New Culture Revolution - Kings Road, London

I like New Culture because they offer reasonably priced food amidst a myriad of highly expensive restaurants. They call themselves a dumpling and noodle bar but they also serve most of the things you'd expect to find in a Chinese restaurant.

At lunch you can choose from their lesser expensive and smaller portioned menu. As expected at dinner the menu is more extensive and more expensive.

We went on a busy Tuesday night and had the Chilli Squid starter (£5.95) followed by the Beef in Black Bean (£8.90) and the Braised Beef Claypot (£8.90). The Squid was delicious, very spicy and sweet. The Beef in Black Bean was tender and sharp but to be honest I've had better at my local takeaway. The Braised Beef comes served in a Claypot with Mooli and other seasonal vegetables. The meat was tender but the broth it came in was slightly under seasoned and watery.

All in all New Culture Revolution is a good restaurant. My husband swears by it. I however think that it's nothing special, that is to say it's average food in a pleasant setting, and nothing more.

New Culture Revolution
7/10
350 Kings Road
London, SW3 5EP
0207 352 9281
www.newculturerevolution.co.uk

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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