This Chinese will float your boat

The Feng Shang Princess is perfect for a spectacular wedding reception or banquet, writes our star restaurant critic Tatiana von Saxe

FENG Shang Princess is so properly named. The place looks royal and one is made to feel royal. It is the floating Chinese restaurant in Regent’s Park and it is beautifully located. I love Chinese food which may make me both biased and a connoisseur.
I have eaten Chinese food in many places around the world and the food is quite different in each country. Nonetheless their unique flavours remain basically the same despite the different varieties.
My favourites at Feng Shang are Spare Ribs in Champagne and Honey Sauce £6.50, Dried Spicy Salt and Peppercorn Prawns £9.50; Sizzling Lamb with Ginger and Spring Onions £10.50, Fried Ho Fun (rice flat noodles) with Bean Sprouts £6.50.
A bottle of No 22 Rose wine (the only one they have) is £18.50. The total bill for two was £51.50 to which a 10 per cent service was added.
If you like fish, their Feng Shang Princess Steamed Sea Bass (Filleted) at £18 or Deep Fried Crispy Sea Bass (£18) prepared in two flavours – light soy sauce and sweet and sour sauce – are worth trying.
They have set menus ranging from £9.50 to a Feng Shang’s de Luxe at £25.80 per person (for four or more persons).
The charming waitress Swe Yuen Chan – ‘Yumie’ to the regulars – makes your visit that much more enjoyable. It is always agreeable to see someone cheerful and smiling.
I am not sure whether I should share this precious piece of information with you or not as I do not want to find the table occupied on my next visit – but somewhat reluctantly share I will. If you are two for lunch or dinner, book Table One.
You will have the best view of Regent’s Canal and the cruising boats, the ducks making ripples in the water and all the houseboats along the waterway.
But please be generous with the tip – the waiting staff have to come up and down the stairs to service the table.
Recently I took an important client from Hong Kong and was happily surprised when he said that it was one of the best meals he had ever had.

FENG SHANG PRINCESS
Floating chinese restaurant
Cumberland Basin
Prince Albert Road, Regent’s Park
London NW1 7SS
Tel 020 7485 8137 Fax 020 7267 2990
www.chineseboat.co.uk
Open: Mon-Fri.
Noon-2.30pm.
Six-11 pm.
Sat-Sun: Noon-11pm.