First off the food is easily the best Chinese food I ever had. However Chinese isn't my first…read morechoice but I was entertaining a customer (who is also a mate of many years) and he is a big fan of Chinese and the Straw Hat. Its very expensive not much change from £200.00 for two of us. Started with a fillet steak stir fry served on top of a salad Paul had ribs and spring rolls both were excellent. Mains were Red Thai Chicken Curry and Beef with Black Beans couple of Rice and a Duck Curry on the side. It really was very very good. Plenty of bottles of beer and a few large brandies afterwards. The place is on the main Harlow road and is actually a few doors down from David Beckham's house , well a few doors down from the gatehouse at the front of the drive to the Beckham's place !! My only problem with the place and hence the 4 stars is that its very much like eating in a museum. Its very hushed, people seem to talk in whispers which we ended up doing without realising. The staff are great but seem to hover and also speak in hushed tones. Its just to formal for me. However the food is worth feeling like you must put your hand up when you want to visit the loo !!!

I was 5 years old when I used to go to the restaurant with my parents, they were friendly with the…read moreowners at that time. I now live in the US and am 60 years old but will visit the restaurant when I'm back in the UK. Great food , great service !

The service at this restaurant was exceptional, and the staff were friendly and attentive…read morethroughout. The food was fantastic, and the atmosphere welcoming. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great dining experience!

Great place food was excellent. Past reviews have complained about the price but you pay for…read morequality so if you want a meal for five pounds in five minutes go to KFC! Service was good and attentive. All around great!

I have only every eastern in this exceptional Chinese restaurant, but I can still remember how…read moreAmazing the food and service were. Now that's not something you can sayoftern right! So, for anyone who hasn't eaten here and things they've had Chinese cuisine I would say very simply, you haven't eaten Chinese until you've eaten here. It the bomb, it amazing, it will give you taste buds a work out and best of all you won't wake up the next day full of Mac's regretting every mouthful. Expect to pay top money for a top meal and ambience A++++ The Risk

The prawn toast has seen a prawn, and the prawn has seen an ocean!…read more A fantastic place for a family meal or celebration - big round tables, lazy susans (the spinning top, not just an incompetent waitress), nice wine, and TASTY, FRESH Chinese food. Highly recommend the mixed hors d'oeuvres. Dishes are generous, service is relaxed and friendly. Duck pancakes are the best I've ever had (and it's a constant mission of mine), veges and meat are fresh, well cooked and rice is sticky as. In hot competition with the duck pancakes is my new favourite, lamb and lettuce. Comes with a gorgeously sticky plum sauce. If you are celebrating a birthday let them know and you will be in for a glorious treat. Cliff Richard singing "Congratulations" (yes, that version!) at 100 decibels, with the lights off, coloured lasers tripping around the room and then a big serve of toffee apples and bananas smothered in vanilla ice-cream -- woop!

We get take away from there all the time, and quite honestly it really provides some of the best…read moreChinese food I've ever had. Their crispy chilli beef is awesome, the portions are good, I don't think I've ever had a bad dish from Oriental Star. We're in the area quite regaularly and use this takeaway loads. We don't get Chinese back at home (deepest darkest Essex) because all the local ones to us never match up to the Oriental Star... If you're looking for a good Chinese - then look no further.

Outside of Thailand this must be the best Thai cuisine that I have tasted. Not only the taste but…read morethe service and atmosphere as soon as you arrive. Thai greetings by genuine Thais. However, the main thing, the food. A wonderful, extensive menu at reasonable prices. Even drinks are reasonable for a restaurant. Prices that more resemble than a pub. Who is to complain? Service by very friendly staff, friendly but totally professional. A wonderful evening with a friend of my partner. We will be back. Only down, and not the fault of the restaurant, was an extremely noisy table of eight. Nobody could have a conversation until they left. There was a noticeable sigh from many tables at that point. Anyway, ladies may I say ' - kp-kun-kráp' (thank you) from the three of us.

Bishy Stort is so lucky to have this!! I gotta find my east london equivalent…read more Been here a few times now and it never fails to deliver authentic and flavorful dishes. (However, they don't deliver - so you'll need to either dine in or collect). It's 10% off if you take-away so all is good! Tom yum - absolutely fantastic with a good spice range and tender chicken Tamarind duck - a hit every time and less sweet than expected (good thing as can be sickly sweet) Red duck curry (Gaeng Ped Yang) - solid coconutty choice which doesn't skimp on the meat Have had their crispy chicken wontons (Kio Krob) and the Golden Treasures appetiser which was just okay. Didn't seem as freshly made.

Excellent and tasty food which is well presented and served with a nice smile. Sweet and sour…read morechicken was as good as it gets and I recommend the squid which was tender and succulent - a far cry from the rubbery efforts dished up ny some restaurants. Good value and extremely smart and well-kept decor. We will return soon.# jonathan