House of Delight — Restaurant in Maldon

We had an early dinner here today. I want to start with the good points, there were many! The food was delicious, we cannot find one thing to complain about in this regard. Not only was the food delicious, but it was brought out incredibly quickly and it was scalding hot! The restaurant itself was lovely, loads of tables, loads of space, air conditioned and accomodates babies and families too - which can be difficult to find now!

However, the service was inexcusably poor. The staff were, on the whole (with one or two exceptions), pushy, impatient, dismissive and rude. Our table of 6 was booked for 5pm, when they open. I had booked the night before, so was absolutely delighted that they were able to give us a table with such short notice! It was made clear to me on the phone that they needed the table back by 18:50, which is totally reasonable.

When we arrived, we were immediately asked what we'd like to drink. Our party hadn't all arrived yet, we had just sat down and hadn't sorted out the baby's high chair. Then, less than two minites later, we were asked again. Then, we were asked a third time. All of these demands were within an unreasonable timeframe. It was clear from our body language (consulting the menu), that we were not yet ready to order.

Once we had decided, service was quick and efficient, but the word I'd use to describe it is "curt". It was painfully obvious that they were worried we would not vacate our table in time for their (presumably) next booking for our table at 7pm. Once we had finished our food, fortune cookies and chocolates were placed on our table without asking us if we would like drinks or to see the dessert menu. I recall looking at my watch when this happened, it was 18:00 (within a 5 minutes margin of error). As it happened, we did want dessert. It was a special occasion and my grandmother (whose birthday we were celebrating) loves toffee banana and was looking forward to it. When we asked to see the dessert menu, the boss exchanged words with another member of staff and it was clear that the fortune cookies and chocolates had been placed on the table to signal to us that we were finished and had to leave. They were not pleased when we asked to see the desserts menu. Despite this, they brought them over to us. We attempted to order and were told (I believe this was at around 18:05) that our selections would take too long and that we couldn't have them, we should instead choose something else.

Personally, I believe this is because they wanted to make sure they could turn our table around - if this is why, then it is absolutely unacceptable. However, perhaps the kitchen was busy as it was Saturday at peak time. Better service would have been to tell us before letting us spend time choosing that certain desserts were not available. It is baffling to me that they would willingly squander an additional ~£40 on desserts and hot drinks, but perhaps they had good reason to do this. We had plenty of time to have eaten dessert.

The service left us feeling like we had inconvenienced the staff and made us feel very unwelcome. Despite the excellent food (and it was excellent!), we would not go back.

Pricing wise, it was £183.10 for a party of 6 (with drinks), you can decide whether or not it was good value for money.

Edit (3/08/2025): I am very grateful to the restaurant for their response and have increased my star rating as a result. Whilst I likely wouldn't return, I appreciate you taking the time to respond to...

Food was very nice, one of the best Chineses Iv had accept the chop suey but I would of preferred a takeaway due to feeling very uncomfortable in the restaurant. We ordered a glass of water because we do not drink alcohol or anything else accept tea and coffee, my daughter is the only one who will have an alcholic drink and ordered a vodka and cranberry but felt uncomfortable because of this. We couldn't settle properly as felt like we were being watched and staff kept coming to the table, came out hungry so brought food on way home. I think the portions are small and double the price to a takeaway price I understand that's because we ate in but definitely full up from a takeaway just not by eating in. Very uncomfortable feeling and not very welcoming, when booking was told in at 5 leave by 7 was told this a couple of times. In there for less than an hour because of the uncomfortable feeling we decided not to order any deserts. This was a meal out for our daughters 18th and she did not have a nice time feeling very awkward. We also felt...

This is an unassuming Chinese Restaurant at the bottom of the High Street. Its sign looks like it was made in the 1970's but inside there is plush carpet, tables on all sizes and shapes neatly laid atop of linen tableclothes and napkins. Spoon and fork or chopsticks - you decide.

We had a lovely welcome and were shown to our table quicly followed by a dish of prawn crackers and asked about drinks. We declined and discussed what to eat, settling on set menu D3 (top one). Mixed starters followed by Duck Pancakes rounding off with special rice and 3 dishes - prawn, beef and chicken all lovingly presented. At this stage I would normally include some pictures but the food simply screamed 'try me'! So you will have to go yourself.

The staff were so friendly and helpful as well.

I would urge you to book to get the day & time you want.

A pre dinner walk along the nearby 'Prom' to work up an apetite would be a good call...