Peking Palace St John’s Street, Bedford
I never need encouragement when it comes to eating Chinese food.
When I consider the first time I had what loosely passed as a ‘spicy’ dish, it was only because if I didn’t eat it – it was Vesta curry - I would have had to go hungry.
And so the first step was taken on my now life-long love affair with my favourite grub. Chinese restaurants, and others, come and go in Bedfordshire but some have flourished on their reputation.
Whenever I set eyes on Peking Palace, Bedford, I am almost magnetically pulled towards the front door. It can be a fatal attraction of the culinary kind.
Unashamedly it is right at the top of my list - the food, ambience, staff and the atmosphere are unbeatable. A few weeks back, before my most recent visit, I had booked a table for four “in the window” at 8.30pm.
When we arrived all tables in that area were full and when I asked I was told we were 30 minutes late so the position had been given to someone else.
“Give me your diary,” I said.“No problem,” was the reply. “It says 8.30pm and it is 8.30pm now,” I point out. “Aaah aah,” is the response . . . “drinks all round” and with a big smile, a scratch of the head and a sincere apology we saw the funny side and happily settled for another table.
Tonight my bride and I are eyeing the £14 per person set menu - you simply can’t beat it.
Duck for starters, complete with pancakes and all the bits that make it compulsive and four dishes plus rice to share. Pork in a magnificent barbecue sauce, beef in vegetables, prawns and to finish off, something a little sweeter, lemon chicken.
It was totally awesome and left us completely stuffed . . . just as well the sweet menu doesn’t appear to be a priority.
There is a warmth in the restaurant matched by the party celebrating a birthday nearby and we were far from neglected despite the doting staff rushing around keeping everyone happy.
The bill arrives with a ten per cent service charge, which although many people have a dislike of this system, is much less than folk might normally leave.
I think we were asked three times if everything was okay and it was - even the total bill of around £37 which included drinks and service - and when we left there was a big hug and even a peck on the cheek from one of the staff. Worth turning up for alone.
CHRIS GILL
