11:57am Wednesday 7th November 2007
By Hayley Collins
Quality of service excellent
Value for money average
Ambience homely atmosphere
Speed of service very quick
Quality of food superb
I OFTEN drive past the Jade Buddha in Sandiway and am drawn in by the bright lights and homely exterior so one busy Friday night I decided to call in and sample the culinary delights on offer.
My mouth had been watering all day at the thought of aromatic crispy duck and barbecue spared ribs.
But after arriving at the restaurant at 7pm we were almost forced to turn around and go home when we couldn't find a parking space.
The car park is tiny and to expect it to serve a busy restaurant as well as a take away service is just incomprehensible.
After debating for 10 minutes over whether we should give up and try somewhere else another customer emerged, freeing up his coveted parking space for us.
And thank goodness that he did.
The first thing that hits you when entering the restaurant is that it is like walking into your own living room.
The atmosphere is warm and cosy and their is a definite air of a homely feeling.
Despite not having booked, the friendly and accommodating staff quickly found us a table in a cosy nook.
The menu is what you would expect from any Chinese restaurant, an extensive selection of varying meat, noodle and rice dishes.
We opted for the five-course special two-person banquet, which, at less than £18 per person we deemed quite reasonable.
The starters consisted of a tasty selection of typical Chinese entrees including prawn toast, spare ribs, satay chicken and spring rolls.
All were cooked to perfection and equally sumptuous and my companion and I truly enjoyed every sinful mouthful.
The next course was my favourite - aromatic crispy duck. I had been waiting for it all day and it did not disappoint.
The duck was tasty and succulent and the three pancakes per person were a sufficient amount for the meat on offer.
By this point I was already full to bursting so the mountain of food that arrived for our next course was slightly over-facing.
We had a great assortment of sweet and sour chicken, beef and black bean sauce and pork and vegetables as well as a hefty portion of special fried rice, which was truly delicious.
Despite the food being divine we were forced to leave rather a lot because there was just too munch. The two person banquet would have been more than sufficient for three people.
This was followed by orange segments and a choice of coffee or Chinese tea, which we were forced to skip as we were just too full.
The bill came to £45 including drinks, which for a feast fit for a king seems quite reasonable.
For a special occasion you really can't go wrong at the Jade Buddha.
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