Review of Henry's Oriental (Mr Wongs) Chipping sodbury

Henry's Oriental has been open three months above the George Public House in Chipping Sodbury High St, having moved from Cranleigh Court Rd, Yate.

The restaurant was a typical 'character' Chipping Sodbury house with different sitting areas on different floors, and a beamed ceiling. A small balcony area looking down on other diners gave an intimate feel to the party of nine that I was in. There was a fortune cracker on each place setting.

It was Saturday night and the restaurant was doing a roaring trade. All the space was used for diners, although I noted that people were not too crammed in, as happens in some other places. On quieter times of the week, a large area is turned into a lounge, for people to relax in before their meal or afterwards whilst having their coffee.

I chose set Menu D which was three courses for £16.50 per person and was for a minimum of two people. There ware three courses and plenty of variety. The appetisers consisted of five different dishes which included Satay Beef and Crispy Seaweed. The 2nd course was Crispy Duck and Plum Sauce in Pancakes, and the main course was a beef dish, a roast pork dish and an orange chicken dish which we agreed was the best dish of the night. The main course came with egg fried rice and vegetables.

None of the party had a sweet, but the illustrations on the dessert menu looked delicious. There ware ten choices including a 'character' ice cream for children at £2.50.  The adult selection included apple fritters, sticky toffee caramel pie and lychees with ice cream.

All of the nine people in the party were happy with the food. Mr Wong's character really makes the place, and it was good to see local young people being employed and picking up some catering experience. Mr Wong told me that a couple of the young people had gone on to do catering at college.

I noticed that a couple of people on my table had to wait for their pak choi side-dish until they were well into their main course. For this reason it is with deep regret that I will have to withhold half a happy tummy, and I award Henry's Oriental nine and a half happy tummies. (.) (.) (.) (.) (.) (.) (.) (.) (.) (.

To book phone 01454 325180. There are some good lunch time deals on offer.

P.S. It has been the Chinese new year recently and we are now in the year of the tiger. The tiger is traditionally associated with massive changes and social upheaval. I asked Henry if he had any big plans to change things at Henry's Oriental. He said that as he had only been there for three months he was only planning to do small 'tweaks'. Quite right I think as the place is pretty much perfect.