Rice Republic — Restaurant in London

UPDATE Since posting this review on 11/5/21, the restaurant owner/manager have created an Instagram profile with my images and name suggesting I'm a phone theft scammer in Streatham (sharing with Streatham community). They have also made a false response review (as George Lewis). Given the poor grammar and detail in what has happened there is no doubt the owner/manager have done this in response to my review and it's clearly harassment. I will be notifying the police about their responses to a genuine review.

Visited pre covid for dinner, was excited about dining here based on the dim sum/wider menu. Whilst waiting to place my order a criminal pretending to be homeless and asking for money was able to visit every table and harass diners (while the manager simply watched and did nothing). After they had decided to loiter around our table and harrass us they discreetly stole my mobile from the table. I had only realised after the manager eventually forced them to leave. After complaining to the manager and owner about their responsibility to make the restaurant a safe environment, the owner seemed dismissive. After further complaints to the manager from me/other diner this bizarrely resulted in him offereing me his phone and crying. He gave me his number and suggested the owner/manager would compensate me (at least something towards the new £700 phone). Both subsequently denied responsibility and blocked my comms. Underhanded, unprofessional and lacking any morals/integrity. Very disappointed.

Also, now I've discovered the 2 star hygiene rating I'm glad I won't...

I feel bad giving 2 stars but I kinda have to. I ordered at lunch time today for delivery at 20 past 7 this evening. I have to acknowledge its Chinese new year and therefore these guys are extremely busy but at the same time they took £60 out of my account immediately upon order, rather than waiting to confirm that my order had been accepted. I didn't receive any contact to confirm my order was going ahead until half 6, and at that point they told me it would be with me by 8, which ultimately would have been fine. I rang and spoke to a guy who said he would sort it as soon as he was able to get a driver which, fair enough, it was Chinese New years therefore they're all extremely busy. I spoke to the guy a couple of times over the intervening hour or so and he ultimately gave us a refund which I was grateful for. Our food arrived at quarter to 10 - 2 and a half hours after we had expected it - and stone cold. I completely get the busyness this evening and wish they had just rejected our order when we'd made it, as now they've had to lose money from our order, but ultimately I'm not willing to pay £60 for a cold order that arrived 2 and a half hours late. My extra star is to acknowledge that it's extremely busy and not completely within...

Went here after reading all the glowing reviews. it was Dec 22nd and I was taking my friend out for birthday dinner.

The broccoli is the best broccoli I've ever tasted in my life. 10/10

The pork buns are some of the worst Pork buns I have ever tasted, you would literally be better off at Iceland, the inside was dry and devoid of sauce and looked a bit like a like packet mixture. 2/10

The egg thing was amazing, 8/10.

The mini ribs we average at best, tasted like they had no seasoning and cooked in own juice, not bad but poor effort for a restaurant, fatty. 3/10

The dumplings were all average (prawn+scallop, pork) not bad at all but not great 5/10

Atmosphere and Chinese tea was nice.

Played Xmas songs on REPEAT so let me tell you this.... nobody, I repeat NOBODY wants to lidyedln to 10 Xmas songs on repeat whilst on a dining experience. The managers must be on drugs.

Tip: if you are going to go here order 1 broccoli as a starter... Realise how good it is and then order 5 for main course. Everything else is just a dissapointing mess but the broccoli is honestly worth...