Saturday 27 March 2010

Bistro Manchu

G/F 33 Elgin Street, Central  (Soho)
tel. 2536 9218

It's highly recommended that you book (even on the same day), as it tends to fill up by around 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays.  The alternative, if you are a walk-up and there is no seating, is to go across the street to the Cutty Sark and have some beers or crappy wine (it is an English pub, after all) and have them deliver!  Sometimes that can be even more fun.

I've been here several times now, and it has never disappointed.  The staff are wonderful and friendly, and very helpful in dish selection.  Primarily because the dishes have names like:

Potato noodles with mustard, shredded pork and shredded vegetables
Potato noodles with sauce, shredded pork and shredded vegetables
Dumplings
Pork Dumplings
Pork Dumplings
Steamed Pork Dumplings
Vegetable Dumplings
Vegetable Dumplings
Vegetable and Pork Dumplings
Roasted Lamb
Beef with Chili and Pepper

Confusing, no?  I'm sure the Chinese version is more descriptive, but I generally wing it when I order.  The good thing is, you can't really go wrong here.  As long as you like the meat/ingredients, you will surely like the dish that appears on the table.

Manchurian Roasted Lamb:


This doesn't look it, but it is HUGE.  I ordered the large version because previous visits (with big eaters) meant an empty dish long before I was done with the lamb.  However, the large is more than twice as large as the small.  It's really for a table of 8.

Beef with Chili and Pepper (they actually meant Peppers - I was expecting Pepper):


Not rated by Michelin or Toasty (this could be a good thing for me!)
Rating:  4