The Peking Inn - Cookham Village reviews

Review added 17/10/2016 10:43 by AJay

Another great meal here, the Peking has never let me down

Review added 10/06/2014 20:05 by plateman

Having used the Chef Peking for 30 years in its various re-incarnations at Maidenhead, Cookham and Henley, I stopped using it after the poor, stale food served to us at a disastrous £3000-plus private party for 50 business friends in 2001.

2014 saw me willing to re-try, I took a party of four to the Cookham outlet, and perhaps foolishly, ordered the £25 per head fixed menu, which I assumed would be pretty jolly good at that price. Suffice to say that it will be another few years before I re-open my Asian food experiment programme.

I may have too high an expectation, as I spend quite a bit of time in the Far East, where one dines so well (for so little). A maxim used by Asian diners is 'Never try an empty restaurant' - had I acted on that , I would not have entered - we were the only customers for the session.

This is a good spot for MSG enthusiasts and for anyone who revels in dried pre-pulled crispy(??)duck in dry pancakes. I would complain about the tiny portions, had the food been enjoyable; as it was, I was grateful that they had put us on ration.

Why not complain? Because I am English and I was entertaining old friends. Had I been alone, I would have sent some dishes back for replacement with newly-cooked, or required a significant alteration to the heavy bill.

Service was fine- but why not? That's all the front-of-house people have to get right.
I once had a more disappointing Chinese meal - knocked up by an Armenian in Crete. That was predictable!

Notwithstanding, I am pleased to see that so many of the reviews are so positive, and I opine that many reviewers wrote from long experience of critical appreciation. Shame my own trial-run bore such unripe fruit.

Review added 30/07/2013 14:54 by S&B

Have been using this restaurant for many years, excellent food as always and service is fantastic.We dine at the PI every week and have never been disapointed. Best there is without a doubt.The staff are very welcoming and friendly.

Review added 05/05/2013 19:24 by Happy Eater

Not been for a while but so pleased to have gone back. Fab food and friendly service. Nothing like tasty Chinese straight from the wok/oven and so much flavour and quality. A little pricy but I don't mind when it is so well prepared and well presented.

Review added 18/03/2013 09:04 by Mark

I agree with Jamie. I had a meal there on Saturday with the family, five of us. We had six beers and a nice bottle of white wine, Starters, half a crispy duck and main courses. The bill came to £131 with tip, which I thought was very reasonable, the food was excellent and service spot on. The place was full, we left about 9ish and people were still coming in. That alone speaks for itself, worth visiting if you have not done so before.

Review added 11/02/2013 17:49 by anon

We have never been to this restaurant, and recently I really fancied some crispy duck with pancakes. I ordered a take away. I can't fault the service, which was extremely fast and within 15 minutes food was ready for pickup.

However, I was really disappointed by the quality and taste. My duck was really really small (even for 1/4), and more importantly was about 70% crisp / unchewable, 30% duck. At £9.00, I really expected better. I tried Waitrose crispy duck and pancakes before which wasn't as expensive, it was half a duck, was slightly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside and tasted fabulous ! I looked at the menu, and overall, prices are really high.

Sorry but this has put me off booking a meal at that restaurant.

Review added 04/11/2012 22:29 by anon

Been going here for 9 years and has always been aboslutely fantastic.
Good food, fair prices and friendly service.
Ignore all the overly -agressive negative review on here - if you're looking for a good chinese resturant with a happy atmosphere then the Peking Inn is for you

Review added 14/10/2012 23:09 by Alison

Dined there last week for the first time in probably over a year! There have been quite a few lovely additions to the menu, including a tempura prawn and deep fried soft shell crab. Both delicious. Our usual of ribs with sauce, steamed sea bass and pak choy dish didn't disappoint. Service was impeccable. Will definitely be going back to try the rest of the new dishes!

Review added 11/07/2012 12:10 by anon

Never answer phone!!

Review added 01/03/2012 19:33 by anon

The best chinese restaurant in, er, Cookham

Review added 29/02/2012 22:32 by Tobin

A tad churlish to actually state a purposeful 'desire' to negatively influence others because you felt your experience did not warrant the optional service charge. Don't pay it then - don't pay less then moan about having done so.
The Peking Inn staff I have known for over 10yrs are always polite, friendly and welcoming - the food excellent and the service great. Yes when busy
they can be a little rushed but most popular restaurants are the same but they are never rude.. in my experience. Reviews are of course meant to allow a place to offer personal opinion but the experience that my family, friends and colleagues has always been very positive and in stark contrast to the previous review.

Review added 08/12/2011 12:49 by New to the area

Had the banquet and felt it was very expensive for the size and quality of the dishes. Not sure I'd bother going back.

Review added 09/11/2011 17:19 by J Kelly

In response to the last review - your opinion of the Peking Inn being average is 'in my opinion' rather harsh. If you know of another oriental restaurant that delivers better quality of food at the same prices with the same consistently high service and great atmosphere then please tell us all.

I have over 10 years of custom at Peking Inn and have simply lost count of how many times I have recommended it to friends, clients, colleagues etc and unfailingly ALL have visited and had such a good experience they have subsequently recommended it themselves.

The service charge at 12.5% is a little higher than normal I agree BUT I personally feel the great value of the broad menu and the service received warrant it. True 'optional' should be just that but if you left 6.25% [half the 12.5% - as stated] tip is I would suggest that is far too little and would not reflect the good service you almost certainly received.

Review added 17/09/2011 11:00 by Christine Jannetta

It's clear that in this noisy restaurant that unless you are a regular, you are treated with disrespect and discourtesy!
The food at The Peking Inn is OK but not great and therefore if you want a really good Chinese meal, I would recommend that you go to Lychee (in Cookham Rise) and buy a takeout!

Review added 29/07/2011 19:00 by karen moyse

We have been to The Peking Inn in Cookham for years. It's one of the best chinese restaurants in the area and the atmosphere is always relaxed and the service friendly and efficient. It's not haute cuisine but the standard of cooking is much higher than most chinese restaurants. Their lettuce wrap can't be beaten even by restaurants in Soho.

Review added 23/11/2010 13:59 by Jim Smith

I have just logged on to see a very mixed range of reviews the Peking Inn has recently received. The rather snarling and aggressive attitude of some of the reviewers I think clearly shows a lack of respect for other peoples opinion and if that same attitude and approach is taken to a restaurant or other service establishment, I am not surprised you are dealt with in a rather indifferent manner.

If you have had a bad experience did you speak to the Manager about it and have your complaint heard?? I think not.

Peking Inn has over 20 years established one of the largest and most loyal customer bases of any restaurant in the area and that has been achieved through consistently delivering high quality service and food and memorable customer experience.

Most discerning diners do not return to a bad or indifferent experience, so whilst it is entirely feasible your experience was not as many others have enjoyed, I would suggest you are in an overwhelming minority.

I have dined at PK for 15+yrs and have recommended it to many friends, colleagues and clients and all have passed on the recommendation having themselves enjoyed an excellent time.

Finally is your suggestion restaurants are writing their own reviews one you can substantiate? I would be surprised if some were not but equally surprised if others were.

Review added 20/11/2010 09:24 by Robert Harris

David, you say banish 'anon'. Isn't giving only your first name pretty anonymous?

Based on your experience of 9 years ago you've castigated the Peking Inn and spread your bad news to hundreds! How churlish of you.

This is a real, honest review from a real person happy to reveal his full name.

Last evening I went to the Peking Inn with a group of friends. We all chose the set £16.50 dinner and were swiftly served with an interesting variety of dishes. The food was hot and tasty and there was plenty of it. The service was excellent and our requests for more sauces and other items were dealt with quickly.

A very enjoyable evening.

Robert Harris

Review added 18/11/2010 17:12 by anon

Whatever the ins and outs concerning the authorship of some reviews, I can only say that over a number of years I've always enjoyed my visits to the Peking, whether to eat in or purchase a take away.
I find it alarming that the origin of reviews can be traced. Webmaster - please comment.

Review added 13/11/2010 10:10 by Customer Fri evening

I really have to wonder whether the 5 star reviews have been written by the owners themselves. From the outside of the restaurant, the big glass front it all looks very inviting. But once you put your foot through the door you experience the opposite. Service staff and front of house clearly are more interested how fast the order will be placed, how long it will take you to eat and when you will finally leave. We could have dealt with poor service if at least the food had been good. Overpriced and as bad as takeaways. Starter chicken kebabs tough as a boot. Peking duck and beef dish from the set menu were the only good dishes. Rest was below avarage. Really appaling for a restaurant in a nice village like Cookham. Then they also had the oddasity to add a service charge of 15% to our bill for two people. What a waste of time. Not recommended. Don't do it to your taste buds.

Review added 27/10/2010 16:22 by anon

Here...here!! The Peking Inn rightly deserves its place as one of just a few establishments rated 5 stars on this website! If you haven't been, you should, if you have been you will know why it earns it status!

Review added 21/09/2010 10:30 by Jamie & Kellie

As ever, fabulous food and the best service you could ask for in any restaurant. Saturday night was heaving yet John and his team effortlessly made sure every table had a great evening which, as always, made for a thoroughly enjoyable atmosphere! There are many restaurants in Cookham which offer fine fare, but few, if any, match the service at Peking Inn!

Review added 31/08/2010 10:55 by Anon

I would ask the most recent reviewer if they raised their concerns about the food quality at the time of their visit? John and Co would certainly have listened to your concerns and rectified anything that was not up to their impeccable standards. Having dined at PI for over 15years, I have taken friends, colleagues and family to this restaurant and all have delivered nothing but praise for the food, the service and the ambiance. Peking Inn remains at the top of its game and is a shining example of a well managed, kitchen orientated and successful restaurant that inspires loyalty from its many customers, new and old.

Review added 23/07/2010 14:24 by Anon

A pleasure to return time and time again to a restaurant that takes consistent pride in its foods and its service and really values all its customers - John and Co unfailingly ensure a good night out!

Review added 28/05/2009 14:17 by Anon

There are few small pleasures better than a visit to the PK for a Saturday night [or any other evening in fact]. John and Patrick [get well soon] are the most efficient, professional, endearing and attentive staff you could hope for [the whole team are] and the food is 'always' excellent. We have been going for over 15yrs now and think Cookham is all the better for having the PK in it! Best Wishes!

Review added 14/01/2009 13:41 by Jamie & Kellie

Without doubt the best restaurant Cookham has to offer (and it has many great places to eat!). John, Patrick and all his staff make dining out the experience it should be; relaxing, enjoyable, fun and a pleasure. The food is always outstanding and the ambience they create for their customers almost delivers a home away from home feel! We now live in Ascot but return to the Peking Inn regularly and simply cannot imagine choosing anywhere else when Eastern cuisine is called for. If you do not try the Peking Inn you will never fully realise just how good a dining out experience can be - the warmest welcome and a great night out awaits you.