The Emperor — Restaurant in London

My family and I used to be frequent customers at this restaurant. At one occasion, my son was crying and I had a waiter come up to my family and I and say that we are making people leave and we should go outside until my son calms down. I was extremely offended. We talked to the manager infront of the waiter and told him what happened and he was decent about it and gave my son a lollipop. So we thought, no big deal, they made up for the situation. So then we booked to have a table for Valentine’s Day for my family and my parents. As soon as we walked in, my 2 year old was sleeping but my newborn was crying because we had just walked in from the cold wind outside. Literally before we even reached our table, the manager said to us that if ur son is going to cry then we will not serve you. He was extremely rude. My mom told him that he’s being rude and of course if the baby cries then we will do our best to calm him down but at the end of the day, kids cry sometimes. However he carried on being rude and saying yh but if he cries we will not serve you. It’s Valentine’s Day so if he cries u go. So we replied that yes we are here for vday and we even booked several days in advance. So we have a right to enjoy as much as anyone else. By then my baby had already stopped crying but the manager was relentless. He looked at me and said, if ur baby cries, go sit in the car until he calms down. Once he calms down u will be allowed to come back inside. My mom replied to him saying that he’s being extremely rude and we have already said that we will calm him down if he cries but babies cry, they aren’t robots. When we finally sat down, he came towards us and said, actually I’ve decided I don’t want to serve you today so please leave my restaurant. I was in shock by how continually rude he was being. We got up and started getting our stuff and another waiter came from behind and whispered apologies to me. As we were getting up, the manager kept saying leave my restaurant I don’t want to serve you. And he then said, actually I know you are regular customers but ur never welcome in my restaurant again. I will not serve you if u come again. We said, seriously, after all this you think we would come again? Then while we were heading to the door, the waiter who was rude to us the previous time came and started saying just leave already and called my mom names and was almost shoving her out of the door, even tho she was trying to navigate the pram, he went right up to her and was pushing her out the door and she had to tell him to step away from her. He just kept saying just leave already. I have never ever seen such horrible customer service. They are beyond rude and should honestly have their restaurant shut down for just how horribly rude they are. If they have such a massive issue with kids then put up a sign saying no kids allowed. He ruined our Valentine’s Day and made us feel extremely upset by the whole situation. I suggest staying away from this restaurant. People go out not just for decent food but for a good time and trust me, with their attitude, you will not have a good time. I’m...

I am a little conflicted from last night. As a family we have been coming to The Emperor since the 80's, since I was a child myself. Last night was a special night for my mother as it was her birthday. I had booked a table for 8, but unfortunately, my niece and nephews all ended up sick with a virus.

We ended up ordering from the set menu, the food itself was not as good as it normally is and did not even look pleasing to the eye. The braised mushroom and bamboo shoot was disgusting. There was not enough pancakes for the duck.

Everytime we wanted to order more food, we were looked at as we shouldn't, even though it was a set menu. The service was slow, I expect they want to serve slow, so that you get full quickly and end up paying £32 regardless of what you order, which is really bad.

There was food leftover and for the first time we asked for a doggie bag for my mum to take home, which every restaurant we go to provide if there is anything leftover. We were shocked to be told that is not possible, WHAT? Apparently people order lots to than take home, so what? If are paying for the food, it is up to them if they want to take it home. I didn't want to make a big deal as it was my mother's birthday, but the restaurant had no right to refuse their customer request for something that we were going to pay and the bill was not cheap.

This has put me off ever returning to that restaurant and even though before we left my mother did tell the server off, as a family we have decided not to return here again, being served on a timely manner and professionally is very important to us, would I recommend this restaurant, not anymore.

Very...

I have been visiting the Emperor for many years. When I first visited, the 'buffet' style that remains in place today was somewhere between £18-20. Presenting very good value for money.

We visited again last week as a party of 4 and paid £37 without drinks. This means £148. Keep in mind, this is standard Chinese take away style food created for westerners. Tasty to a fault, but it is not gourmet. Due to the concept of one fixed price, you would order more than you would in a restaurant where items are ordered 'fixed price'. At £148 for 4 people, this is not cheap. Example - Mandarin Kitchen ' Seriously Good - Jay Rayner ' in Queensway, we paid £160 for 4, without drinks and this is a highly regarded establishment. Yes, we ordered a la carte, but enough food for 4. At the Emperor any beef dish is inedible. Lamb - which Chinese generally do not eat anyway, is fatty. The crispy duck is exceptionally dry. Fried rice has not seen a wok !

However, in fairness, it is what it is and at £20-£25, I would consider it good value for a once a year jaunt, at a push.

I will not be returning. It is on the outskirts of London and with an excess of 1,000 Chinese eateries in London there are much better options. I have closed a chapter on the Emperor...