I booked a table for two stating that it is for bi...

I booked a table for two stating that it is for birthday. On the arrival we were taken downstairs and sat at a table squeezed between two groups of 6 and 9. Immediately, we asked for a different table but were informed that none is available. Fair game as it was extremely busy due to Chinese New Year. However, if one is booking a table in advance one could hope that a Michelin star restaurant will take the occasion under consideration. Not this one though.

Ambience: It was very loud and busy think Waterloo station at rush hour loud or hall of arrivals at Heathrow loud. I couldn t hear the waitress and any serious conversation with my partner was out of the question. It was very hot as well. Within minutes I knew this is going to be a very bad experience and only exceptional food and service could be Yauatcha s saving grace. Hope for a happy ending here? None, unfortunately.

Service: grumpy and sour. I get it it was busy, they were tired. However, you see, should I go to my office and show some attitude I would be shown the door quickly. If you can t handle busy times at your workplace take my advice and leave. Surely this is not the right career for you.

Food: Now I am not Chinese but I like my dim sum. I frequently visit other London establishments serving this sort of dishes and travel to Hong Kong fairly often where I eat it almost on daily basis. I know a good dim sum. One could say it is one of my favourite sort of food. This is not it and the biggest shock is that this restaurant has been given a Michelin star where there are at least two other places in London that come to my mind which make better dim sum.
We ordered 6 baskets and the only memorable one was three style mushroom cheung fun. Dim sum staple pork and prawn shui mai had plenty of pork in it but no prawn at all, in any form. Spicy pork Szechuan wonton with peanut was completely bland. Literally, for the first time in my life, I ate something that was completely devoid of flavour. I kid you not this is quite an achievement. However, the worst offender was served under the name of vegetable Shanghai dumpling. Now avoid this one at all cost. It was extremely greasy and the dough was thick and chewy. As if someone made their first attempt of making deep fried gyoza. Disgusting. The rest was average and not even worth mentioning.

Drinks: We ordered one each. Though the flavour profile of both cocktails was good the amount of alcohol in them was on a very stingy side.

The meal didn t last 45 minutes and as soon as we were done we asked for the bill. They brought a small birthday macaroon that was tasty but it was already extremely awkward it was clear we wanted to leave as quick as possible.

I know this place has got a lot of great reviews. I personally think they got too big and popular and clearly are victim of their own success. Take my advice or leave it save your money and time and go somewhere else. Definitely don t book for any special occasions. A Michelin star restaurant this is not.