Straw Hat in East Hertfordshire

Very friendly staff and the food was delicious! As the restaurant isn’t very big you get waited on very well and don’t have to wait for anything. We went for an early dinner as we had our 6 year old with us. They were so lovely with her and she also had a great time.

Wonderful restaurant This restaurant is the best Asian restaurant bar none. We are so lucky to have it situated near where we live. It’s wonderful for special occasions or just a quick meal. We had the filler beef in Cantonese sauce, chicken noodles and chicken satay. For dessert we had toffee apples and ice. Team. So delicious!! Make a point of visiting, you won’t be disappointed. We have been coming for over A16 years and every time it’s a treat.

A welcoming casual/smart setting, attentive fun staff, excellent service, moorish tasty quality fresh food. Lots of options, Staff helpful when ordering as to the quantity of each item. Calming background music. Clean, well presented restaurant. Would recommend to all age groups large & small. Plenty of parking, although plenty of pot holes in car park too.

We hadn’t visited for a long time and were excited to be able to get a reservation for a Friday night ! When we arrived only a couple of tables full and couldn’t believe despite being minus 3 outside there was no heating the radiators were cold … some electric fans but nothing powerful enough to heat the place … never have I dined anywhere so cold … in hindsight should have left and gone elsewhere … Food was excellent I have to say but not a pleasant experience as just so cold wo t be returning anytime soon sadly

Never again this was the first time we have been food was cold when it arrived after waiting 40 minutes they was doing takeaway and not bothered about us sitting down the price was crazy plus service charge would never go back and would never recommend.

Expensive for very basic dishes. Unfriendly and unhelpful staff,cold dining room and absolutely no atmosphere. The potholes in the car park are as bad as the roads!! Wont be returning.

As the restaurant is not open early in the week they ask you to leave a message on their answerphone. They ask you to leave your details and will het back to you to confirm your booking… I waited.. nothing! Friday evening I called them and spoke to a most unhelpful individual telling me I had no booking and when questioned as to why I never received a call back… not interested. She said anyway there’s a 2 week waiting list!! I was told I could have a table at 6 pm instead of my original booking of 730 …no thank you… and no thank you in the future . Hope the food is better than the attitude..

I had a cough and was treated like a leper! Asked to wear a mask while seated with my family. Not only that but we were never offered refills on our drinks the order was wrong and the staff were rude. That wasn’t just to our table either they never asked if we needed anything or if the food was ok. We were sat fed money taken and left not a relaxing experience. We were not offered coffee or hot drinks after plus they added £17.50 service charge 10% of our bill… Terrible experience would not recommend

We often have a takeaway. Consistently excellent food. We just love it. Hot, tasty and good portions. We’ve tried other place on holiday etc but we don’t think you can beat Peking Palace.

We have dined at the Straw Hat a number of times over the years - I have always enjoyed my evening there (even if I have always thought it was over priced for the quality and portion of food) However, since re-opening since Covid it’s not the best experience. They seem to have taken away all the decor and curtains and everything that made it look and feel like a Chinese restaurant. In my opinion, it felt like I was in a school hall with the lights on. It all felt (dare I say) too sanitary! The food was nice as per usual, although there seemed to be a gaggle of angry takeaway customers that waited around an hour for their collection so that was distracting. Overall, I don’t think the dining experience is as it once was and I certainly would avoid a takeaway from here. It’s a real shame but I wouldn’t recommend or return at the moment.

We had this restaurant recommended to us for an up market Chinese restaurant. We decided to give it a go and wasn’t disappointed. One thing which impressed us upon arriving was the safety or staff and customers were still paramount at these times with staff wearing gloves and masks while taking our temperature before entering. Once in the restaurant tables were spread so people weren’t too close to each other. It was a very relaxing environment compared to standard Chinese restaurants. The menu is not cheap but similar to prices in a west end restaurant but as we have found with local restaurants like this and the grand trunk road in South Woodford you are paying for better quality ingredients and service. We ordered off the a la carte menu and there was nothing which we didn’t enjoy. A couple of gems were the vegetable spring rolls which had a different outside texture and actual fresh vegetables inside, and the Japanese tofu dish which was lovely. Tofu can be bland but it wasn’t here and worked perfectly with the crispy chilli beef which was one of the best we had eaten. As mentioned earlier it’s not cheap but definitely worth trying and we will be back to sample other things on the menu.

Just had a birthday family meal here. Food was very nice but very expensive for what it was. Restaurant was very plain inside and although there was a outside patio bit that looked pleasant enough the grass to the back of Restaurant was so over grown with a skip in it and lots of mess! You walk through car park to go into Restaurant through back entrance and all rubbish dumped there. Was very expensive and for that price expect a nicely done out Restaurant, definitely need to improve inside and out even with covid measures and cut the very overgrown grass.

Ordered a glass of house rose which they had sold out of so had to buy a bottle then after 4 non-alcoholic beers they said that they were the last meal was average usual small over priced portions we then asked for toffee bananas then was told kitchen closed at 10 we asked at 10-10 I find this a joke when you go for a meal and you can’t have a dessert especially when it costs £85 per person I have been a customer for many years and won’t be returning unfortunately

We ordered a take away for New Years Eve, we ordered this the day before New Years Eve to make sure we wouldn’t be disappointed, our collection time was 7.15. After 45 mins and several times to check to see what was happening still no food. After waiting an hour our food was ready, it was Luke warm and had obviously been sitting on the side for ages. We walked out needless to say without the food. Highly disappointed as have heard so many good reviews about this restaurant, awful service, this is what happens when you become to greedy and cannot yet for the orders taken, will not be returning anytime soon.

1st time we visited Straw Hat , and what a lovely place , beautiful surroundings food was gorgeous, service was 1st class and staff very friendly will definitely be going again, very strict with covid safety too which were really pleased about great night had by us both thankyou .

Myself and my family attended for my younger brothers 18th birthday on Saturday 15th February, there was 15 of us in total. The service was amazing, not to mention the food - we had a selection of dishes from sweet and sour chicken to Thai red curry, all of which were outstanding, full of flavour and quite clearly freshly cooked (starter platters are pictured). They also allowed us to bring our own cake for dessert and were very attentive to our needs. Although it is expensive compared to most other local restaurants, it’s by far worth every penny. Feeling like any Chinese I eat in the future won’t even compare to this! We will be back very soon!Thank you for making my brothers birthday very special.

This restaurant is small and quaint with great service and a fantastic menu. We had a lovely meal and despite some reviews, we didn’t find it to be expensive at all. The straw hat platter for starter was fantastic. My only point of criticism would be that it would be great if they could offer some steamed dim sum. Will definitely be returning!

We visit the Straw Hat regularly as a family and always find the food to be excellent. The service is always great and the beauty of this restaurant is that you can enjoy top class food in a relaxed environment. The river prawns and wasabi prawns are just exquisite. It is expensive compared to other local Chinese restaurants but the quality of the food is in a different league to your usual Chinese and you get what you pay for. We always look forward to visiting and every time go away fully satisfied

Whilst staying with friends in Essex they suggested a visit to this restaurant. The food and service was excellent throughout the evening. I have a mini microphone to use connecting with my BAHA (bone-anchored hearing aid) and as we left I thought I’d put it away safely. A minute or so later in the taxi I realised I hadn’t got it and at the same time my friend answered her phone - it was the restaurant calling to say they had picked up my mini microphone. So grateful to them for letting us know so promptly.

Food ok but quite expensive. Asked for a mild curry but it was way too spicey. Good atmosphere but have been to better restaurants

This place is very very nice and would recommend to anyone. Myself and partner eat here from time to time and have never been let disappointed. Service is good, food is excellent.

A group of friends had a great night here. Food is genuinely delicious, different and delightful. The service is warm, friendly and great fun. The bill was less than we thought and we didn’t hold back. The venison is amazing. As was the sea bass. Oh, and the wagu beef. We will be back!

Our friends have been using this restaurant for a number of years and have always recommended it to. Unfortuneatley my wife does not like 'UK Chinese' food so it is very rare that we ever use a Chinese restaurant in the UK, reserving our visits to when we are in Asia.I am pleased to say the Straw Hat experience has change her mind.From the time we arrived until the time we left, last but one guests on a Saturday night, everything was excellent.The attention to detail is to the highest standard from the staff, presentation and to the quality and taste of the food.You must give it a try, you will not be dissapointed.We will certainly be going back.

Four of us had dinner in The Strawhat.The food was very good.Flavours were subtle ingredients of high quality.We started with a range of appetiser,including the delicious Wasabi prawnsWe followed with half a duck,and ended with chicken ,beef,squid ,together with rice and Singapore noodles.We had two gin and tonics,two rose champagne, and three glasses of wineWith service ,the bill was exactly £200.I'm sure other local Chinese resturant are cheaper, but not of similar quality.

This has consistently been the best local restaurant over the years with great food and excellent service.

Have been to this restaurant many times and it never disappoints. Although quite pricey the food is always freshly prepared and very tasty. I am not normally a fan of Chinese food but here I can order thai red/green curry and still enjoy the delicious starters of wasabi prawns, salt n pepper squid and river prawns. You dont leave feeling full from the "MSG" as it is all authentic. Would recommend for a special occasion.

What a stunning location to this Chinese cuisine. Although set on a main road and from the outside looking like a quaint pub the decor in and around the building is Asian. Inside the restaurant is beautifully laid out with a really calming ambiance. The staff are so friendly and helpful. You must expect to pay at least £30 a head for your meal but the food is portioned nicely and packed full of flavour. My Partner and I always order a different main each with a different side and then share between us. There was more than enough choice and portion size for us both to have a main meal and be full by it. The option for chopstick use or cutlery on the tables was a lovely touch and everything was of a high quality. A service charge is added to your final bill. I would highly recommend visiting this restaurant and fully intend to return soon.

The food is great try the river prawns spare ribs veggies spring rolls

I recommend this restaurant for anybody who likes Chinese quality food There is an extensive menu for all tastes

Staff tried to be helpful but the kitchen clearly had the B team in. OK it was a dead time - 4pm on Fathers’ Day - but it took well over an hour for starters to arrive and two and a half hours for 2 courses. Several dishes were off the menu. Most of the food was poor. MSG much in evidence.

I can honestly say this is one of my favourite places to dine, I think those that complain expect a cheap Chinese meal and should go down the road. The duck rolls are amazing and the set menus are worth ordering from.

BAD food. Awful, to be honest. So grim was the food served to me tonight that I'm prompted to leave my first ever restaurant review! The noodles were absolutely swimming in oil - there was a pool of it at the bottom of the bowl like soup. These cost £12. The beef was like chunks of grey death - chewy, tasteless, unidentifiable dead carcass.

One of the nicest chinese restaurants I've been to! It's not your typical chinese, the restaurant itself is decorated more like a cosy pub and has a lovely atmosphere. The menu has so many different options and even a vegetarian section. It is a bit more pricey than a lot of other chinese restaurants but you get what you pay for.. the food wasn't at all greasy and tasted really fresh. Will definitely be coming back here!

We were a group of 10, drinks were slow, once we had ordered the service was extremely disjointed, not all dishes were brought out together, service was extremely poor and slow. I would say they cannot cope with larger bookings, some of the party had been before either as a couple of as a table of 4 which they say The Straw Hat could cope with, I wont be going back to find out.

This restaurant has some lovely dishes making it more than your big standard local Chinese. The thatched building also a unique lovely venue. However, be very careful what you choose, a main of vegetables and ginger for £10 may as well have been a microwaved Tesco vegetable pot for £2, except the restaurants portion was half the size and priced 5 times. You wouldn’t mind paying if the food was lovely. But it really wasn’t. The Thai curries however were lovely. Pricey but lovely. The prawn and advocado starter was delightful. In the past this has been a lovely restaurant with lovely staff. However I hope they don’t lose their uniqueness. When asked for a jug of water on the table (don’t worry we had wine too we’re not cheap scates) the waiter said - “we cannot give you jugs because of health and safety.” Bit silly. Not sure I’ll head back in a hurry.

Thank you so much for an amazing evening. My partner surprised me saying he was going to take me to a Chinese restaurant for our valentines/anniversary dinner.

Duck Rolls as starter were good. Prawn main meals were ok but Chicken very poor, especially for the price, approximately double that of comparable local restaurants. Service was slow and abrupt, we wont be going back.

Wonderful food and very good service throughout the evening Overall a lovely experience - would definitely return !

We had a great evening, superb food , great service and a good atmosphere.

I have eaten at this restaurant for many years and I can honestly say that Marcus and his staff are consistent in the quality of the food.

Excellent food and service. Varied oriental cuisine immaculately prepared and cooked. A most enjoyable experience.

beer is flat in the gate pub in Sawbridgeworth food is awful I had a hair in my burgers and the rude

Food was very good but expensive. Staff were very attentive and catered for your every need. Recommended for a special occasion but quite expensive for just a night out.

Wow will never ever visit here again! 5 of our party had the set menu , not enough food for 2 let alone 5! We asked if there was more to come out, waitress said she would ask the chef!

This place has to be a favourite. Excellent service and food. A little pricey but well worth it from time to time. Aromatic duck, pork tenderloin and beef all very tasty. Do book though as tables are usually in demand.

Took my work colleagues here to celebrate a record year, the food was amazing, service seemed a bit slow at first, but, when you see your plate you understand why, presentation and quality worth the wait!

Food was ok but overpriced for what you got, waiter forgot the glass of water we asked for, thought the prawn crackers would be complementary like most Chinese restaurants but wasn't, think service charge should be upto the customer to give not put on your bill.

We have been to the Straw Hat before and love the food but last night the service was abysmal. An hour before our order was taken, our main course served before the duck course, dishes forgotten from our main course and given the wrong bill. Total shambles that ruined a special occasion.

Food was ok service good but only three table occupied, the restaurant was very cold the chap in charge said the heating was broken.

We have been going to the Straw Hat for many years. We went again last Saturday night with friends. I have to say there is something very special about this restaurant. Not just the Wasabi Prawns but the whole experience. The staff, Marcus the owner discussing the dishes, the Menu, Everything is on another level.

Lovely looking restaurant, very good service, but well over priced. Set meals are very good though. Took my sister and brother in law there for dinner, we all only had 1 drink each we choose two to three items per person, but no dessert and no starter, and it cost £200. £50 per head for one main meal is well over priced to my mind. I have been to Gary Rhodes restaurant in London and had three courses for much less.

Me and my husband visited the restaurant for lunch on a Sunday. It was empty.

We went as a family for our Xmas meal on Christmas Eve at The Straw Hat for the first time. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and would recommend going again as we thoroughly enjoyed our evening and the restaurant is beautifully laid out. We were looked after very well by Steven and we felt very welcomed. We look forward to returning in the New Year as the food was delicious and service fabulous. Will be returning very soon to this very special place.

Visited with my husband and my sister and brother in law for a meal before Christmas. Had been here many years ago and really loved the little extras they provided. I remember the presentation of the food was lovely and also the portion size. As soon as we took our coats off they asked if we were ready to order! The ribs from the mixed platter starter were not edible. There was a lot of fat and the meat that was on there (not a lot) was so chewy we couldn’t eat them. The duck was very nice. We had to remind them about our drinks twice as they had forgotten about them. Main courses were very small. My brother in law ordered beef in noodles and there was 3 bitesize slices of beef in the whole dish. My sweet and sour chicken was mainly peppers. I had 4 small pieces of chicken in mine. The crispy chilli beef was OK. My husband had the beef in black bean sauce and that was again mainly peppers. It was overall very disappointing and we all said we wish we booked the other Chinese in Sawbridgeworth that we visited last Christmas. We all tried to guess the bill and were shocked that it was £210 for 4 of us. 3 of us weren’t drinking and the one that was only had 3 small wines. I’ve eaten at La Gavroche in London for less than that! I don’t think we will be returning.

Having been to this restaurant a few times in the past I was looking forward to going again as the food was first class however on our most recent trip there to say we were dissapointed is an understatement. The food was not very good at all, the spare ribs were nothing but fat, the meal was luke warm and once the restaurant began to fill up the waiter forgot all about us!!! It is completely over priced for what you get - I don't mind paying a lot of money for good food but this was disgraceful. Over £200.00 for 3 people ( drinks on top of 1 bottle of house white wine, 2 tiger beers and 1 glass of red) . Very, very dissapointed

Came to the Straw Hat this week for a meal whilst working away on my own. Great first impressions with the large car park to the rear and lovely Asian inspired garden which has been well kept. Nice greeting from the staff when I arrived and was shown to the table. The Decor inside and the background music is really nice and suits the style of the restaurant which I was impressed with. The staff seem a bit too over the top with the service, I know some people enjoy being fussed over but I don't need my napkin folding and placing on my lap, I don't need my drinking pouring for me and I don't need to you place my rice from the serving bowl to my plate. I managed to get changed myself and drive to your Chinese I can manage to other tasks. Enough about the service, the food was incredible to be fair to them, best duck rolls I've ever tasted. This all comes at a cost though for the meal and a coke over £30 is a bit steep but the company is paying so not fussed.

The food was generally very good, but the prices were, in my opinion, way beyond what one would expect to pay, in this area, on essentially, Chinese food. The service was ok, but we would not return, as we we came home hungry!

Joined friends for lunch on Saturday. I had creamed Wasabi Prawns and they were delicious, would certainly recommend.

I wanted to take my wife somewhere a bit special, to celebrate her birthday. We have been to the Straw Hat a few times, and whilst expensive, the food has always been of a high standard.

Esta es la tercera vez que he estado en este restaurante después fue recomendado por un miembro de la familia. Nos quedamos tan impresionados con la comida la primera vez que hemos hecho amigos de vuelta dos veces. Quedaron impresionados con la comida. Vamos para los menús y que nunca nos ha decepcionado. El personal era bastante agradable y no tuvimos quejas. calle Sin duda volvería de nuevo.

Have heard about the Straw Hat for years and knew it was quite expensive so was excited to finally go. IDespite booking we had to wait. The food was ok but nothing special. The service was basic but nothing to write home about. The cost was well overpriced. There was nothing bad about the meal but have been to so much better.

Have just returned from visiting this restaurant. Have been previously some 5 years ago and had a fab experience so was looking forward to emulating this again. I'm sorry to report the food was good but certainly not excellent nor original and the service was just down right depressing. As a busy mum of two to find the time to go out on a 'date night' is a rarity and then to choose somewhere only to find the waitresses miserable and lacking in any sort of humour or nicety is at best disappointing and at worse bloody offensive. We had made a reservation beforehand but they clearly had no record of it. A surly, stary, teenage-like male waiter ignored us as the door, no smile or greeting and then later on served our rice as if he were doing us a favour. The waitresses hovered around us and asked for our drink order within minutes of being seated. Once drinks came, they hankered around again for our food order...felt rushed and uncomfortable. When the food did come it was good. The indo-malay curry was mild when I had asked for extra chillies and over-dosed on turmeric however it was palatable but certainly not worth raving about. The irony is, as it got busier it became impossible to get any attention for another drink or even to get the bill. We asked for the dessert menu only to be told they don't have one and instead the waitress reeled off a whole list of no-idea-what and so declined politely. Hardly what one would expect from an apparently classy place. Overall, they have let themselves down as some customer service training and possibly using those facial muscles to initiate a positive response from those willing to pay towards the upkeep of your business would help you enormously.

My boss was over from America and took out some colleagues from the company to dinner, when he came in this morning after asking him what the meal was like the night before he said the food was good, service was terrible, they were the first ones in the restaurant and the last ones out had to wait 3 hours for their meal.... in future I think he will be giving the Straw Hat a wide birth.

Fantastic Food, fantastic service, staff didn't have a particular wine we wanted but they suggested a more expensive bottle for the same price which was fantastic. Food as always, that little bit special. Not cheap, but worth every penny.

We have visited the Straw Hat since it first opened, and though our last visit was several years ago I have to say that the standard, though always high, has improved. The ambience created here is second to none in my opinion, especially when busy, with its subdued lighting and décor. As for service, probably the highest compliment is that we hardly even noticed. The menu is extensive and varied, and the food absolutely superb. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable experience and worth every penny.

Fabulous restaurant exquisite food the staff are helpful and the boss mans always behind the bar to welcome you. See you all very soon. Rich and Deb

Went to Straw hat for a work dinner after being recommended by a colleague. They have great vegan/vegetarian options. The 'vegetarian' prawns (made from soya) and the vegetarian chicken (made from wheat gluten) were absolutely incredible. My colleagues had the meat options and they were also blown away. Strongly recommend this place.

We ordered one of the set menus from serene, composed serving staff who were efficient and helpful but not personally engaged. The atmosphere is unusual and calm - a thatched house with a dark oriental interior. The food was all good and well presented. Were it not for the fact that the offer is not quite different enough to warrant the prices charged I would certainly return - although I would appreciate a smile or two,

It is some time since I dined at the Straw Hat. My past experiences have always been more than satisfactory. I returned as a guest last weekend and if anything, the food is even better than i remembered. A party of six, we were all very impressed with the selection and quality available. One member favourably comparing it with a well known Michelin starred London Asian cuisine restaurant. I would not disagree! So many dishes to choose from makes a return visit an absolute must. I confess to a slight addiction for the Lamb cutlets, marinated in Expresso coffee and Sambuca, fantastic!George CrossmanRoydon, Essex.

had a meal here on the off chance a few weeks back and very impressed.Have eaten at Kai (in mayfair) and apart from a few minor details this was right up there with that restaurant.Even though it was busy the food was top class and beautifully presented.Anyone in the area who likes quality chinese this is well worth a visit.Well done to all at the Straw Hat,We will visit again

Lovely food, very tasty! Great atmosphere too... although I do believe the food is a little over priced.

had our anniversary dinner there. known about it for many years but never visited.thought it may have been pretentious and expensive. I was wrong. lovely atmosphere relaxing music attentive staff. a most pleasant evening.food was exceptional. may have been more expensive but certainly worth it.manager very personable.will certainly return

Very good experience meal was well served. Do not recommend Aubergine and Tofu dish. Good company and overall good experience.

Stunning food that is completely grease and msg free!Traditional decor, lovely staff and very helpful!LOVE THIS PLACE!

The food was incredible and arrived quickly. A refreshing selection of vegetarian dishes are available and although it is not cheap, there is a very good range of dishes to suit different budgets. Well worth the money and drive!

The food was good but not great, the wine was nice and very pricey, the service was acceptable. Overall it just felt a bit clinical, lacking warmth and atmosphere. We decided to go home for coffee. There are places in this price range that give you a warm glow of loveliness.

I like the staff when is polite and serious, looks like the quality of the service ( what I expect) should be perfect.Straw Hat is a hibrid restaurant in my opinion.Some days the quality of the food is average sometimes is poor but one thing is always the same... the staff.No one is checking for food quality after the food arrive at the table, they just stay in front of you and waiting till you finish, sometimes is very annoying.To be honest the best dish I had in this restaurant is the pineapple rice( served inside the actuall pineapple) the rest for example the venison very poor.I will suggest defenetly Straw Hat for a special dinner and for a different chinese restaurant in the area but be carefull is an average restaurant with poche prices but is not a poche restaurant at all.Staff please smile more and stop stare at customers and try to be more customer oriented.Food6/10Staff5/10

Used Straw Hat numerous times and always found to be excellent (pricey but good). However I feel the usual high standards have slipped lately. I ate there in early Jan 2017 and ordered venison, which was unedible and left on my plate. I mentioned this when paying the bill (that the food was left uneaten as it was not edible) and was told "yes, I know". No further attempt to rectify the situation was made. Very poor service!

Un sitio precioso con camareras muy atentas (el camarero un poco menos) y buen mix chino-Tudor. La casita es una monada. La comida muy buena, la carne de ternera de 35 libras excelente. El verso agridulce de nota. Las raciones justitas. Es un sitio caro, con mesas justitas y sin facilidades para niños. Creo que es más para parejas o pequeños grupos de adultos que para llevar a niños.

It is the third time I have been to Straw Hat. Previously, I have been out with my colleagues. Food has been exquisite and wines were reasonably priced. The knowledge of the wines was exceptional. They even suggested particular wines to go with the food. It is quite pricey and it can be compared to London restaurants. The waiting team is pleasant and the ambience is great. They had their Chinese New Year decorations up and it was very tasteful. On this occasion, I must admit that quality of the food was not on par as on other occasions I have been. I had the sha cha beef and it was very salty and the Mongolian dish was very heavy. We spoke to the management about this and he seemed sympathetic but at the end of the evening, not even a discount was offered. My friend had to order one dish and took a waitress 10 mins to take the order. She went back and forth to ask the chef if he would cook that dish for us. After all that, we got a response that the chef would not cook it. That is simply outrageous. We had ordered the specific dish before and my guest had to be clear that no gluten or lactose would be added. I called the following morning to speak to the management again but his excuse was it was a one off. I sincerely hope it is. Some training in the food department would not go amiss. Overall, it is a nice restaurant but the arrogance of the chef will bring this restaurant to its knees. Marcus. Wake up and listen to your customers. Your chef will bring you and your restaurant down.

We went for a two people dinner in a weekend evening. The restaurant is located on a busy road, there is a car park at the back, so there is no car parking problems.We didn't have wine, starters or desserts, and we went straight for the main. We ordered 3 dishes, chicken/ beef/veg + 1 rice (to share btw us) , a juice and 2 bottles of beers, the bill was around 60 pounds.The size of the main dish is very small, if you lay the dish flat I would say appox one thin layer of palm size (including spring onions and peppers). The beef dish was even smaller, about 6-7 slices of beef in total. In regards to the taste, compare to other restaurants I have been, I will give 3 star, because it was quite salty, the flavour is heavy, more like western style Chinese.Apart form the food, the waiter/waitess were friendly and table was clean.Considering the location of the restaurant, a lot of rich people are living nearby so they wouldn't worry about the price. But if they ever tried traditional Chinese food somewhere else, I believe the ratings would be different.Overall, this is not a posh place but with a posh price. We didn't expect the dish would be this small, and thinking about the price we couldn't order more. After the dinner we had a McDonald's take away on the way back home.

A lovely meal with the family. Great tasting food. Staff really helpful helping 2 x 5 year olds with chopsticks. They had great fun. A brilliant meal as we celebrate the year of rooster. Expensive but worth it for a treat.

Enjoyed a wonderful meal here with my Family celebrating a Birthday!The setting is really authentic and clean. The staff are great and the food is absolutely out of this world.It's quite pricey and definitely a good suggestion for a celebration meal or family event.

We went on 17th December for a birthday treat. The menu was extensive and the food just unbelievably good. Every dish was presented beautifully and tasted even better The service was also faultless and although a little pricey well worth every penny. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Will most definitely go again and again.

Had dinner here last night and was fantastic. We had a table for 8 and the service, atmosphere and food was outstanding. I haven't been for a while, but having gone back I very quickly remembered how good it truly is and won't be leaving it quite as long next time. I would recommend the Chassagne Montrachet white wine also, which was fabulous and at £59:00 a bottle excellent value.See you again soon, many thanks for looking after us.

A very nice ambiance and setting. The staff very attentive. The menu is extensive with varied choices. The food is cooked well and with great taste and aroma. The portion sizes were good and just right. As mentioned in the title little over priced for certain dishes. I appreciate that you pay for quality, service, setting and the experience but not at these prices. Will I return again? Maybe for a special occasion not for a meal out.

Nice little restaurant - Unfortunately the night we went there was a very large table next to us, and they were VERY loud and we couldn't hear ourselves talk above the noise - Not the Restaurants fault. The food was very well presented and tasted good- The waiters were polite and friendly - Service a little slow, but the restaurant was full... I feel however that the food was on the expensive side. I also do not like the fact that they automatically put on 10% service charge. I know that quite a few restaurants do that these days ( normally the more expensive ones!).. but it surely is up to us whether we want to tip them and how much. This really annoys me!So to sum up - nice place, nice food - but expensive!

Visited Straw Hat for the first time. Quaint little restaurant with a mixture of Olde English and Oriental decor. We opted for mixed starter , crispy aromatic duck and a selection of chicken and beef dishes. Food was a little more pricey than your usual Chinese however, it was worth the money. Would definitely recommend a visit.

I've been here a few times and love the food , Had the the prawns in a very light batter with a wonderful sauce for starters and was they just great, followed by a chicken red curry. My partner ordered dover sole . which after some time was told it we've ran out ? plus my curry came up late . But please don't let this put you off because it really is a great restaurant with great food

We visited The Straw Hat restaurant to celebrate my partners birthday. The welcome was a bit cool and not very welcoming. However the rest of the staff were very pleasant and the meal was very fine Chinese style cuisine. All in all it is a very pleasant venue with fine food presented beautifully. We would certainly visit again albeit it a bit on the expensive side but well worth it.

Good service, extensive menu,good quality food better then the normal Chinese restaurant although very pricey.best banana and apple fritters ever.

I really like the Straw Hat. It is just that bit special for a special occasion. It is a little on the more expensive side. But I do feel that it is worth it. The service could be slightly better but the food is very good.

I can't comment on value for money since I did not see the bill. However I can say that the service and food was excellent. Every dish we had was very tasty, and the wine was also excellent. Most of my colleagues were from China, and they enjoyed it too.

We approached this with some skepticism. We had heard it was expensive. But.... Yes if you order scallops with caviar, or wagu beef then yes you'll pay for it. But actually these dishes on the menu are the exception. The rest of the dishes sit around the twelve pound mark. We had the Mongolian venison and black bean chicken. The venison was excellent. Really tasty. The starter platter was really good too. We spent 130 with a very nice bottle of red, sparkling water and three courses each.

Fabulous food, excellent service and soothing atmosphere.It isn't cheap but you get what you pay for, worth every pound.

This was a second visit to this venue and it offers a broad menu of Chinese dishes and the staff are both friendly and attentive. A series of dishes were ordered in sequence and all were perfectly cooked and provided an eclectic mix of flavours and textures. Soft shell crab was especially good, as was the crispy pork and the venison in XO sauce. Crispy toffee apple with vanilla ice cream to finish, was divine. All in all, good value, excellent service and well worth a visit.

We had a catch up with an old friend here and, to be honest, were more intent on conversation than food. The food was good, though, plenty of it on the set menu, in fact the crispy duck was probably far too much for 3. Wine was expensive. Atmosphere was great, the décor impressive and the place was full (Saturday) night. More than we would normally pay for a Saturday night out but would be acceptable for a special occasion. Would recommend.

I visited the Straw Hat after a very long break (4 years) and was nervous that the food quality might have deteriorated. However, I am pleased to say I was not a bit disappointed. In addition, the service was extremely courteous and unobtrusive but very efficient. My friend and I also shared an excellent bottle of French Macon Villages at a very reasonable price for a location such as this. The restaurant was very calm and conversation quiet despite being reasonably full. It may be different at a week-end when it is busier but if you are the kind of diner that likes to use their mobile phone and/or make a lot of noise this is not the restaurant for you. I however loved my visit, the food and the wine. I will be going back as soon as I can.

Excellent food and service. We were not rushed having arrived at 7 o'clock we ordered the straw hat platter for 2 people which the 4 of us shared followed by one half crispy aromatic duck which was enormous and really tasty. We then waited and enjoyed our wine before ordering 2 main courses with vegetables that we again shared. The wine list was extensive and quite varied. A great evening and we will return.

We've been going to the Straw Hat for over fifteen years now and it still remains our "go to" for special occasions. Impeccable service and the best Oriental food make for a great night out for couples and groups alike.The food is always of the highest standard and made by skilled chefs using the finest ingredients, think Wagyu beef and venison as opposed to prawn balls and chow mein.Its not the cheapest but neither is it the most expensive. Its Hakkasans and Sexy Fish at a fraction of the price without the journey into London.An extensive, reasonably priced wine list together with top spirits and liqueurs rounds off a perfect night.Book early for the latter part of the week and weekends as the restaurant is intimate and gets booked quickly.I could not recommend this more.