Enigma Pan Asian — Restaurant in London

I booked for my mum’s birthday. On my reservation I requested a nice booth, and something complimentary. I received an email to confirm this.

The restaurant is obviously stunning, I’d say slightly tacky but definitely something to see, and felt posh for the location. Picture worthy for sure.

Upon arrival, the server couldn’t read English enough to recognise my booking. The manager (I think) came and assisted.

He was giving us just a normal area, not one of the nicer tables. I discussed my request and he said they never guarantee. Well that was a minus point from the get go, I said that should have been transparent so my expectations were realistic. However, I managed to persuade him to give us the booth for 6 people even though there were 5 of us. It was a lovely table and area. This was pleasing to the eye.

About the complimentary birthday request - he said if we buy a dessert he can get a sparkler and drizzle ‘happy birthday’. Nothing free of charge. Then I managed to get him to agree to offer one free drink to her at least.

Food portions were so small for a family meal, but tasty. However, some dishes were unnecessarily spicy.

The servers didn’t understand English enough, kept misunderstanding us, couldn’t tell us anything about the dishes.

When we ordered the Barbie drink they didn’t even get our Ken joke. There was no politeness. Just formality.

The menu was misleading. Had soft drinks of “halal” coke etc but then juices which were under a different subheading - so, are they not considered “soft”? Hmm. Then they had mocktails, but the next heading had “mojitos” with no indication of 0 alcohol even though the demographic was muslim, it just was confusing. Within the mojito list was “virgin” which you’d conclude was non alcoholic, but “champagne mojito” not so much. It being £13 for basically a small amount of Shloer - no thank you. If you want to be halal then why even serve drinks with alcoholic names - a bit contradictory. Your main customers don’t want alcohol and those who would want alcohol wouldn’t want mocktails of it, so it makes no sense.

The chicken dumplings were a little dry, but the noodles were delicious.

Servers took our plates and cutlery between starters and main course, but then brought out hot mains without cutlery and we had to ask for it.

The Won Ton was not authentic tasting, and was a little unusual.

The “hot” towels we got before dessert, when should have been later, were in fact lukewarm. When we told the server he didn’t understand so it was frustrating by the end of the night to even bother trying to communicate. To be honest, there shouldn’t be customer facing staff who can only speak their native tongue.

The manager and one other server kept saying “birthday dessert” out loud when I was trying to secretly organise this small gesture.

There seemed to be little etiquette to be honest.

When we asked for a takeaway box for our leftovers, the guy just gave us containers with attitude, probably unintentionally. I wouldn’t be returning. Was a one off experience. Underwhelming, just overrated for the locals who want to feel swanky and think this is high end food, or just for their social media posts. Even the theatrical drinks were a let down. Was all fancy from the decor and illusion but not worth the £200 bill. I’ve spent this amount when alcohol is involved, you don’t expect that from somewhere like this.

In terms of atmosphere, it was a bit disjointed and some tables too loud for no reason, as if drunk on 0%.

It received a point for making my mum feel special in a way, with a free drink and the (paid for) dessert as she didn’t know how I had to push for just this.

It’s a shame when places like this lack in generosity and feel like they’re top notch. Doesn’t make a customer want to return. If you check my other reviews of for eg Arcade, you’ll see the difference.

For a new place as well you’d expect facilities to be maintained, one of the two female toilet cubicles...

VERY BAD EXPERIENCE, ARROGANT PEOPLE 😡

I went to this restaurant yesterday. Service they offered was extremely poor and low. At the very beginning we informed the waiter who served us, there will be one person joining us late, he suggested that we all could move to a different table once he joined or he could arrange by adding a table along with a chair to the one we were seated.

We ordered 2 mains along with a soup and a starter for four of us awaiting to order more till my husband was visiting after work.

Nearly to the time we were expecting my husband, two of us ordered desserts and the waiter who approached us was asking are we ordering starters? Which should be before the main course which I assume he never had a clue about the serving pattern also he had a language barrier whereas he couldnt speak English very well.

Once my husband reached, I asked him to add a chair or a table as he promised. This guy informed that he’s unable to add the chair and he approached a guy who was holding a tablet could be his supervisor. He approached us and he checked his tablet for what we have ordered and he brought up with a policy which we were never being informed. While my husband was stood up without a chair the whole time, he was informing that we should at least order 3 mains where as we were never being Informed. We told him clearly that were gonna order more as I was expecting my husband and he still refused to add a chair neither a table he told both of us to sit separate from my friends breaking all the promises where as the long table was occupied by another couple of people.

This middle aged guy who was holding the tablet was so arrogant as so as the waiter. It is evident that he’s discriminating us. What I reckon was this place was never invited for all cultures except for Arabic’s they clearly discriminating us. Till all this discussion was going on my husband stood up the whole time near the table and we asked for the check and we left the place immediately. My husband came right after he’s finishing work. He’s an engineer working for Transport for London. They act like we couldn’t afford to eat even though we told we’re gonna order more even though we told them on several occasions that we were waiting for his presence.

I was highly disappointed. I’m working in the field of hospitality in a five star hotel in London as a Guest experience Manager and i know clearly this is not how hospitality should work.

Lastly this owner guy came out informing that his colleagues may had a bad day where as he became arrogant towards us. This owner was a nice guy though yet we were humiliated by his colleague. Before we leave, we had a chat with him and he invited us to have a meal in the near future. I’m so sorry to tell that we would never ever would step foot back into this place ever again rather we would visit a different five star property than this hell hole.

The check which was offered to us was mentioned as a Test on the top to avoid us putting any reviews for the property

We were nearly stressed since we got out of this shitty place. We were all 3 couples having a meet after a party and long time not being able to see each other. This place was a hell hole literally ruined our whole day to be honest.

This is my first time writing a bad review, I was never experienced...

Enigma Pan Asian Restaurant a Stone throwaway from Londons Ilford Tube station via the Elizabeth line and Central line and is accessible through other bus routes. My first impression of the building is it had lots of modern units and a stand out being Enigma with a transparent shop front being brightly lit, it was very modern with amazing artistry and decor with a colourful Pan Asian theme, As I walk through the door I noticed Enigma walls and rugs and a spectacular water feature wall, The ceiling was brightly dazzling as I peered up I could see thousands of crystal lights and usually I don’t film or take pictures but felt the need to take a selfie. The host were welcoming, presentable, guiding and super friendly and the restaurant was busy with a buzzing environment and nice chilling music adding to the atmosphere. We were lead to our section which was next to the water feature wall and the chairs were very comfortable, one of the managers recommended us a range of starters the Enigma platter which consisted of Chicken Caraj, Wasabi Prawns, Lamb satay and Veg dumplings, My favourite being the Vegtempura and Chicken dumplings we also ordered a range of beverages unique signature mock-tails but I went with a Strawberry mojito which was very tangy zesty and sweet which was full of flavour then our starters came quite prompt I especially liked the Korean fried chicken wings and Mega Enigma Sushi platter which included 16 pieces of assorted sushi we finished the starters with hardly any waste and everything was delicious, the service was very friendly attentive polite and prompt, My colleague decided we would all order ourselves individually on the main course. We ordered a Tee bone stake, Mongolian beef, Castu chicken, Sea Bream Chilli sizzler, Singapore Chilli prawns, Nasi Goreng Hong Kong shrimp noodles, Beef Randang curry came with jasmine rice, Fire cracker chicken noodles then we ordered grilled king prawns, Enigma mixed grill which included A Grilled chicken on the bone, lamb chops, chicken stake and grilled prawns and I ordered a Wagu burger and Dragon chips and for sides we had hand cut chips, mixed salted vegetables, salted asparagus, mix salted vegetables and for desert a chocolate cake and my favourite main dishes were the Nasi Nagrang, the Wagu burger and dragon chips and the Wagu burger was one of the best quality burgers which was full of flavour that I’ve had in any restaurant. Can’t fault Enigma in any way delicious Pan Asian food, beverages and desert, Unfortunately couldn’t taste everything on the menu and will definitely be back with my family and friends. A massive thank you to the chefs, management and all the staff for looking after us and gave us a memorable experience we will definitely be back.

And this is how you can make a reservation..!

OPENING TIMES Mon to Fri 5.30pm to 11pm Sat to Sun 1pm to 11pm LOCATION 0203 340 1389 +447301055429 booking@enigmapanasian.co.uk Unit 4, iScene, Clements Road,...