I had the pleasure of eating at Bon East Restaurant this evening, in Farnham.
Arriving at around 7:15pm, the restaurant seemed very popular with family groups (a couple of Birthday parties were being celebrated too). As the evening drew on, the families left, and couples and adult groups remained.
I was first welcomed by one of the owners (who also was on hand at all times). The other staff were also always prompt, attentive, and courteous.
The tap water requested, seemed to arrive as soon as I’d asked for it. It also tasted freshly filtered, rather than direct from a mains tap.
The freshly made food was produced very quickly, and was well made and reasonably presented.
As a lacto vegetarian (egg free veggie), they were able to modify a couple of dishes to suit. I therefore enjoyed dishes of Bean Curd & green pepper with a black bean sauce, a Chinese fried vegetables, and an ample supply of boiled rice with cashew nuts and pineapple.
It doesn’t look that impressive from the outside (and certainly the website could be improved considerably). However, the interior was well produced, warmly lit, and with silk napkins on each table. I was also particularly pleased that chopsticks were the default option (rather than knives, forks and spoons as seems so often the case with ‘westernised’ Chinese restaurants).
Having spent over two weeks travelling through China in 2005, fortunately only ever eating at the top restaurants in the various areas, I’ve yet to experience an authentic Chinese meal in quite the same way. Bon East in Farnham however, came close.
Bon East is now one of my favourite Chinese restaurants.
–
Update 08/06/11:
Returning back to Bon East today, the manager welcomed me back quite clearly recognising me from my one visit before (I didn’t think I was normally that memorable!)
After ordering my food with one of the waitresses, he approached my table, to tell me that I’d left a jacket with them during my last visit (even remembering where I was sat)!
I hadn’t even realised I’d left this top behind, so for him to recognise me nearly a month later, and return the jacket to me I felt was exceptional!
The food was once again simple as it should be, but superb.