Shanghai 30’s

Simple: when I ask the service lady why this dish is cooked in such a way that you won’t find it across China, and it doesn’t taste good. Her reply: foreigners like this style. So no indigenous cooking. Okay. So, this is a restaurant for foreigners not in the know.

I came here on a friend’s recommendation and was highly impressed by the authentic taste of the two dishes I ordered: green beans (四季豆） and cumin lamb (烤羊肉）. Both were spot on and even better than some ones I’ve had in China. The décor also felt like I travelled back in time to old Shanghai. I can’t speak for other dishes on the menu but I would definitely go back to try them, and the dessert which looked interesting. This is a solid alternative to Sojo’s if you want authentic Chinese.

Ok food, reasonable prices, crazy décor.
The food is fine; typical standard fare. The prices are ok if you have a Taste Card, a little overpriced otherwise. The service is speedy and attentive. The décor is absolutely crazy and so not in keeping with the restaurant itself but I kinda like it.
I can recommend the duck fried rice.

Nice décor, terrible food. Would give 3 stars if it wasn’t so overpriced.
The 1930s Shanghai themed décor was brill, if rather haphazard, and it had a very nice atmosphere being in an old Victorian building, replete with high ceiling, cornices and big mirror above the fire place etc. BUT the food was truly awful, not great in volume, and eye-​wincingly overpriced for what it was (believe me this coming from a Londoner).
The service was super nice (actually a bad sign in a Chinese restaurant because it shows they are struggling for custom) and I kind of felt sorry for them because they have made such an effort on the theme.
I eat in a lot of ‘authentic’ Chinese restaurants and the food was certainly not that (we didn’t see any Chinese customers while we were there – also not a good sign of the food). Having said that I actually like British-​style Chinese food equally if not more, if it done well. The problem was that this was worse than even bog standard take away.
Every dish was generally either just devoid of flavour, undercooked or both. Prawns in the pineapple battered prawns were tasteless, not crunchy and the batter soggy and doughy. ‘Tibetan’ spicy curry was just bland, meat tasteless again, and actually just Thai curry. Bak Choi was bitter and undercooked, and again Chinese mushrooms just had no bite or flavour to them.
Add to that two unremarkable starters and a beer and our bill came to £60! I kind of cried inside a bit thinking of all the lovely food we could have had even in central London for that price. I mean you could eat in a Michelin starred restaurant for not much more than that.
For anyone who wants a fun experience I would recommend this place, just order the set menu and don’t have any high expectations. For any serious foodies: avoid.

Still love it! Decent lunch menu choices and prices. Food and service excellent. I had a beef in ginger and onion sauce and their chicken noodle soup– both were great.

reading the other reviews I can’t help but wondering if we went to the same restaurant? went there for lunch during our visit to Oxford and we were so disappointed. My husband went for a vegetarian dish with mushroom, broccoli and bean curd — without taste and with dry mushrooms. I had the Sichuan beef and again, no taste and a real disappointment. Save your money and go somewhere els.

Located just over the road from Christchurch college with nice views across the college.
The Waitresses were very welcoming and attentive throughout so very happy with service.
The food was nice and however it didnt blow me away and whilst it was a nice lunch, it wasnt amazing. Pleasant

One of the nicest Chinese meals I’ve had in a long time! The Spicy beef salad was fresh and delicious as was everything else we tried. The restaurant has really nice atmosphere, the staff were attentive but not overly so. Not the cheapest of Chinese’s but well worth the money if you want something a bit more special and better quality than the usual takeaway.

We found this restaurant through Unilocal and the 5 star reviews were right on. The Hot and Sour Soup was fantastic; fresh and full of vegetables. The mango duck was also amazing. Everything was fresh and perfectly seasoned and not too salty.
The staff and servers were quiet and reserved but friendly and unobtrusively made sure we had everything we needed.
Location is right near Christ Church College, perfect for lunch after walking around.

The décor in this place is interesting enough: they even have complimentary Chinese cigarettes on the way out. I went here for the £5.95 two-​course lunch deal and I have to say the food was totally average and unmemorable. Judging by all the awards, I’d hope the proper restaurant menu is much better, but they do seem to be palming off rubbery meat, reheated sauces and bland soups on the lunch deal. Of course it’s cheap for a reason, but also not the best marketing for the rest of their establishment, really. On the plus side, the service was good.

I ate here twice and it was perfectly fine – service was attentive, food service was well paced, and the food itself was very good though I do not think mind blowing. I thought that it needed more flavor or something. Both times I went there was almost no one there, which could have to do with location – you have to look and know what you looking for. But if I wanted Chinese in Oxford this is where I would go, but then again I probably would opt for Thai or Indian in Oxford.

Delicious food, great staff.
Discovered this place one night with friends while it was pouring and we were on the prowl for dinner. It is a little more pricey, but worth it. It was a first class dining experience.
The staff waits in the dining area the whole time, only going to the kitchen to pick up your orders. There are shrimp chips and some other goodies brought to you while you wait.
I’ve tried several dishes here, they were all good. The group favorite (every time we went) was the sizzling beef.
The two ladies who were there were very nice. I ran into one of them at Sainsbury’s once and she smiled and we had a nice talk.
After your check is brought, you get oranges, mint, chocolate and some other things. Now that I’m in Hawaii I miss this place very much, but have heard rumors of one opening in California?

When I was there, there was actually a reviewer for a student guide at the next table, so I heard a bit about the restaurant’s background from the owner who welcomed them. It certainly has an interesting atmosphere and décor — with the vintage-​y Chinese alongside the austere grandeur of a building that’s a few hundred years old. The food was good, although not the best Chinese I’ve ever had, and the service was pleasant. I would go back, but I wouldn’t rush back either. Apparently, though, they have one of the few authentic Szechuan chefs in the country.