to hit town for a very long time. With classic Sichuan cuisine dominating the menu, this is most definitely not your normal garden-variety Chinese restaurant. Delicious and interesting offerings of ‘Shadow lantern beef’ – chewy beef strips bathed in a spicy-sweet dressing with added chillis for a real kick, do so much to awaken my palate. Meltingly tender lamb skewers marinated in a cumin-based spice mix are delicious also. The highlight for me was, put simply, the best damned bowl of ‘Dan Dan’ noodles I have ever had. A clear and spicy broth, laden with generous quantities of delicious noodles and spicy sauteed minced pork, an absolute winner. The menu is enormous, which often has the tendency to worry me, but if the few dishes that I chose were anything to go by, then The Empress of Sic huan won't go the same way as it's predecessor and like Chinese proverbs say, will have and long and prosperous future.

Enjoyed a brief pre-theatre evening meal in comfortable surroundings. The food was very good with an interesting take on your standard Chinese fare. If you are expecting Lemon Chicken, Chow Mein etc then you won't find it here but what you will find is beautifully cooked different Chinese food at reasonable prices. The service by the smiling Chinese waitresses is excellent. A real find in London and I'll definitely go again.