Westminster and Pimlico News from London, London, England • 14

14a Thursday January FC Capital Eating Out Safety first in the Garden SCANDIES restaurant bar A WARM WELCOME AWAITS YOU AT ONE OF BEST KEPT SECRETS YOUR LOCAL BAR AND RESTAURANT IN A DELIGHTFUL MEWS LOCATION DELICIOUS HOME-MADE FOOD REALISTICALLY PRICED LIST OF OVER 30 WINES FROM £750 OPEN 7 DAYS PRIVATE PARTIES CATERED FOR 4 KYNANCE PLACE (OFF GLOUCESTER ROAD) KENSINGTON SW7 TEL: 071-5893659 SOOTHINGLY FAMILIAR: Waitress Connie Chung with one of the duck specialities IF you are going to open a restaurant when the world is still struggling to come out of recession then it pays to play it safe At least that is what the owners of the new Jade Garden must have decided This standard Chinese packs no punches when it comes to originality or new-fangled creative cooking instead they offer the tried and tested favourites If had enough spring rolls sweet and sour pork and banana fritters to last a lifetime then the Jade Garden is not for you On the other hand if you like mainstream Chinese food at reasonable prices then it might be worth a shot When we went it was full with a diverse mix of office groups grabbing an after-work bite to eat romantic couples and families The beauty of the Jade Garden is that you know exactaly what you are getting: this is the Chinese takeaway food we have been gorging for years served in the comfort of a restaurant The menu has the familiar ring of takeaways everywhere We plumped for a set meal with mixed starters Sweet and Sour prawns Rung Po Chicken with chilli (be warned this is hot) beef with green peppers in black bean sauce and special fried rice Extremely generous portions meant there was easily enough food for three people Staff at the Jade Garden are friendly and eager to please At one point manager Jackson Cho brought over the house special cocktail a lurid green concoction complete with a green cherry and an umbrella One sip confirmed my worst suspicions -creme de menthe with every white spirit from Bacardi through to vodka and Malibu Finishing with coffee and fortune cookies the meal was reasonable but not memorable Anna Peasgood STAURANTS 2 EAT FOR THE PRICE OF 1 between 12 noon and 5pm Monday to Friday (applies to food only) Hamburgers chicken chilli salads vegetarian alternatives delicious desserts and menu Open Mon to Thurs 12 noon to 1130pm Fri 12 noon to 12 midnight Sat 11am to 12 midnight Sun 11am to 11pm Please present at one of our branches 115 Notting Hill Gate Wll 071 727 6562 120 Holland Park Avenue Wll 071 229 8567 177 New Bangs Road SW6 071 736 4023 GUIDE TO GOOD DINING.