Alisan

I rarely write reviews but I thought I'd make an exception for Alisan as the restaurant (especially dim sum) is really exceptional.

I live about 40 minutes from Alisan but I've dined there over 5 times now in the space of 2 months and am always impressed with the quality of food served. I love dim sum and have eaten it at several different Chinese restaurants and none of them even compare to Alisan. What I like most is that they manage to keep the food traditional but with a contemporary edge. Also I've found that some Chinese restaurants seem to use quite low quality ingredients and ‘fillers’ rather than actual meat and prawns in their dim sum especially in shumai and dumplings. You can tell Alisan however uses high quality ingredients which is reflected in the taste. If you were to compare dim sum to sausages, Alisan's would be in the gourmet category.

I've also been there for dinner a few times and would definitely recommend the Cantonese style fillet steak, seafood and tofu hot pot, and steamed seabass in soya sauce. The Jasmine tea has a lovely fragrance and you can tell it's of good quality. The cocktails are really yummy too, especially the Pina Coladas and Long Island ice teas (word of warning: they are rather generous with the alcohol!)

In terms of the decor, it's relaxed with a contemporary feel and importantly clean (including the bathroom). The service is good, wouldn't say it's exceptional but everyone has been polite every time I go there. To be honest, the quality of food is what I care about the most, the decor and service will always be secondary.

Overall, a fantastic restaurant and one that I've recommended to many of my friends and family, all of whom agree that Alisan was worth the trip and serves delicious food.

I’ve just had the worst restaurant experience in my entire life!

I have been to Alisan three times before and the food and service was fine. This time my husband, my 2.5 year old and I didn’t even get a chance to order the food. A waiter came to take our order. I asked what ‘Young Chow’ rice was. ‘Mixed meat’, he said rather abruptly and got very annoyed when I asked which meats exactly. Turns out there was seafood too which my husband is allergic to! He finally took our order and I asked for jasmine tea to drink. My husband was about to ask for his drink but the guys grabbed the menus and rushed off. When I said ‘Excuse me, could you please get my husband a drink’, he got very annoyed and told me that he would come back for that. Seeing the shock in my facial expression, he came back, slammed the menus back on the table and asked looking at me ‘Yes, what do you want to drink then?’, like he was doing us the biggest favour ever! At this point, my husband said he wanted to leave. I asked whether I could speak to someone else but the waiter kept smiling and saying ‘Sorry, you feel this way’. He didn’t look sorry at all and wouldn’t call anyone else. I then said we were ready to go and the guy started moving the high chair with my daughter in it! Totally bizarre! I went to the counter at the entrance and asked to speak to the manager. The gentleman there said ‘No, he is the manager’ (smiling) and then both of them escorted us out!!! Oh my God! I am still in shock. I feel utterly humiliated. There is something definitely wrong with this guy as there is no possible explanation or justification for his behaviour. Their chef might be good but the attitude and conduct of their front staff is disgraceful.
They don't deserve their customers

Booked a table for four before watching Cirque du Soleil at Wembley Arena (also fabulous). Decor was clean and contemporary with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The service was fast and efficient – perfect for pre-concert. We ordered the vegetarian set menu for two and set menu D for the meat eaters. The food was exemplary – the best vegetarian chinese I've ever eaten. Also very good value, about £30 per head including drinks. If you want a good place to eat before watching a show at the arena go to Alisan!