"Top-quality Chinese, without a doubt one or the best restaurants in Cambridge!"

A review of Peking Restaurant by Dan written on Tuesday 4th of September 2007

The Peking Restaurant is without a doubt the best Chinese restaurant in Cambridge, it's a contender for the best culinary experience in Cambridge and would rank up with the best in London. It's a place I always get excited about visiting!

It first caught my attention while walking down Burleigh Street - I was attracted by the massively retro sign and appearance of the place. Once you notice the building, you can't fail to spot it every time you walk down the street. It has an alluring gothic appeal! Further inspection showed that the interior was entirely in keeping with the exterior, and the dining room is comfortable but deliciously early 80's. Finally I spotted a couple of photocopied reviews (all excellent) stuck in the window and the menu, which was both on the pricey side and distinctly non-standard. This all said one thing: for this place to survive in this format for so long, the food *must* do the talking! My suspicions roused, I went with a group of friends - which included someone who had lived for 12 years in the far east, and another person who had travelled widely in the region - for our first meal there.

Boy, did we come back content! We were incredibly well looked after - the staff were very efficient and the owner (Mrs.. forgotten her name!) is lovely. And the food... simply great, was the unanimous consensus!!! Look, this isn't chinese as you know it, which in the UK is predominantly Cantonese. The Peking specialises in Shanghai and Hunan cuisine, which has a quite different flavour, less thick sauces, more fresh and simply prepared dishes, with a lot of sir frying, stewing and use of chilli. There is no msg in the food (one of our group was allergic to msg, she can really tell!). The cost is actually quite reasonable. Bear in mind that the portions are large (3 main dishes between 5 is normally about right) and the food is meant for sharing. I would count on £15-20 a head for food, which, given the superb quality, is excellent. You'd pay a lot more in London and look what, say, £15 in Cambridge Brown's gets you.

Favourite dishes include the Hunan Prawns, which are divine, and any of their aubergine concoctions! I'm still finding new dishes to try and if you're stuck choosing, the staff will be more than happy to help pick dishes and put together a complementary and varied meal. Every meal I've had there has been excellent. I strongly recommend you try the Peking - just go with an open mind and you'll have a great time! .

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