Hutong for birthday celebration, 3 people. Mixed feelings about Hutong... summary, was ok and did enjoy food and venue but could do better. Lacking the luxury wow experience.

First the bad, ordered the most expensive set menu azalea x3. And I was prepared to have small portions, the menu looks big but in reality, you get one of each dumpling (3 per person in total) and about 6 slices of duck with 2 pancakes (server told me it was half a duck for 2 people, so 3 people I would expect more...I kid you not 17 slices in total). And the rest of the duck taken away? Part 2 of the food, 2 prawns each, 3 cubes of beef, decent amount of green beans and noodles...half the portion of a regular Chinese restaurant...to share between 3. I couldn't believe my eyes I had to check with a manager who basically said it was correct and left. I was also asked who's birthday it was at reception ( it was asked when I made the booking), but Hutong did nothing at all with the information, to make the birthday girl feel special. I've been to many high end luxury restaurants and very regular restaurants who have done so much more to make an occasion special.  I mean why ask? Not a luxury experience at all for the venue and in my opinion pushing the limit on the portion sizes for about £100 per person.

Ok, the good...all staff service polite, in line with expectations. Was given a window seat, thank you so much, I know it wasn't guaranteed and I really appreciate it. Venue, quite pretty. FOOD, all the food tasted really good and 3 of us had zero complaints on taste. Most enjoyed by all was actually the duck, crispy skin and melt in the mouth, fatty, but in a good way. This is up there with the best anywhere. And the large prawns, beef and beans really good. Dessert, very good, warm choc tart and refreshing sorbet.  Oh, and for booking in advance,limited time offer, there were welcome cocktails (says the cheapest set menu £39 is excluded). Thank you for this too. Oh, and the duck carving at table, very nice theatre.

Thoughts, if you just want the experience,  get the small set menu. Don't forget drinks and service charge. If you want to taste the food Azalea menu was decent. If you like to really eat, not sample the food, order double of everything or go somewhere else. Hope this review helps y'all!

UPDATE: As I have shown interest in Hutong, a social media pop up appeared advertising the Azalea menu. Its the last picture and shows 2 sets of dumplings, suggesting this is a couples meal for 2. Yet the duck quantity of slices is exactly the same as what I received for 3 people and the other dishes look pretty much identical too. So I am of the conclusion they only increased the portions that would be noticed such as extra dumplings and a desert for the 3rd person. Pictures others have posted here suggest that the duck portion i got was in keeping with a couples portion too as I can see it is the smallest. Mistake? Maybe. I reached out to Hutong before writing this as I hate not to give a chance to them to explain or rectify. The restaurant manager (i will not name), said "All promotional material is intended to offer an overview of the current offering, not implying that the details shown will be exactly matching the real dishes". I call it misleading advertising or overcharging. I also got the standard response, sorry you were not happy, we will feedback your comments. I've been offered some bubbles but I have no intention of visiting again anytime soon to spend more money to enjoy some bubbly.

They've missed the point completely, give people what they've paid for (why are you trying to save money on cheap noodles,duck and a few tiny cubes of cheap beef?). Secondly, look into and own your restaurant errors and rectify them. For the restaurant manager, repond to me privately or come back to me here if you wish.