Ping Pong Paddington Street

I normally visit the Westbourne Grove Ping Pong which is one of my favourite restaurants, but recently visited the one in Hampstead while seeing a friend over there. The food was of the same high quality and overall the experience was good value for money. However, the tables seemed to be slightly too close together and I could hear everything the couple next to us were saying! The service was also a little slower than I am used to. Nonetheless, tried a new kumquat mohito cocktail which more than compensated for these discrepancies!

Having very much enjoyed a visit to the Bread Street site earlier in the week I decided to break the monotony of a Sunday trip to Wembley with a quick bite at the branch on Paddington Street. After telling the Mrs “You will love it – it's very similar to Yauatcha” I felt a little let down as did she.Tucked quite far down a back street the atmosphere seemed to suffer greatly with only 3 tables in the building being used (including me). Service was efficient as ever and the food was still quite tasty but some of the dishes didn't quite impress as much as last time – several of the dumplings seemed to have welded themselves to the bamboo pots and fell apart before reaching the plates. Coriander and Prawn crackers seemed over done and a little stale – too crunchy as opposed to crispy. The decor upstairs seemed a little grubby as well although the downstairs area which I later discovered looks much nicer (although empty). For a quick bite if I was in the area I'd maybe go again but certainly not make it a destination – I think a little work is needed to bring it up to par with it's sisters.