Grand Village Imperial — Restaurant in Cherwell District

Have seen this restaurant every time we go to Bicester Village and decided this time to give it a try. Was very excited with high expectations as review of the place from google is really good. Sadly, we will be one of the minority I suppose who had a bad experience here and will never go back. We came at around 5 pm and was seated. As quite familiar with Chinese menu, went straight to ordering food. Almost an hour later, food still has not arrived. There were 2 filled tables when we got there. Totally get it that there might be a lot of takeaways but our expectations should have been managed. What made it worse, a family with three kids came later than us but got their orders, finished eating and was even able to pack their takeaways and not even one of the dishes we ordered has arrived. Our toddler who has always been very patient is starting to loose it nearing the 1 hour mark. It did not help that a couple who arrived around 15 minutes before 6 got their starters of seaweed and some meat in skewers even before any of our dishes arrived! When I asked where our food is, I did not get a clear answer. Communication is quite difficult. Then at 6 pm, a bowl of crab and corn soup came. We were not in a good mood at this time and it didn’t help that the soup tasted off. It was very fishy and really something we cannot force ourselves to eat. We have eaten a lot if crab and corn soup in our lives but this totally put us off. Totally understand too if this is their recipe but it really tastes off! We shared this with one of the waitresses and she apologized and asked if we want to replace it with another soup. I said maybe wonton instead. She left only to come back with the same soup saying it is how it tastes and maybe can change it to chicken or wonton then explained to us what is inside wonton. My husband got exasperated and said never mind. We don’t want anything. We said wonton already earlier when she asked so why come back with the same bowl of food we cannot eat and ask if we want something else?! The worst part is they still charged us for it. My husband did not even contest it and paid the whole bill. We will never come back. Service is atrocious. Waiting time too long with no apologies. Never again. We will bring our...

Wow the decor is exquisite! I have been to quite a few Chinese restaurants and this one is highly rated amongst them. Located in the Bicester retail park opposite Bicester village, this restaurant is tastefully furnished.

Please please note, ensure you register your car reg number with the restaurant reception, failure to do this can cost you an unexpected ticket 😱 the car park is not free though extensively large.

The entrance has this massive sanitisation walk through that sprays you as you go in though it was switched off when we visited last Thursday, they also have what looks like shield stands by each table seating as part of their COVID regulations (I did find that funny though 😀)

The menu was extensive and to eliminate language barrier, each meal has a tick box next to facilitate the waiter's job, the ones we met couldn't really speak English which wasn't a problem as they had this in place 👍🏼

The food was nice! The crispy lamb wasn't too great though and the chicken skewers on the starter menu as well but everything else we ordered was good 👌🏼The waiters were very helpful as well and nothing was too hard for them to do 👏🏼👏🏼that to me is great service. Oh and you can request for doggy bags and takeaway boxes for your leftovers 😁

The pricing wasn't too bad and the waiting time was very short perhaps because it was a week day. The bar area has a variety of drinks available from sodas, to alcoholic drinks to mocktails etc

The decor in the restrooms and upstairs was grand 😍 and I think they have a private dining area which I thought I stumbled across when I used the restroom but please check with the restaurant.

Overall, I would visit again and I recommend for a good evening out, a date, girly...

I did love this place, but sadly today I was very disappointed. I pre ordered one wonton soup, I was told 10mins, so I had a browse in Next. I arrived at Imperial Village 20mins later and it wasn't ready. They had a big party in and having served for many years in restaraunts I understand how busy it can get so I was happy to wait a further 10 minutes especially as I love won ton soup and from my past experiences here i thought the wait would be worth it. A further 5 minutes later and along came my baggy and I couldn't wait to tuck in... Oh god it was AWFUL The soup tasted of peppered hot water, it was disgusting, and the dumplings were falling apart into mush, the cabbage was boiled into a see through mushy nothingness adding a kind of off taste to the already yucky peppery water. The worst part was the Prawns inside the dumplings were rock hard! I never throw food away but this was inedible, I could have cried, I was so looking forward to my soup and it was so gross I wouldn't have even given it to the dog. I threw it away, that's how bad it was. I am hoping it was a lapse in the Imperial Village usual fabulous culinary abilities due to the large party dining in. We were planning on having my birthday here, but I am quite doubtful now. I've eaten here before with absolutely no issues, always happy and delicious and great service... Not today though. I am so disappointed. No I'm absolutely gutted. I don't normally buy food in the day, this was supposed to be a treat and I ummed and ahhed about it for ages. I wish I'd saved my money and was still living in ignorance. So...