Yema Pan Asian Restaurant — Restaurant in Newport

I recently heard about an Oriental fine dining restaurant opening in Caerleon and on checking the sample menu online decided to book for a special birthday. As someone with a gluten allergy, I am rarely able to eat Chinese or Japanese food but the menu seemed to have a good number of gluten free alternatives. The menu when we arrived was the same as the online one with the same gluten free options so I ordered a starter main and salad. Several minutes later the kitchen staff sent the waiter back to explain that both the starter and main did include gluten. I complained about the mis-labelling and that had the online menu been accurate I would not have booked, but I was able to order something instead with the assurance that something would be done for me. The experience was dampened further when one of our five mains did not turn up. We could see into the kitchen and that meal was hurriedly prepared and delivered without apology (It was however removed from the bill at the end). The meals themselves were generally very good if somewhat overpriced. The bill was presented at the end and I had every expectation that something would be done in apology. Nothing was obvious and when questioned I was told the service charge had been removed. This was news to me as I had seen nothing to suggest that there would be a service charge which I understand should be adequately advertised. I explained that I was not happy but apparently having a different view to the person in charge and asking for further consideration is enough to be labelled as rude. At no point did I use any profanity or raise my voice and yet I was being rude for not immediately accepting the token...

Have been twice now and had two quite different experiences hence the mixed review

The first time food was excellent - one of the best meals I've had (crispy duck and sushi), I also tried some of my friend's food and that was excellent. Really good service and nice cosy atmosphere.

The second time went on a Sunday and had a poor experience - wasn't told when booking that Sunday's are a limited set menu. We were also given three different menus when we sat down (takeaway and two set menus with different items on them) only to have two of them taken away after we had decided what to order.

The concept of the set menu wasn't bad and there was a variety of dishes on there but the quality of the food when we ordered was mixed - some dishes excellent others really average. We asked for the bill/card reader a few times but after about 20 mins of waiting we went to pay at the bar.

The waiter was visibly frustrated that we asked for separate payments and when we asked to remove the service charge he initially said it wasn't possible (we asked for this as service wasn't great - we left a tip in cash which was slightly less than the 12.5 percent service charge as a result).

Saying that - the first experience was so good I'm hoping that if we return on a day that isn't a Sunday we will have the same great experience as we did...

Absolutely stunned, but in the wrong way. So many issues with this place, the only redeeming feature being lovely staff. Firstly, we couldn't work out how to get in the place. Door closed, couldn't see in, no buzzer. Secondly, the furniture and decor lacked class. It left a lot to be desired. Also, it was haphazardly arranged, so that you knock people's menus off the table as you're going through. Tables arranged so that staff can't reach you and despite being one of the few tables, there was no space for 6 people around our table. No space for all our food and drinks to fit on table.

Six of us ate here and the food didn't come anywhere near our expectations. We'd seen the prices and assumed the food would be exquisite. £24 for an undercooked green veg curry (no tofu /protein)!!!! Obscene. How on earth is this acceptable? It was the only veggie main dish also. There was no chicken Thai curry and I had the last veggie one. I didn't enjoy my curry at all and asked for popcorn cauliflower instead but was told the chef had thrown the batter away, half hour after my friend had ordered.

The meat ordered by fellow diners was fatty and boney and the bottle of wine was really not nice at £22. £200 quid bill for one of the worst meals any of...