We tried here for the lunch buffet. The food was...
We tried here for the lunch buffet. The food was fair but as usual with buffets, the food temperature could definitely have been much higher. The servers kept an eye on were prompt at bringing drink refills.
One problem we had was my wife being followed into the washroom to be questioned about our bill. The bill was brought to the table, paid with cash, and then taken away. We sat for a couple of minutes chatting then we both used the restroom before leaving. A server followed my wife into the restroom and confronted her in front of another customer about the bill. She told the server that it had been already paid. Too late to take back the tip. Sadly this has left a bad feeling with us, especially my wife.
There are a few buffets in Kingston, I have been...
There are a few buffets in Kingston, I have been to most however they do not stand up to panda garden. The atmosphere is really nice, the art as well. Everything is all laid out and it's great for bringing 10-20 people to as well.
The waitresses are chinese.. so sometimes communication gets a little fuzzy but it's generally pretty good. The service is usually either good or great.
Now, if you go there on mon-thurs at lunch, it is cheaper, any other day and you pay the regular price which I think is like 12 bucks per person.. which isn't all that bad for the amount of food you can eat.
For food they have a desert bar with cream puffs, 8 tubs of ice cream, and other little sweet treats... I am usually sketchy with them but sometimes they are good... Can't go wrong with the ice cream though, bubble gum, cookies & cream, pecan as well... nummy. Then theres the salad bar, with some jello + desert toppings also. Has everything you'd expect, I just wish they'd label the dressings.
On the other side is the soup station, 3 different kinds of soup (if memory serves me). The wonton soup is very good and there are noodles and green onions to dress your bowl with. At the back theres a japaneese section with chicken teriyaki and sushi/rolls. It's a neat little station because you can see them preparing the food. The chicken is very tastey.. I always have to eat as much as I can while I'm there... at one point we waited 10-20 mins just for them to cook the next fresh batch.
Now onto the rows, theres about 4 rows, food on either side.. you got your chicken balls, fried rice, deepfried chicken, lemon chicken (but the sauce is seperate), rice, veg, breaded shrimp, meat on a stick (my favorite), general tow, potatoes, and so much more.. you will find it very easy to locate something that appeals to you.
Now the food quality is just as you would expect: based on the time of day. 8pm- not so good. 4-5pm, VERY good.
Parking wise, very easy due to the fact that it's located in the Kingston Center.
You won't leave Panda hungry. If you believe the old myth that chinese makes you hungry later then you clearly are not stuffing your face enough food :P
The price is good. The quality of food was alright. Not everything was fresh. None of the deserts were fresh. Lots of selection though. Oddly no chicken fried rice served?
The servers are very quick to remove used plates and to refil drinks.
One downfall was that we got seated by two men that seemed to have a very foul odour to them which wasn't really great to be by when you're trying to eat and enjoy a meal.
My biggest complaint: It's a buffet only and they charge one flat rate per person (plus whatever you drink) so each person gets a bill for 12 something plus tax... there was 3 in our party and they gave us 4 bills, then argued with us when we were done and went to pay even though a man who was also waiting to pay told them he was sitting near us and there in fact was only 3 not 4 people eating. Not sure if I will be returning.
I ate here 4 times so far. Every time is pretty good. The price is decent, and the food is not bad tasting. I wouldn't call it real Asian food though.
If you want to go there, please go during the rush hours (like between 5:30-7:00), otherwise you might have the same experience JF had (see below). It is pretty much common sense for any buffet place to go when it is busy :)
Oh, be sure you try the cakes! I think the best ones are those square ones that taste like coffee or orange.
