Alisan’s golden dim sum dumplings are some of the best in London and certainly worth the trip to Wembley!

The Venue
Alisan’s modern, glass-fronted exterior looms up on the corner of Wembley Retail Park, close to the austere Wembley Park tube station and the new Wembley Stadium, which dominates the whole area with its massive size.

From the foyer, Alisan resembles an ultra clean hotel lobby, pleasant, inviting, but not entirely atmospheric. Flat screen plasma TVs silently dish out Sky sports news, which makes the place seem a little futuristic and utilitarian. Attention to detail here is high. Every table is immaculately laid, and staff constantly appear to check and re-check table placements. The interior design is stylish but not intrusive. The walls are white, chairs cream and tables pine. The floor is a granite colour. The Alisan complex also features a larger upstairs bar and karaoke room.

The Atmosphere
Alisan’s polite staff are friendly, attentive and efficient. The team are evidently proud of their restaurant and able to give sound advice on what to order form the menu. Diners are usually either business people from local stores and offices, or Chinese families drawn here for the dim sum. However, when the stadium hosts events the restaurant is usually packed with anyone and everyone as it’s probably the closest place to the get good quality food.

The Food
Several chefs take charge of various portions of the menu at Alisan: one for dim sum, one for mains and one for fish... and judging from the food, all seem to be expert in what they do!

The dim sum is particularly delightful and should kick-start any diner’s experience at this restaurant (the Golden Dumpling has won several dim sum awards). Dumplings are well proportioned and tasty, though very fishy. The delicate hot sauce served with them is a well chosen accompaniment. Other notable starting dishes include the crispy aromatic duck, wasabi prawns, and deep fried soft shell crab with honey crunchy breadcrumb. There are also a variety of soups which include two styles of shark's fin and a Rainbow Beancurd Broth with vegetables.

The roast duck is a great main course, tasty though guaranteed to pile on the pounds (it’s rather fatty). The meat comes with an oyster or garlic sauce and the oyster sauce is particularly good: it’s a little sticky and sweet and a mouthwatering good accompaniment for both duck and sugar snap vegetables. The menu offers a range of other mains including fish, meat and a great deal of vegetarian and vegan options that will please non-meat eaters.

At around £3 desserts are thoroughly economical conclusion to a meal, served with elegant decoration in sensible, non-excessive portions. Names are interesting: poached bird's nest with ginseng, sweet black sesame ball and deep-fried vanilla ice cream. Sadly, you can't try them all but you should sample at least a couple if you don’t mind adding a few extra inches to your waistline. The mango pudding is perhaps the least indulgent, a subtly flavored palate cleanser to end a top notch meal.

The Drink
The wine list in sensible, large but not extensive and offers a range of good quality bottles from about £15 to £25. Champagne is also available, as are a small range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. House wine is served by bottle or glass and the dark, black fruit and berry-flavoured Gineset Merlot-Cabernet, Bordeux is pretty good and more than acceptable at around £3 a glass and £12 a bottle. The bar also stocks soft drinks, spirits, beers and cider.

Chinese tea is also on offer. Alisan’s menu features Great Red Robe Daffodil and Screw Shaped Green Tea. Certainly varieties to try next time you go!

The Last Word
Should the big name act fail to impress, an indulgent selection of good quality Chinese food is available at Alisan, just a stone’s throw from Wembley Stadium.

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