Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 13 and Version 12 of Pearl Liang, W2 6EZ

Version 13 Version 12
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Chinese restaurant in [[Locale Paddington|Paddington]] offering good quality dim sum (including 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.
Chinese restaurant in [[Locale Paddington|Paddington]] offering good quality dim sum.
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[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. 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 &pound;10, making it feasible to eat here alone or in a small group while still getting the chance to taste a variety of things.
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.
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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. It's worth pointing out that the toilets are to be found out the back, through an unmarked door.
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.
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[[Kake]] and the London Perlmongers have visited for dim sum a couple of times now; a Friday lunchtime in July 2007 and a Thursday lunchtime in April 2008. We didn't book on either occasion, but this wasn't a problem.
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.
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On our first visit, 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'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 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. (Our side order of sticky rice was not good - overly greasy and the prawns were rather hard - but this problem had been rectified by the time of our second visit.)
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.
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The service was neither notably good nor anything to complain about. We paid &pound;14/head for an ample lunch, including service (which is automatically added to the bill) and limitless tea (which we were charged &pound;1 each for, unlike [http://majbros.blogspot.com/2007/04/pearl-liang-jewel-on-grand-union-canal.html Dos Hermanos], who got it for free).
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.
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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 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 &pound;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.
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.
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[[Kake]]'s verdict: Definitely one of the better dim sum places in London. Would be happy to return.
We paid &pound;42 for an ample lunch for three people, including service (which is automatically added to the bill) and limitless tea (which we were charged &pound;3 for, unlike [http://majbros.blogspot.com/2007/04/pearl-liang-jewel-on-grand-union-canal.html Dos Hermanos], who got it for free).
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<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.
Worth another visit? Yes, if only to try the soup dumplings. And the taster platter would come in very handy for a solo lunch.
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<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.

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<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Kake]], [[Leon]], and other Perlmongers, April 2008.</div>
<div class="last_verified">Last visited Friday 27 July 2007 by [[Kake]], ilmari, and hatter.</div>

Comment added by Kake:
April 2008 visit - sticky rice much improved, v good. Spinach dumplings a little less good - bit salty. Wasabi prawn dumplings were interesting; subtle wasabi flavour but it was there. Duck spring rolls were excellent. Soup dumplings have a fair bit of soup but they're a bit big for my taste. Teapot refilling was pretty prompt. We paid 12 quid 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.

Comment added by Kake: Oh, and Sheldon Square is now signposted from the top of the steps
/ramp up from platform 8. Also NB must add directions from H&C line.
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formatted_website_text='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/ (entirely Flash and rather annoying to use, also plays music) formatted_website_text='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/ (entirely Flash and rather annoying to use)
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host='213.165.225.132'
host='161.74.11.24'
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website='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/ (entirely Flash and rather annoying to use)' website='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/ (entirely Flash and rather annoying to use, also plays music)' website='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/ (entirely Flash and rather annoying to use)' website='http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/ (entirely Flash and rather annoying to use, also plays music)'

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.

See also:

Last visited Friday 27 July 2007 by Kake, ilmari, and hatter.

Comment added by Kake: April 2008 visit - sticky rice much improved, v good. Spinach dumplings a little less good - bit salty. Wasabi prawn dumplings were interesting; subtle wasabi flavour but it was there. Duck spring rolls were excellent. Soup dumplings have a fair bit of soup but they're a bit big for my taste. Teapot refilling was pretty prompt. We paid 12 quid 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.

Comment added by Kake: Oh, and Sheldon Square is now signposted from the top of the steps/ramp up from platform 8. Also NB must add directions from H&C line.


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