Eat & Drink
Originally published on Thursday, 18th November 2010
Hakkasan
London’s sexiest contemporary Cantonese comes to Mayfair
17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB - 020 7907 1888
www.hakkasan.com
Location
Ah, Bruton Street. Once home to a few fusty old galleries, with The Square the only glam spot for the suited and booted. Now it’s fashion and funky art central - Mr Williamson, Ms McCartney and Tyrone Wood’s Scream gallery all vying for attention - so Hakkasan are bang on the money slipping in next to Jack Barclay.
Vibe
Slicker, sexier and even more fabulous than the Michelin-starred Hanway Place original, the new site is sure to be a magnet for Asian food-loving beautiful people (do the two ever not go hand in hand?). The ground floor is designed for relaxed lunching by day and dj-accompanied bar lounging in the evening, while downstairs there’s more room to get on with some serious chowing.
Flavours
The new Mayfair premises has a kitchen twice the size of Bloomsbury’s, all the better for Exec Chef Tong Chee Hwee and his team to prepare old favourites such as superior dim sum and roast silver cod, as well as new dishes like black truffle roast duck and steamed New Zealand mini lobster. And it’s virtually compulsory to start the evening with an expertly-made cocktail like the citrussy Hakkatini.
Décor
Though the design is familiarly Liagre-esque this time Guillame Richard is responsible for the modern, opium-den chic brought about by dark, carved wood,
and embroidered banquettes. For groups of up to 14 there is a rather saucy red lacquer private room and, heck, even the loos feel decadent.
Upshot
David Bailey and the Le Bons have already partied here, although the restaurant only officially opens today, and despite the fact that founder Alan Yau is no longer on board attention to detail doesn’t seem to have suffered. So go; eat, drink and get your swag on. It is the season to, after all.
