The Mandarin Chef - Test Valley

As always the food was good. Three of us went to the restaurant for quiet family birthday. We had the ‘buffet’. Effectively you choose any dish from the menu an... read more As always the food was good. Three of us went to the restaurant for quiet family birthday. We had the ‘buffet’. Effectively you choose any dish from the menu and they bring you as much as you like. The starters are mostly deep fried, but still good and it’s great if you want to have a Chinese tapas kind of pick and mix. Second course is always the duck and pancakes, really delicious. By the time you get to mains, we’re mostly full but again a wide choice and plentiful. The challenge last night was it was freezing cold in the restaurant. We sat with coats, as were other tables, we would have left had we been driving but we’d gone by cab so we could drink and felt obliged to stay (too British of us) and despite moving tables it never really warmed up while we were there. Two other tables also moved and one did leave it was so cold. It’s time for the restaurant to be refurbished with double glazing and heating that actually works. Go and enjoy the food there but only if it’s not cold outside and it will be as cold inside.

This place used to be good, we gave it a try on the 17/11/23 as we hadn't been for a while. Everything inside seems messy,out dated and seems to be a damp musty... read more This place used to be good, we gave it a try on the 17/11/23 as we hadn't been for a while. Everything inside seems messy,out dated and seems to be a damp musty smell in the air.. The staff seem to have all changed, no nice greeting etc. The tables now have paper covers on,like a cheap cafe. We ordered from the buffet and the menu is really limited now for £27.50pp. The food quality was poor to say the least, Luke warm over cooked food. Whilst eating an older guy with glasses walked around the room like a prison guard watching people. This place has gone dawn hill and we won't return.

Having never written a restaurant review before, I feel compelled to do so now. The takeout experience today was disappointing, with six dishes that had no rede... read more Having never written a restaurant review before, I feel compelled to do so now. The takeout experience today was disappointing, with six dishes that had no redeeming qualities. From inedible deep-fried prawn balls to a chicken and sweetcorn soup lacking in both chicken and sweetcorn, and duck with pineapple mixed with garden peas and dry chow mein, the meal was a letdown. The BBQ ribs were served without sauce but overloaded with onions. If we hadn't been so disheartened by the lack of quality, we would have returned the food to the restaurant. The team really needs to reevaluate the standard of their food offerings.

I called the restaurant on Father's Day afternoon but they were closed, so I kept trying until I got through at 5:30pm. They agreed to seat us immediately, so I... read more I called the restaurant on Father's Day afternoon but they were closed, so I kept trying until I got through at 5:30pm. They agreed to seat us immediately, so I arrived at 5:40pm with my three children and 80-year-old mother. We waited for 5 minutes at the sign to be seated, but then an older staff member walked past us without any acknowledgment and answered the phone. I was disappointed by the lack of basic manners, especially when we were planning to spend around £150 on dinner. We decided to leave as this attitude was not for us.

Do not visit this restaurant for takeout. I was informed of a wait time, but still had to wait an additional half hour on top of that. They only began cooking m... read more Do not visit this restaurant for takeout. I was informed of a wait time, but still had to wait an additional half hour on top of that. They only began cooking my food when I arrived, and then got my order wrong. This led one of our party members to go elsewhere. The food was below average and not enjoyable.