Compass Rose Chinese Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Portsmouth

We have eaten here previously of an evening but wanted to try out the lunchtime menu. We were not disappointed! I added a note to the booking saying it was a birthday meal . The team had given us a round table and tied balloons to a chair, which was a lovely touch. We all decided to stick to the lunchtime menu and we were not disappointed! ( Its a two course, starters , main and side - all very sizable portions ) The food came out beautifully presented , there was so much I had to take half of mine home with me, although everyone else managed to clear theirs. All the staff were incredibly courteous and attentive and unintrusive. At the end , the host came out with a slice of cake with a candle in it singing happy birthday , we were bowled over by this , so out of the blue and unexpected. A really lovely gesture to complete our family get together .

Point to make :- register your car at the host stand upon entering the premises if you're parked in the...

Charmingly decorated Pub & Restaurant. Friendly and efficient staff and most importantly the food was delicious!

I had the salt & pepper soft shell crab and the Senpei Chicken (3 cup chicken). The crab was so nice I spooned every little scrap from the little basket it was served in. The senpei chicken tasted great. I'm not long back from Taiwan and this wouldn't have been be out of place on a Din Tai Fung menu. It definitely reminded me of Taiwan.

All in my group of 8 were very pleased with their meals: both the more adventurous eaters and those who don't stray too far form Chinese takeaway familiars (e.g Kung Po and crispy shredded beef both good).

It was fairly quiet given it was a Friday. There were some people in the bar area - and takeaways being collected for delivery. I do hope business is good - because it's a little gem of a place and it deserves to be popular!

And to the waiting staff: I'm sorry my group roped you in to singing happy...

A nice venue which is located in a former pub and you can tell this. The front desk is almost halfway in the place and it felt like we were waiting for ages before a member of staff turned up who quickly showed us to a table. The food was nice but it felt like there wasn't enough of it. I asked about what alcohol free beers were available and the staff member proceeded to tell me what was available before saying it would be easier just to show me on her tablet what drinks were being served. I chose one thinking it was alcohol free but when it was brought to me it wasn't. Altogether this is an alright venue which serves decent food but I just wish there was more. You don't expect to leave a restaurant still hungry which was what happened here. And the prices are a tad expensive for what you are getting, would you expect to pay just shy of six pounds for a portion of prawn crackers? ...