San — Restaurant in Chelmsford

It was our first visit to San which offers an "All You Can Eat" service. With such an offer in place we had expected the food to be laid out in a Buffet style presentation. It was not to be, once seated and the menu contemplated, a waiter visits the table to make note of the selections made. Once the order was taken our choices were relayed to the kitchen where it was freshly cooked before being brought to table. Being our first visit we were unaware of how big the portion sizes would be. We had expected them to be relatively small, allowing for multiple buffet style choices to be enjoyed, they were not. Each portion was of the size we have come to expect in Chinese restaurants, they were quite large. Potential visitors to Sans should note this and order accordingly. The restaurant has a printed warning - it does not like, approve of, or welcome those who over - order and end up leaving unwanted food on their plates. The chef apparently been known for being upset with some who have effectively wasted their cooking. It is far better to order food which is initially feared might not prove adequate unto the need, additional portions are readily forthcoming from the kitchen if required. The food we ordered was freshly cooked and very tasty. Our visit to Sans was nothing but a pleasurable experience, we certainly did not depart from it feeling hungry or dissatisfied. There is no doubt we will return to the restaurant in days to come and would have no trouble in telling friends of our experience gained from our visit there. Why only "Four Stars"?...

I visited San’s on Saturday for my friends birthday with a group of around 13 others - when we arrived we was approached with great Customer Service by the staff downstairs until the young waitress with teenage attitude started to take our orders from our tables upstairs. We let this pass as it was a large group which may have been overwhelming for her until it continued even by a simple question regarding their menu; we just received even more attitude and quite frankly it was pretty rude.

My fried chicken starter arrived and I took one bite & it was still raw inside. When I approached the members of staff it was just ignored. Again, my patience was thin at this point but as I was hungry I ordered my main which was fried squid. I took one bite out of the squid and it tasted just like battered flour. At this point the waitress made me feel uncomfortable and the food was terrible! When I approached the staff it was brought to their attention that I will not be paying for the food, the “owner” came over and rudely took the food from my plate, put it in his mouth and asked me what was wrong with it. His professionalism was slouchy & rude just like his staff. I think it’s fair to say that I WILL NOT be returning to this place.

I’d recommend spending a little bit more for amazing food and visiting...

Fairly frequent patron here, and tonight's midweek meal pleasantly surprised. Even on a Wednesday evening, the lively ambiance buzzed with couples and celebratory groups. Unlike past visits, tonight's vibe truly sparkled. Highlights include the standout Chicken Hot Pot with Toban sauce—impressive!—and the Deep-Fried Salt and Chilli King Prawns were pure delight. Regrettably, the potential of the Salt and Chilli Spare Ribs got lost in overcooking—a kitchen slip-up that shouldn't have left the kitchen.

Consistently winning were the Sizzling Oriental dishes, like the King Prawn with Ginger and Spring Onions. Remember, San thrives in its buzz, guaranteeing both good food and vibes. Avoid off-peak times. Service had a minor hiccup taking a while to get served but recovered well.

Considering around £30/head midweek with soft drinks and 10% service charge is fair for this quality, especially compared to neighbouring tables paying £36 each, inclusive of a few alcoholic beverages. The food truly dazzles when it's busy, though a modern decor update wouldn't hurt. Insider tip: snag local road parking after 6:00 p.m. In essence, choosing this quality buffet lets you relish diverse flavours without a hefty bill. It's not Songs buffet; it's a tasteful fusion of buffet...