Canton Blue — Restaurant in London

After extensive research looking for the perfect Christmas dinner out with my family, we chose Canton Blue thinking this would tick a lot of boxes. A member of the family is Coeliac and called up far ahead before booking to see if that could be accommodated for, to which we were assured this would be really simple and easy to deal with for most if not all menu items.

However upon arrival, this member was told they could only have two things on the entire menu, and that these would be sub par due to most sauces, noodles and seasonings containing gluten.

Eventually the chef agreed to compromise so that this person had more food to eat - however the entire meal was not up to scratch for any of us. The menu resembles westernised Chinese food, with familiar take-away menu items, as opposed to authentic Cantonese food, and honestly the quality was not much better than your average Chinese.

The menu was not explained or walked through for any of us, so there was much confusion about how/what to order, how much and whether this was shared or individual, plus the table was so crowded with plates, bowls, cutlery and decoration that I couldn't even open my menu without almost knocking things over. When food arrived it was placed so far in the centre of the table that we all had to reach across each other to get it - fine if you're at a casual restaurant/at home, but at a fine dining establishment very uncomfortable. It seems as though the actual dining experience has not been thought through at all from the point of view of the diner.

All dishes were well overpriced for the quality and size. For example the pecking duck took so long to cut (a flashy display) that it was almost cold by the time we ate it.

The staff were attentive, yet the whole night I felt uncomfortable, watched, negatively viewed and generally made to feel like a nuisance for even being there.

Overall the atmosphere simply felt cold and unnerving, and was the worst dining experience I have had in London, especially...

Seeing the number of overly pedantic, obnoxiously negative reviews that have so far been given to this restaurant continues to baffle me. Given the Hotel itself- let alone the restaurant- have only recently opened officially, I would expect a few mistakes whilst the kitchen and service staff finding their footing and have the opportunity to iron out any issues within to prevent further reoccurrence. As is the case with any new establishment. It’s an injustice if anything.

Even having said that, my first experience here was incredible. Our table was booked on a whim as a last minute birthday celebration and from the moment I walked into the building I was met with the most wonderfully warm and attentive service which I feel has been lacking amongst many high end hospitality establishments. Personality encumbered with professionalism makes all the difference.

The interior is visually stunning, and every detail down to the delivery and presentation of each menu item combined with a luxurious atmosphere provided an exceptional experience. This left me pleasantly surprised given the pricing is relatively mid-tier. All of the food and drink options we chose were excellent, standing out both in taste and presentation. A refreshing uniqueness that still celebrated the history and flavours of classic cantonese cuisine.

I am very much looking forward...

Embark on a culinary odyssey at Canton Blue, nestled within the refined embrace of Peninsula Hotel London. As soon as you enter the restaurant, the aroma of centuries-old culinary traditions welcomes you into a world where gastronomy is elevated to an art form. The dining room, a symphony of muted yellow, red and blue hues and understated luxury, sets the stage for an evening of unparalleled indulgence.

Seated beneath the soft glow of elegant china plates, the menu, a meticulous curation of Cantonese delights, pays homage to the rich tapestry of Chinese cuisine while embracing contemporary flair.

Begin the culinary sojourn with delicate dim sum, each morsel a testament to the precision of the kitchen's craft. The Peking duck, a star on Canton Blue's gastronomic constellation, arrives with a theatrical flourish, its crispy skin and succulent meat promising a symphony of textures and flavours.

Canton Blue, at the Peninsula Hotel London, is not merely a restaurant; it's a sanctuary for the epicurean soul. Here, every ingredient is a protagonist, and every dish a chapter in a gastronomic novel that unfolds with each impeccably...