Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 49 and Version 8 of Pearl Liang, W2 6EZ
| Version 49 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| == Line 0 == | == Line 0 == |
| Chinese restaurant in [[Locale Paddington|Paddington]]. |
Chinese restaurant in Paddington offering good quality dim sum. They do soup dumplings! (Although we missed out on these on our visit because I'd forgotten they're also called Shanghai dumplings, and so failed to find them on the menu. They are there, and they cost £2.50.) [http://www.thelondonpaper.com/cs/Satellite/london/nightout/article/1157146811153?packedargs=suffix%3DArticleController thelondonpaper suggests] that dim sum is available in the evening as well as at lunchtime, while [http://www.areyoureadytoorder.co.uk/review.php?id=257 Jan Moir says] the full dim sum menu is only available noon-5pm, with a smaller selection available as appetisers in the evening. |
| == Line 2 == | == Line 2 == |
|
[[Kake]], [[Leon]], and the London Perlmongers have visited for dim sum several times now, most recently on a Thursday lunchtime in August 2010. We didn't book on any of these occasions, but this wasn't a problem, even when we had a party of 11. In our (extensive) experience, this is one of the best dim sum places in London; the quality and range are both good, the prices are reasonable, and they have proper soup dumplings. A number of the dim sum dishes have a Japanese influence, for example the wasabi prawn dumplings, or the duck spring rolls which come wrapped in a little circumference of nori. |
Unusually for a dim sum place, they offer a nine-piece dim sum taster platter ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/919631642/ annotated photo]) for just under £10, making it feasible to eat here alone or in a small group while still getting the chance to taste a variety of things. |
| == Line 4 == | == Line 4 == |
|
The full dim sum menu is served at lunchtimes, while a smaller selection is available in the evenings <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/55935853@N00/8529979791/sizes/l photo of menu in Apr 2011]</small>. Unusually for a dim sum place, they offer a nine-piece dim sum taster platter <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/919631642/ annotated photo]</small> for just under £10, making it feasible to eat here alone or in a small group while still getting the chance to taste a variety of things. |
We visited on a Friday lunchtime; we hadn't booked, but this wasn't a problem as there were several free tables. We ordered a dim sum taster platter apiece, and supplemented this with an order of chicken's feet and one of sticky rice with mixed meat in lotus leaf. |
| == Line 6 == | == Line 6 == |
|
Our per-head dim sum lunch bill (including service, which is automatically added at 12.5%, and unlimited tea but no alcohol) has ranged from £10 (Nov 2008) to £15 (August 2010), which is about average for London. |
The taster platter wasn't bad at all, though it was composed entirely of steamed dishes really, a dim sum meal should include both steamed and fried items, to give contrast. If I'd realised this before we ordered (which I should have, since the contents of the taster platter are listed on the menu), I'd have chosen more complementary side orders. |
| == Line 8 == | == Line 8 == |
|
The decor <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/919114555/ not-brilliant photo]</small> is very fuchsia and a bit glittery; they've done well to work around the lack of natural light, though. There are sofas in the bar area. It's worth pointing out that the toilets are to be found out the back, through an unmarked door. |
The only thing on the platter I really didn't like was the seaweed-wrapped glutinous rice, which was like some kind of greasy sushi; not good. The side order of sticky rice with mixed meat in lotus leaf was similarly greasy, and the small prawns in the "mixed meat" were overfried to the point of being hard (note: Jan Moir says they're actually dried ones, which makes sense, but I still didn't think it worked very well). The steamed dumplings, though pretty good, obviously freshly prepared, and with a very nice emphasis on vegetables. I think the spinach dumpling was my favourite, but it was a close call. |
| == Line 10 == | == Line 10 == |
|
On our first visit in July 2007, there were only three of us so we all went for the taster platter; it wasn't bad at all, though it was composed entirely of steamed dishes - really, a dim sum meal should include both steamed and fried items, to give contrast. If I ([[Kake]]) had realised this before we ordered (which I should have, since the contents of the taster platter are listed on the menu), I'd have chosen more complementary side orders. The only thing on the platter I really didn't like was the seaweed-wrapped glutinous rice, which (like our side order of sticky rice in lotus leaf) was rather greasy. The steamed dumplings were pretty good, obviously freshly prepared, and with a very nice emphasis on vegetables. |
The service was neither notably good nor anything to complain about. The decor ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/919114555/ not-brilliant photo]) is very fuchsia and a bit glittery; they've done well to work around the lack of natural light, though. It's worth pointing out that the toilets are to be found out the back, through an unmarked door. |
| == Line 12 == | == Line 12 == |
|
On our second visit, in April 2008, there were more of us so we ordered various dishes from the main dim sum menu. The sticky rice with mixed meat in lotus leaf was much improved from the slightly disappointing rendition on our previous visit; very good. Spinach dumplings were no longer notably good - bit salty - though still competent enough. Wasabi prawn dumplings were interesting; subtle wasabi flavour but it was there. Duck spring rolls were excellent. Soup dumplings had a fair bit of soup but were a bit big for [[Kake]]'s taste. Teapot refilling was pretty prompt. We paid £12 a head for ample food, tea all round, no booze. They brought more portions of the desserts than we asked for, but I don't think we were charged for the extras. |
We paid £42 for an ample lunch for three people, including service (which is automatically added to the bill) and limitless tea (which we were charged £3 for, unlike [http://majbros.blogspot.com/2007/04/pearl-liang-jewel-on-grand-union-canal.html Dos Hermanos], who got it for free). |
| == Line 14 == | == Line 14 == |
|
In November 2008, the sticky rice was even better, with large fresh prawns in. Duck spring rolls were still good but perhaps a little drier than last time. Mixed cheung fun were good - the scallop ones had plenty of non-watery scallop, and the meat in the barbecued pork ones was tender and moist, not dry at all, yet not overly fatty, perhaps the best barbecued pork that [[Kake]] has ever had. £10/head today. |
Worth another visit? Yes, if only to try the soup dumplings. And the taster platter would come in very handy for a solo lunch. |
| == Line 16 == | == Line 16 == |
|
Accessibility: Step-free access throughout, and there's also an accessible toilet. Sheldon Square itself is in a sort of sunken basin, with steps to get down. However, there's a lift which is accessed via the Bishops Bridge Road entrance; you need to find the security guards and get them to open the gate for you. |
<div class="getting_here"><b>Getting here:</b> Sheldon Square is a relatively new development behind [[Paddington station]]. Getting here can be slightly complicated, although it really is very close to the station. The easiest way is to start from platform 8 of the station (you won't need a ticket; there are no barriers to get onto this platform). Walk along the platform, go up the steps or ramp, turn right along the walkway, and follow along until you hit the canal towpath. (If you see signs in the station for the PaddingtonCentral development, that's what you're aiming for.) Turn left along the towpath and go along a bit until you see the sign for Sheldon Square; follow this sign (left between two tall buildings), then continue forwards and head down the steps into the grassy sunken amphitheatre thing; Pearl Liang is ahead of you on the other side of the amphitheatre. |
| == Line 18 == | == Line 18 == |
|
<div class="getting_here"><b>Getting here:</b> Sheldon Square is a relatively new development behind [[Paddington station]]. Getting here can be slightly complicated, although it really is very close to the station. The easiest way is to start from platform 8 of the station (you won't need a ticket; there are no barriers to get onto this platform). Walk along the platform away from the main concourse and go up the steps or ramp. You should see a sign for Sheldon Square pointing to your right along a walkway; follow this along until you hit the canal towpath. Keeping the canal to your right, go along a bit until you see another sign for Sheldon Square; follow this sign (left between two tall buildings), then continue forwards and head down the steps into the grassy sunken amphitheatre thing; Pearl Liang is ahead of you on the other side of the amphitheatre. Note that taxis often have trouble finding Sheldon Square. The road entrance is half way across Bishops Bridge Road which all the taxi drivers know as it's where they queue to get to Paddington Station — it's probably best to just ask to be dropped off on the bridge. |
Note that taxis often have trouble finding Sheldon Square. |
| == Line 23 == | == Line 21 == |
|
See also: * [http://www.london-eating.co.uk/28337.htm London Eating comments] * [http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/venue/2:15158/pearl-liang Time Out review] * [http://www.gastronomydomine.com/2007/04/pearl-liang-paddington-london.html Gastronomy Domine review] * [http://majbros.blogspot.com/2007/04/pearl-liang-jewel-on-grand-union-canal.html Dos Hermanos review] * [http://www.independent.co.uk/living/food_and_drink/reviews/article2424295.ece The Independent review] * [http://www.hardens.com/articles/article_details.php?type=cityam&id=289 Hardens review] * [http://www.areyoureadytoorder.co.uk/review.php?id=257 Jan Moir review] * [http://rwapplewannabe.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/pearl-liang-restaurant-paddington/ An American In London review] * [http://www.worldfoodieguide.com/index.php/pearl-liang-chinese-london-england/ World Foodie Guide review] (dim sum, April 2008) * [http://www.worldfoodieguide.com/index.php/pearl-liang-london/ World Foodie Guide review] (dim sum, August 2009) * [http://www.worldfoodieguide.com/index.php/pearl-liang-chinese-review-london-england World Foodie Guide review] (dinner) * [http://www.chowhound.com/topics/497269 Chowhound thread] * [http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/629949 Another Chowhound thread] * [http://tofufa.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/pearl-liang/ Delightful Eggtarts review] * [http://www.andyhayler.com/show_restaurant.asp?id=430 Andy Hayler's review] * [http://genuiness.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/pearl-liang-review/ gen.u.ine.ness review] * [http://londoneater.com/2009/04/16/pearl-liang-beautiful-review/ London Eater review] * [http://www.qype.co.uk/place/53148 Qype comments] * [http://tamarindandthyme.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/dim-sum-at-pearl-liang/ Tamarind And Thyme review] * [http://www.tehbus.com/2009/06/eat-chinese-pearl-liang-paddington.html Tehbus review] * [http://luscioustemptations.blogspot.com/2009/09/dim-sum-pearl-liang-paddington.html Luscious Temptations review] * [http://www.pigpigscorner.com/2009/09/chinese-pearl-liang-restaurant-review.html Wild Boar's review] (dinner) * [http://www.pigpigscorner.com/2009/10/dim-sum-pearl-liang-restaurant-review.html Wild Boar's review] (dim sum) * [http://www.london-insider.co.uk/2009/11/pearl-liang-chinese-restaurant-review-paddington/ London Insider review] * [http://lizzieeatslondon.blogspot.com/2010/02/chinese-new-year-feasting.html Hollow Legs review] (Chinese New Year feast) * [http://www.tehbus.com/2010/02/enter-tiger-chinese-new-year-at.html Tehbus' review] (Chinese New Year feast) * [http://www.londonchow.com/2010/08/pearl-liang-review-paddington-dimsum.html London Chow review] * [http://cooksloweatfast.blogspot.com/2011/04/pearl-liang-paddington-8-sheldon-square.html Not Another Big Menu review] * [http://theskinnybib.com/2011/04/15/pearl-liang/ The Skinny Bib review] (dinner) * [http://www.kaveyeats.com/2011/04/pearl-liang.html Kavey Eats review] * [http://chechemui.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/pearl-liang/ CheChe's Blog review] * [http://pickyglutton.com/2013/01/16/pearl-liang-review/ Picky Glutton review] |
Reviews: * [http://www.gastronomydomine.com/2007/04/pearl-liang-paddington-london.html Gastronomy Domine] * [http://majbros.blogspot.com/2007/04/pearl-liang-jewel-on-grand-union-canal.html Dos Hermanos] * [http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/reviews/10393.html Time Out] * [http://www.independent.co.uk/living/food_and_drink/reviews/article2424295.ece The Independent] * [http://www.hardens.com/articles/article_details.php?type=cityam&id=289 Hardens] * [http://www.areyoureadytoorder.co.uk/review.php?id=257 Jan Moir] |
| == Line 57 == | == Line 29 == |
|
<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Kake]] and friends, August 2010. Evening dim sum verified from menu, December 2008. Opening hours taken from the Pearl Liang website, May 2009.</div> |
<div class="last_verified">Last visited Friday 27 July 2007 by [[Kake]], ilmari, and hatter.</div> |
| == Line 59 == | == Line 31 == |
|
category='Accessible Toilet,Chinese Food,Dim Sum,Featured Article,Restaurants,Step-Free Access' edit_type='Minor tidying' |
category='Chinese Food,Dim Sum,Featured Article,Restaurants' edit_type='Normal edit' |
| == Line 62 == | == Line 34 == |
|
formatted_website_text='pearlliang.co.uk' host='161.74.220.128' hours_text='noon-11pm Mon-Sun' |
formatted_website_text='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/ (entirely Flash and rather annoying to use)
' host='213.165.225.132' hours_text='' |
| == Line 68 == | == Line 41 == |
|
major_change='0' |
major_change='1' |
| == Line 74 == | == Line 47 == |
|
opening_hours_text='noon-11pm Mon-Sun' |
opening_hours_text='' |
| == Line 77 == | == Line 50 == |
|
phone='020 7289 7000' |
phone='' |
| == Line 53 == | == Line 53 == |
| website='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/ (entirely Flash and rather annoying to use)' website='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/' | website='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/ (entirely Flash and rather annoying to use)' website='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/' |
Chinese restaurant in Paddington offering good quality dim sum. They do soup dumplings! (Although we missed out on these on our visit because I'd forgotten they're also called Shanghai dumplings, and so failed to find them on the menu. They are there, and they cost £2.50.) thelondonpaper suggests that dim sum is available in the evening as well as at lunchtime, while Jan Moir says the full dim sum menu is only available noon-5pm, with a smaller selection available as appetisers in the evening.
Unusually for a dim sum place, they offer a nine-piece dim sum taster platter (annotated photo) for just under £10, making it feasible to eat here alone or in a small group while still getting the chance to taste a variety of things.
We visited on a Friday lunchtime; we hadn't booked, but this wasn't a problem as there were several free tables. We ordered a dim sum taster platter apiece, and supplemented this with an order of chicken's feet and one of sticky rice with mixed meat in lotus leaf.
The taster platter wasn't bad at all, though it was composed entirely of steamed dishes really, a dim sum meal should include both steamed and fried items, to give contrast. If I'd realised this before we ordered (which I should have, since the contents of the taster platter are listed on the menu), I'd have chosen more complementary side orders.
The only thing on the platter I really didn't like was the seaweed-wrapped glutinous rice, which was like some kind of greasy sushi; not good. The side order of sticky rice with mixed meat in lotus leaf was similarly greasy, and the small prawns in the "mixed meat" were overfried to the point of being hard (note: Jan Moir says they're actually dried ones, which makes sense, but I still didn't think it worked very well). The steamed dumplings, though pretty good, obviously freshly prepared, and with a very nice emphasis on vegetables. I think the spinach dumpling was my favourite, but it was a close call.
The service was neither notably good nor anything to complain about. The decor (not-brilliant photo) is very fuchsia and a bit glittery; they've done well to work around the lack of natural light, though. It's worth pointing out that the toilets are to be found out the back, through an unmarked door.
We paid £42 for an ample lunch for three people, including service (which is automatically added to the bill) and limitless tea (which we were charged £3 for, unlike Dos Hermanos, who got it for free).
Worth another visit? Yes, if only to try the soup dumplings. And the taster platter would come in very handy for a solo lunch.
Getting here: Sheldon Square is a relatively new development behind Paddington station. Getting here can be slightly complicated, although it really is very close to the station. The easiest way is to start from platform 8 of the station (you won't need a ticket; there are no barriers to get onto this platform). Walk along the platform, go up the steps or ramp, turn right along the walkway, and follow along until you hit the canal towpath. (If you see signs in the station for the PaddingtonCentral development, that's what you're aiming for.) Turn left along the towpath and go along a bit until you see the sign for Sheldon Square; follow this sign (left between two tall buildings), then continue forwards and head down the steps into the grassy sunken amphitheatre thing; Pearl Liang is ahead of you on the other side of the amphitheatre.
Note that taxis often have trouble finding Sheldon Square.
Reviews:
Last visited Friday 27 July 2007 by Kake, ilmari, and hatter.
List all versions