The Basin

I highly recommend it. Nice atmosphere, whether you are alone, with some friends or in large groups. Efficient staff, not particularly friendly, but they get things done. The food was really good. It was fresh and it came in good portions. The menu has a lot of variety, which is helpful when it comes to deciding on whether to come back or not. Finally, the price was fair and makes for an economic meal.

Most of my friends have been here and recommend it so I was really expecting a good meal. The meal was very good and the portions were also good. My only slight issue was the service, the staff seemed to rush you a tad. Other than that the price and meal was reasonable and I would recommend.

Very busy when we visited but they managed to fit us in. Staff are efficient however not always friendly. Food was as you would expect. Great place for groups who don’t mind the noise.

This, in my opinion, is the best place to eat in Loughborough. The prices are pretty fair for what you’re getting and the place is nicely decorated. Our waiter was really friendly and the food was quick. Although our drinks were slower to come and the waiter accidentally knocked over one of them without offering a replacement, which was a bit of a surprise. I had the steamed buns for starter and the seafood udon noodles for main and would recommend both.

Is it wrong to base an opinion of a place on the attractiveness of the waitresses? I hope not, because The Basin in Loughborough has (or at least did have) some truly gorgeous staff under its employ and has probably gained a star because of it. Does this make me a creep? Probably. Would I go again for this reason? Most likely. It has however been considerable time since I last visited (there’s a theme with these reviews…) and staff have most likely changed, which is more than can be said about my underwear. To tell you the truth I’m not even sure if The Basin still exists. I can’t remember a lot about it which does kind of mark this whole exercise down as one of futility so I’ll keep it brief.
The first time I went it was amazing, the last time not so; skin on the pork katsu curry and sweet pork dough balls so hot and so microwaved they were almost inedible. Dry, tasteless and processed, the quality of the food declined so rapidly I haven’t been back since. Was the restaurant merely having a bad day, as we’re all prone to? I don’t know, but to tell the truth the standards started slipping long before then. With each visit it became more and more obvious that it was the microwave and not the hob that was the ‘go to guy’ and perhaps as a result the restaurant gradually started to empty of its clientele. It’s a massive shame since the idea of The Basin was wonderful, an attempt to fuse the vibrant mixtures of Chinese, Japanese and Thai food, which meant everything from Thai Green Curry to Sashimi; Dim Sum to Udon.
I have no explanation as to why the quality of The Basin had, in my experience, declined so rapidly, nor do I attempt to provide one. All I can say is that I hope this was a one off because the first few times I went I was impressed; the food, the service and the décor were all excellent. As has been said however this was a long time ago (pushing 3 years?) and it may have changed considerably, and it may be that this is now the best restaurant in Loughborough. I simply don’t know if it has or hasn’t; if it is or isn’t. Which only serves to highlight how absolutely fruitless and futile this review has actually been.
Told you.

Love the sushi and dim sum, the main courses are nothing special. The staff are either very busy or uninterested! 4 stars for the food

I’ve been a couple of times. The staff are lovely and friendly but unfortunately the food is fairly bland and un-​noteworthy.

I’ve been several times now. Each time we’ve had great service and great food. It’s not too pricey and there is a good choice.

This Chinese/​Thai/​Japanese restaurant is quite good and quite classy, and in my case the service was quick, patient and of good advice. But the Basin has got far too many tables to be quiet during the week-​end. The choice in sushi is extensive (with or without rice and seaweed wrapping, tuna/​salmon/​smoked salmon or mix), but when the waiter gives away that you would have to order 5 or 6 small Maki assortments at 3 pounds each to get the equivalent of a proper main dish, you begin to wonder if it was the best place for a cheap evening snack.
Fortunately, the curries and ramen (about ⁷⁄₈ pounds) were more nourishing. But with that price range, I did not try the desserts. To have a look at the comprehensive menu, pay a visit to their nice website before.
Don’t bother to come if you don’t like to use chopsticks.

This new restaurant offers an extensive Dim Sum, Sushi and Thai menu. Sushi bento boxes are available for takeout at lunchtime, but I went in the evening. Despite it being quite quiet, it took nearly half an hour for the waitress to come and take our orders– but once the food arrived, it was great. We shared some starters– the prawn toast had actual prawns on top, which was great. The main course was very filling, huge portions for about £7 or £8, so good value for money. Nice and spicy too– I had a Duck Red Thai curry. Their dessert menu consists mainly of cheesecakes, but they were amazing. Wine costs about £13/​bottle (for 4 glasses), so not extortionate, and the setting is very nice too– well decorated with bench-​style seating. Cutlery is provided if you can’t cope with using chopsticks for rice!