Taste Test
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New kid on the wok is worth a try
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| Oriental cuisine - Mr Ping |
MR Ping is the latest restaurant to arrive on the scene in Rayleigh.
The upmarket Chinese offers a more modern take on food from the Far East and since opening in the High Street in November, the eatery has caused quite a stir.
The restaurant has two other successful branches in Benfleet and Southend but how does the new kid on the wok fare in Rayleigh? Well, I'm still not too sure.
I visited Mr Ping with my partner earlier this month and although we popped down on a Tuesday, the place was packed.
Although calendars have only just clicked in to December, the restaurant was more than ready for the festive season and for our meals, we could choose from a set Christmas menu or the more pricier main menu.
To enjoy the full effect of the expanding Ping dynasty, we decided to opt for the normal menu and were surprised to see how many different dishes there were on offer.
To start, Nick and I chose the vegetarian hors d'oeuvres in order to sample a few different dishes. Technically, this was only available on the set menu but the chef managed to whip something up for us, on request.
Our sizeable platter consisted of seaweed, won tons, mini spring rolls and asparagus in chilli and salt and was absolutely delicious. The seaweed was crispy yet sweet - enough to convert any sceptic - and we could have easily eaten the unusual asparagus dish all night.
As always, Nick and I were a bit over-zealous when it came to ordering our mains and were given a veritable feast of food to enjoy - none of which we could finish.
All dishes could easily have been shared but alas, it was too late for our bank balance so we dipped in to a bit of everything.
My Vegetarian Mo Po Tofu had a bit of a kick to it and Nick really enjoyed his Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef. Our meals were bolstered with egg fried rice, mixed vegetables and a healthy-sized portion of rice noodles, which was a shame to leave.
With eyes bigger than my belly, I couldn't manage a dessert - despite the lure of the sweet trolley. But Nick decided to try the Deep-Fried Ice Cream, which, after being covered in liqeur, was lit at the table and went up like brandy butter on a Christmas pudding.
We couldn't really fault the food at Mr Ping but compared to other places, it is expensive. The staff are friendly, if a little too keen, and although the minimalist decor is rather striking, I couldn't help thinking it will cost the owners more than they bargained for.
Being a realist, just looking at the plush white carpet made me wonder how long it would be before drunken diners drop their sweet and sour sauce down it or trail their muddy boots across the room.
It's nice, don't get me wrong - just not very practical.
There has been so much hype about Mr Ping that almost every Rayleigh resident will probably give it a go. But once their initial curiousity is out of the way, I'd be surprised if they forget about their old haunts and go rushing back.
Mr Ping, High Street, Rayleigh - 01268 771688
Our verdict:
Food - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Atmosphere - 3/5
Value - 3/5
Decor - 4/5
What we ate:
Starters: Vegetarian hors d'oeuvres for two (£11)
Main courses: Crispy Shredded Chilli Beef (£7.50), Vegetarian Mo Po Tofu (£6.50), Mixed Vegetables (£5.50), Vegetarian Singapore Rice Vermicelli (£6.50), Egg Fried Rice (£3.50)
Dessert: Deep-Fried Ice Cream flambeed in Liqeur (£4)
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