China Garden & Piano Bar
Rated: Excellent
based on 3 reviews
201, Om Chambers, 123, August Kranti Marg, Kemps Comer, Kemps Corner, Mumbai
23630841, 23630842
Have you been here before?
Write a Review
‹ Previous
2 of 3
Next ›
« Back to China Garden & Piano Bar
Mar 01, 2008
Not just another noodle
The China Garden at Kemps' Corner was always a hot favourite with us ever since it opened all those years ago. Being almost weekly diners, we were most disappointed when they had to shift out into the Mall. For several years we avoided the place till one day we just had to go there merely because they did serve the best noodles in town.
So now that it has returned to its place of birth, we couldn't be happier. This is now our tenth visit since the place re-opened at Om Chambers.
Dark yet not dingy, the ambience is pleasant. With red jaquard canopies looping the ceiling, a large flat screen tv on one wall gives it a sports bar-ish look. Initially, I was a bit disconcerted with the TV but realised that it can be quite a relief for people who don't have much to talk to each other or just use it as a spring board for further conversation. The bar was a buzz with people merrily (and getting merrier) waiting for the next sitting.
Checking out our reservation ( this is an absolute must - the earlier in the day the better ) the pleasant looking Chinese hostess escorted us to our table.At the first sitting you can distinctly hear foreign tongues as only foreigners can eat at this early hour of eight!
The service is a bit lack lustre though with the waiters actually hanging around waiting to be called rather than attending to you immediately.
We asked for non spicy food since keeping our overseas visitors in mind but the Captain suggested Pepper Chicken and some fish dish as starters . While both were yummy, the fish had generous amounts of chopped green chilli while the chicken was a fiery red. Of course our chief guest foreigner abandoned it after the first bite which left me to chomp through the rest. No complaints though except that my stomach was full with starters!
The rest of the table ordered Teppan Yaki prawns, Chicken and fried rice and a big bowl of noodles. Since I was already tanked up with the starters, I had to wash it down with clear chicken soup.
While the food was tasty, I do wish the Captain had made better suggestions and had served the food in order of preference. For instance, I who was the least hungry was served the soup first and had to wait for the chief guest whose preference was the Teppan Yaki prawns to be served last! So my poor chief guest had to gulp down his steaming hot prawn so that I could quickly sip my hot soup that had become tepid in the mean time.
Despite this I would recommend the place because the food really never fails to please. The ambient noise can get a bit loud but it adds to the charm of the place - classy and noisy - a place where you can enjoy yourself without stepping on your neighbouring table's sensibilities.
