Eat & Drink
Originally published on Thursday, 11th February 2010
Eye of the Tiger
UJ’s Five Best Restaurants for Chinese New Year
Valentines, schmalentines! We’re rather relieved that Chinese New Year is falling on the 14 February this year; and in the year of the Tiger, no less – miiaoww! While we’re going to endeavour not to sing anything to the theme tune of Rocky (promise), we’re all for a little prosperity in our lives, and a bit of dim sum of a weekend doesn’t hurt either. The following are sexy enough to take a date to too, if you just can’t help yourself.
Goldfish
Much loved by North Londoners and well worth the trip for anyone else, this Hampstead landmark is now twice the size following a recent refurb. Chef Kevin Chow is renowned for his mocha ribs and also inspired by Thai, Japanese and Mongolian flavours resulting in a luxe contemporary take on classic favourites.
82 Hampstead High Street, NW3 1RE / 020 7794 6238 / www.goldfish-restaurant.co.uk
Min Jiang
Perched on top of the Royal Garden Hotel, this upmarket Chinese is not low on kitsch factor but is slick and modern with it. Go for Beijing duck served two ways and the yu sheng salad, a specialty for New Year; the higher you toss the 27 ingredients with your chopsticks the greater your luck in the year ahead.
2-24 Kensington High Street, W8 4PT / 020 7361 1988 / www.minjiang.co.uk
Hunan
Let me count the ways I love this place. You can hardly tell it’s a Chinese restaurant from the decor which is all very restrained and almost private club-like, plus there’s no menu, they just check there’s nothing you don’t eat at the beginning and proceed to regale you with a succession of sensational mini dishes. Always a treat.
51 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NE / 020 7730 5712 / www.hunanrestaurant.com
Empress of Sichuan
Just opened and knocking spots off Chinatown’s lesser dives, Empress is owned by the same family as Goldfish but is a different kettle of ‘sea bass in extremely hot soup’ altogether. With spicy pig’s ear slices and said sea bass on the menu it’s not for the faint of heart but will certainly leave your tastebuds tingling.
6 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BG / 0207 734 8128 / www.tastofchina.org.uk
Memories of China
This was probably the first posh but exotic restaurant I ever went to as a teenager and I still crave their sesame prawn toast and braised aubergine when I’m at a low ebb. While not cheap, the set menus go from £19.50 and they’re also good on doggie bags if your Singapore noodles defeat you.
67-69 Ebury Street, SW1W 0NZ / 020 7730 7734 / www.memories-of-china.co.uk