Mandarin Kitchen in Bayswater offered a blend of hits and misses.
The famed Lobster Noodles (£58) disappointed slightly with a lack of sufficient gravy to complement the dry noodles. Lobster is really fresh!
However, the Mushroom Soup (£4.50) was a triumph. Its generous serving of mushrooms coupled with the deliciously clear broth made it a standout starter dish.
Be prepared for a wait, though; we faced a 30-minute wait time without reservations.