Ping Pong, London
No, this post isn't about the hugely popular tabletop sport played with a little white ball and two paddles. I'm referring to the popular London dim sum chain by the same name. I had dinner at the Ping Pong in Westbourne Grove this month, and here's the write-up.
Saturday, January 13th
Ping Pong
74-76 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5SH
We walked into the restaurant around 9 PM. They never take reservations and I've always seen a few people waiting on earlier occasions when I had passed by. We stood in line for about 10 minutes but were then given a very nice table for two, along the perimeter of the restaurant and away from the noisier "pit" where all the communal tables are located.
We both ordered the Chinese beer they had on the list. I've learned not to expect too much out of Asian beers at this point besides maybe a cool looking tiger or lion on the front of the bottle and this beer did nothing to change my reservations.
Next we ordered the food. I recommend 6-7 dim sum items for a party of two. You'd be best advised to treat the menu as a sampling menu and therefore going for a good variety of dishes while willfully ignoring quantity is advisable.
One dishe stood out in particular - the crispy prawn balls, which were sublime. They were fresh out of the fryer when they landed at our table (not so small a feat when you consider how packed the restaurant was). The crispy outer shell melting in the warm, gelatinous center is a truly rewarding sensation, and is further heightened when the item is rolled in the slightly sweet, slightly vinegarish sauce served with the dish. Most dishes are accompanies with dipping sauces that incorporate a variety of flavors such as sweet chili and hoi sin. Equally remarkable were the spicy vegetable and the chive steamed dumplings.
The bathrooms are also worth a visit. I suppose that the design seemed brilliant when the architects who designed this place suggested it, but if you stop and think about it, the design doesn't make a lot of sense. There is a slot beneath the bathroom sinks in both the bathrooms that allow you to peer into the bathroom next door. All this would be fine and good except that from the ladies bathroom, you get a clear shot of the men's urinals in the bathroom next door. Granted, if you're a girl you have to bend down to see a guy with his back turned to you taking a piss, and that isn't a sight you'll have a hard time avoiding if your night out in London stretches past the time when the local pubs close down and patrons spill out into the streets, but still, a bit odd.
This restaurant certainly doesn't need another endorsement, they have very strong word of mouth and the high quality of the food combined with modest prices (for London) and a trendy atmosphere make this sure bet to please any dim sum hankering.
Price of dinner for two including drinks and a large bottle of mineral water was £34, though we could have ordered 2-3 more dishes which would have pushed us £10-12 higher. Still however, a decent value.
Saturday, January 13th
Ping Pong
74-76 Westbourne Grove, London, W2 5SH
We walked into the restaurant around 9 PM. They never take reservations and I've always seen a few people waiting on earlier occasions when I had passed by. We stood in line for about 10 minutes but were then given a very nice table for two, along the perimeter of the restaurant and away from the noisier "pit" where all the communal tables are located.
We both ordered the Chinese beer they had on the list. I've learned not to expect too much out of Asian beers at this point besides maybe a cool looking tiger or lion on the front of the bottle and this beer did nothing to change my reservations.
Next we ordered the food. I recommend 6-7 dim sum items for a party of two. You'd be best advised to treat the menu as a sampling menu and therefore going for a good variety of dishes while willfully ignoring quantity is advisable.
One dishe stood out in particular - the crispy prawn balls, which were sublime. They were fresh out of the fryer when they landed at our table (not so small a feat when you consider how packed the restaurant was). The crispy outer shell melting in the warm, gelatinous center is a truly rewarding sensation, and is further heightened when the item is rolled in the slightly sweet, slightly vinegarish sauce served with the dish. Most dishes are accompanies with dipping sauces that incorporate a variety of flavors such as sweet chili and hoi sin. Equally remarkable were the spicy vegetable and the chive steamed dumplings.
The bathrooms are also worth a visit. I suppose that the design seemed brilliant when the architects who designed this place suggested it, but if you stop and think about it, the design doesn't make a lot of sense. There is a slot beneath the bathroom sinks in both the bathrooms that allow you to peer into the bathroom next door. All this would be fine and good except that from the ladies bathroom, you get a clear shot of the men's urinals in the bathroom next door. Granted, if you're a girl you have to bend down to see a guy with his back turned to you taking a piss, and that isn't a sight you'll have a hard time avoiding if your night out in London stretches past the time when the local pubs close down and patrons spill out into the streets, but still, a bit odd.
This restaurant certainly doesn't need another endorsement, they have very strong word of mouth and the high quality of the food combined with modest prices (for London) and a trendy atmosphere make this sure bet to please any dim sum hankering.
Price of dinner for two including drinks and a large bottle of mineral water was £34, though we could have ordered 2-3 more dishes which would have pushed us £10-12 higher. Still however, a decent value.
posted by sdateumd at
4:23 PM
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