Flaming Dragon Reviews

  See also: the Flaming Dragon profile page.

Anthony Doolan - 23rd July 2009

Rating: (Not rated - review added before star ratings introduced.)

The Flaming Dragon is a Chinese buffet-style restaurant situated in Valley Centertainment.

Easy to spot in the complex, the restaurant has lighted squares above the doorway. The lighting of the restaurant name above the door is in black lettering with red lights surrounding it and an orange glow, which sets off a flame-like effect.

Our party attended the restaurant at 7PM and had access to a wider variety of food than if we'd gone during the day. We were served with drinks at the bar, shown to our table and offered further drinks later on.

Smartly dressed and always ready to help, the staff were friendly and as you'd expect, Chinese. Service was quick; plates and glasses were cleared in a short space of time.

The concept at this establishment is to help yourself to as much food as you wish for a single price. A group of seven adults, we paid £9.95 per head. The price of drinks was usual, no difference here.

The food was in a large bain marie, constantly kept up-to-date with cutlery, plates and napkins at the side. Salads and desserts were further down the counter. Even though it was busy, there was plenty of room for you to access the food.

The quality of the food itself was good and catered for most tastes. The food available included: chips, rice, stir fry, noodles and green beans.

Chinese dishes such as the Cantonese-style pork, sweet and sour chicken, and succulent prawns; crispy seaweed and prawn crackers were also available.

After we'd eaten our first helpings, we were offered grilled pineapple on a stick and prawns on a stick as samplers, which were nice.

The tables were well laid out (in rows) and the chairs were comfortable.

I didn't eat a dessert myself as I filled up with the main meal, but the dessert choices included buns, ice cream, custard, biscuits and jelly.

Other customers were of varied ages so clearly the restaurant caters for a mixed age range and though there were no children in our party, the selection of foods would suffice.

The interior of the restaurant was brightly lit and colourful, traditionally decorated with Chinese-style pictures and oriental rugs. Large Chinese vases were in the foyer.

Though originally billed in error for eight people instead of seven, this was quickly resolved with no fuss.

Fact File:

Price - Good value for money - all you can eat buffet for £9.95

Parking - The Centertainment car park is outside the restaurant so easily accessible.

Drinks - No discount here. Regular prices.

Table Service: Quick and efficient. Free samples (pineapple lollipop and fish on stick were passed around). We were offered drinks several times whilst at the table.

Atmosphere: Friendly, though busy it was comfortable and not noisy or overcrowded.

Children/juniors menu - cheaper prices on the menus for children.

Website: - Latest offers and prices can be found here as well as location maps.
http://www.flaming-dragon.co.uk