Dim T - Hampstead, London

Dim T in Hampstead is a small yet often busy Chinese restaurant. It's located near the wonderful Everyman cinema and is walking distance from Hampstead station. 

I've been twice and both times were experiences to remember. They offer a variety of noodle dishes, curries, soups and salads, (all ranging between £7 and £9). You can also construct your own noodle dish by choosing the topping, type of noodle and sauce. 

I don't go for that though. I go for the Dim Sum.

When you order your selection of Dim Sum it arrives at your table piled high in layered Bamboo Steamers, with each basket containing 3 or 4 pieces of the handmade (either fried of steamed) parcels you ordered.

We chose quite a few different things to share. Each basket costing £3.60 (with the exception of the gourmet selection and pork buns which set us back £3.85 a basket).

The Dim Sum we ordered were Spicy Beef, Minced Pork and Prawn, Chicken and Asian Greens, Spicy Vegetables, Roasted Pork Buns, and Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Coriander. We sat there merrily dipping our parcels into the many sauces on the table.

The price was what you'd expect for Dim Sum. The bill came to £44.50 for the two of us (including drinks). Not too bad for a good meal after a trip to the Everyman.

Dim T

8/10

3 Heath Street

London NW3 6TP

0207 435 0024

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Ping Pong - Soho, London

Ping Pong boasts to serve 'little steamed parcels of deliciousness' and this is no exaggeration. You might not like everything on the menu but the choice is so varied its bound to suit all tastes. As you are seated in the dark, sexy and stylish restaurant you are given a card and pen. You mark the amount of each savoury bite you desire according to the menu and pass it back to the waiter. Each dim sum plate, consisting of 2 to 3 pieces per plate costs anywhere between £2 to £5. I went with 3 people and we chose 3 to 4 plates each, however we did end up ordering more as we went along. The Scallop and Prawn Dumpling (£2.99) were delicious, as were the Crispy Prawn Balls (£3.59). 

Ping Pong and dim sum in general is very much a grazing way of eating. It's very easy to wile away the afternoon picking on little bites of intricately prepared food, ordering as and when you want it. This, however, is not as cheap as it may seem, be aware of how much you're ordering if you're on a budget. Ping Pong started in Soho, however has now branched out all over London with a total of 12 restaurants. I would suggest going on a Sunday when you can eat unlimited dim sum for a total of £17.15 a head.

Ping Pong

8/10 

45 Great Marlborough Street W1F 7JL

0207 851 6969

www.pingpongdimsum.com

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