Tipped

One for someone elses tab ;)

May 02, 2009

With its door staff and guest lists, Hakkasan is the sort of restaurant that people go to in shows like Sex and the City, and that makes it feel a bit passe. The decor is almost too perfectly of the trendy restaurant genre even though it is lovely.

I have to say that for the price you pay the food is pretty average. While everything is really tasty, it's not particularly stand out food. I have a theory that Indian and Chinese cuisine should never be dressed up too much because unless you're a very clever and innovative chef you lose what makes the food great. That definitely doesn't happen at Hakkasan.

However, their cocktails are amazing (and dangerous for the old credit card). As was my dessert (a savarin with ginger ice cream and a delectable mango cream thing).

Also, they are table turners which is lame, but they did offer tap water so plus points there.

This is the sort of restaurant to go for client entertaining because your company will pick up the bill!

Tags: posh, michelin starred, cocktails, alan yau, chinese, dim sum, posh

Best Yet Priciest Chinese Food Ever

April 20, 2008

Be sure to have a reservation, this place is rightfully popular. Everything we had was amazing. If you're not sure about what wine would be right, definitely go with the sommelier - he knows his wine, and I think I had the best cabernet ever there. The cuisine is unique and creative, the atmosphere intimate and modern. If you have the money to spend or want to impress someone, this is the place to do it. Great bar too for before or after your meal.

Tags: chinese, asian fusion, expensive, fine wines, cocktails; pan-asian

Over-hyped

March 09, 2008

The food here is definitely delicious. I'm not a fan of chinese food (too much of it as a teenager) but I was very satisfied with our selections for dinner. Lovely crisp soft shell crab and thai style quail stir fry kicked off the meal. Our main courses of roast duck (succulent but not too fatty) and mongolian style venison were delicious - the venison simply melted in my mouth. But despite the food, I give Hakkason just 2*.

Why - maybe we were just unlucky but a few things didn't go our way. Limited dessert options as the pastry section was being renovated - just fruit salad or a chocolate pudding. As this was a birthday dinner this was dissapointing and I wish we were informed of this when booking (or even when they seated us)! Second issue - the mens toilets were blocked and there was water all over the floor in the ladies. Obviously this could not have been planned and the staff were doing everything they could to make sure no one slipped and hurt themselves but it definitely took the shine off our experience.

And finally the service - it is efficient but very impersonal (apart from the sommelier who loved our wine choice). For these prices and a Michelin star I expect more. So whilst the food is great it doesn't measure up to the Michelin package I would expect.

Tags: chinese, asian fusion, michelin stars

Not deserving of a Michelin

September 20, 2007

I give Hakkasan credit for fabulous interior design. They have a great bar and cocktails. As for the food, it is average. Seriously nothing to write home about. How they managed to get a Michelin star is beyond me. In addition, they charge Michelin star prices for food that you could get at a hawker stand which is probably better quality.

Hit and miss

August 14, 2007

I've been here several times now - a couple of times with clients for lunch and once in the evening (as a birthday treat). The lunchtime visits were excellent - good service, good food - but the evening was a complete let down. For the service and food quality we received definitely over-priced. If I do go back, it will certainly be for lunch.

Tags: chinese, expensive

Excellent modern Chinese with too many businessmen

July 02, 2007

The food was excellent modern Chinese food - think what Gary Rhodes would produce if he was from Sechuan and you get the idea. The wine list is predicatably high quality central London fare, but nothing special or reigonal to distinguish it from most posh eateries. The interior design is all black laquer and glass, very smart and coule be intimate except for the heavy tarffic in business lunches which, although perfectly nice people, make it feel a little impersonal.

Tags: chinese food, fine wines, modern cuisine, business lunches

Best asian fusion

July 02, 2007

The place is famous and deservedly so. Go early and have exotic cocktails, then take your time at dinner. My biggest tip, would be to let the staff chose as they will bring out a smorgasbord of the best of the menu. Get ready to have your taste buds delighted and come with a big appetite.

Tags: Asian, fusion, cocktails, thai, chinese, japanese

Trendy Chinese Fusion

July 01, 2007

Although you will pay for it, this place is amazing. You walk down stairs into a dark room filled with tables and people eating. All their food from the dim sum to the crispy duck rolls to the waitstaff to the cocktails are all top notch. I have spent many times there with client and all have been impressed.

Tags: trendy