Coconut Tree Noodle Bar — Restaurant in Canterbury

I hear Asian food, and I'll be there secepat mungkin. Lived in SE Asia for almost 30 years, predominantly Indonesia, and wrote about food extensively. Sad truth is there is so little genuine Asian food around that often we have to settle for poor imitation, especially the cuisine of Southeast Asia in all its diversity (Malaysian is not Indonesian, Thai is not Vietnamese, Singapore is not ... well, you get the picture). It seems like "pan Asian" in the UK often means I have a pan, I visited Asia, I'm going to have a go at cooking it. Great expectations for here because of the inclusion of SE Asian dishes on the menu. How was it in my buku? OK - I think in those moments of giddy elation just to have something that resembled Asian food I pronounced it "delicious" to the server - but the fried rice was pretty standard, serious lack of spice combinations and needed a dollop of kicap manis (kecap in Indonesian) that sets the nasgors of Malaysia and Indonesia apart from the blander "oriental" fried rices of other parts. Chuck in a few crackers why don't you - no nasi goreng server anywhere in Malaysia or Indonesia serves a fried rice without crackers to scoop it up with. I asked for extra chillies, which I got, but try laying out a few genuine sambals to boot. The fried tofu was, alas, like so much tofu in these parts like fried cardboard compared to the scrumptious crispy on the outside, moist on the inside tofu goreng of SE Asia street vendors (try serving it with kecap manis and onions,now that's something). Did see that there was Ikan Bakar (grilled fish) on the day menu but no great fish eater. Service officious - hey, I was a single diner who ordered two mains (one to take home) plus a side, how about tossing me a free dessert to be nice - and pleasant enough, that's all. When it comes to the potential offerings from SE Asia, there's a whole smorgasbord out there: gado2, tempe - now that could be a hit if done right - rendang ayam or sapi and, for that tofu, try doing a tahu telur with a kecap manis sauce, now we're cooking. I left a healthy tip, thought i would be back but, on reflection, nope, not worth it when it really doesn't cut the martabak for me (talking of martabak, that would get...

This is an honest and fair review - Me and my partner came here on Saturday evening. This was our first time coming here, having lived in herne bay for 20+ years in quite surprised I haven't been before. But I must say, we was both left feeling disappointed. The food was good and so was the service , but the whole restaurant seriously lacks finesse. Where we was sat all you could see was the buildings from outside , which aren't the nicest looking buildings. So that instantly reminds you that you’re in the middle of town that is very run down. There was music on, but was so quiet and was like spa music (where’s the theme in this place?) my gin and my partners beer both came in a tumbler glass, our meals was brought to us one by one just in hand (no tray? Or serving table) … you see where I’m going with this?

Point is, it felt like we was sat in a cafe eating a dinner. I can’t understand what the theme of this place is? There is no theme. Such small adjustments to this place would change the game!

• Proper glasses for the right drinks • Thai , Chinese style music • take the frosted glass on the window all the way up so you feel your somewhere else and not looking at those buildings • plants , Chinese / Thai ornaments - something to resemble the theme • candles on tables , meals brought with finesse etc etc etc.

Other than this; everyone was really polite and friendly and food was good. But because of the reasons I have said I wouldn’t spend money on this place again. UNLESS it was to make adjustments.

I really hope this review helps the business and takes...

Lots of appetising dishes, served with pretty variable quality. My dish tasted like a fairly average chow mein (not what I expected from the description, but it didn't taste bad either). The sweet and sour chicken in my partner's dish tasted great, but the stir-fry veg was pretty much raw and the rice was strongly peppery. The aromatic duck was delicious, but could benefit from more pancakes, sauce, cucumber and spring onions. The beer drinkers in the group were pretty disappointed that the beers were served warm, especially as some of the options need to be served very cold. Overall a pretty mixed bag. Given how good some of the local takeaway options are, I'd probably go there instead.

I also witnessed some of the worst service I've seen at a restaurant. Everyone we spoke to was very young (not a problem in itself) and didn't really know anything about the dishes or drink options, so I wondered if the normal managers were all ill or on holiday. Unfortunately, I can only review the people who were on shift, who were generally slow, unprofessional, lazy. They didn't say anything rude, but there was a lot of eye-rolling and audible sighing for pretty standard requests (e.g. some water alongside our drinks and enough cutlery...