Where shall we eat? Chinese for a change. We narrowed the choice down to four in our area of north west London. The Royal China and the Panda's Kitchen were in Harrow, Chin Chin in Pinner, or Ban Bang food court.
We decided that Bang Bang food court with lots of options was interesting, a great idea for lunch, but we wanted to sit and talk over a leisurely dinner without jumping up and down and being surrounded by the coming and going of passers by. So we decided to leave Bang Bang to a couples outing at lunch time.
Chin Chin in Pinner was very slightly dearer. Panda's kitchen sounded small.
Royal China with its numerous branches worldwide sounded a safe bet. So Royal China was our choice.
I had checked online to see what was open on Sundays, as well as the price range. I also looked at the dessert lists, the wine lists, and whether there were chicken dishes without shellfish as I am allergic to shellfish. Finally the parking possibilities.
We had booked online with a credit card, for 6.30 pm in order not to finish too late because our grand-daughter had a summer camp and our son was working on Monday.
When we arrived at 6.30 we were early enough to choose a table. There were lots of large round tables. I opted for a banquette so my grand-daughter could snuggle up and I had somewhere to park my handbag within easy reach. The waiter who greeted us moved a square two seater table next to a four-seater table together to make a larger oblong for five.
We ordered a bottle of Riesling which was reasonably priced.
Prosecco by the glass was also available. The wine list included a large list of alcoholic and non alcoholic options including a mango concoction.
Duck
Peking duck. China may have changed the name of Peking to Beijing. We are used to that. But Peking Duck is from the old days, and we still call it that.
We ordered another box of pancakes, kept warm in a circular straw container, like a breathable biscuit tin. The sauce was very moreish.
We also ordered one plain rice, one enhanced rice.
Fish
They asked if we wanted the fish filleted. So they removed the bone from it on another table.
Chicken
I could have had chicken with lemon sauce or chicken with cashew nuts. I have cashew nuts at home. Lemon sauce is hard to get right.
So I opted for the novelty of chicken in lemon sauce. It was a good lemon sauce. Opaque. Thick. Not one of those invisible sauces which you have to search for.
Dessert
The banana dessert was not available. So, instead we had the apple fried in batter, with ice cream. One piece for each of the four adults. The ice cream, flavoured by the sea of syrupy sauce it sat in, was very tasty.
Service
The waiting staff, more running around than waiting, wore black synthetic gloves. I like that. Hygienic.
Service was willing. Food came up slowly, which suited us as we wanted to talk to our family without being rushed.
Price
Exactly as predicted. In effect, we had a three course meal for four including a glass of alcohol at just under forty pounds per person.
Noise
when the place was full, as the evening progressed, there was plenty of noise. Enough for any noise made my our grand-daughter not to be noticed. But the floor is carpeted, not like tile-floored Italian restaurants, so there was no intrusive echo. Just right for private conversations. And not hearing the words of others.
Decor
Black wood tables. Orange lanterns. Nothing special. But the gold printing on the business cards, the toothpick cases, and the wet wipe packets, was a fancy touch.
All in all, would we go back? Yes.
But first, for a change, we must try the Panda Kitchen next door.
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