RESTAURANT REVIEW
Hakkasan
8 Hanway Place
London
W1T 1HD
For bookings call: 0870 141 6099
Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Sunday
Being one of only two Michelin-starred Chinese restaurants in London, Hakkasan promises to offer one of the capital’s most exciting gastronomic experiences. Hidden away in the corner of Hanway Place, one could easily walk past the entrance if it were not for the sweet smell of incense hanging heavy in the air, luring diners down to the dark and sultry basement. The atmosphere is one of glitz and glamour and the food and drink do not disappoint.
Customers can choose from an extensive dim-sum or à la carte menu. Explore dishes such as the scallop shumai with tobiko caviar or Japanese tofu and blue simmer crab toban from the dim sum menu. Alternatively, for those true gastronomes, Hakkasan offers dishes so exotic they have to be ordered 24 hours in advance, such as “Monk jumps over the wall” – a double boiled soup with abalone, superior shark’s fin, dried scallop, sea cucumber and dried shitake.
The menu is complimented by an equally inspiring wine list - carefully and imaginatively structured by head sommelier Christine Parkinson. Grouped not by country, but in categories including ‘Curious vines: distinctive wines”, “Biodynamics: spiritual wine” and “Age and Grace: mature wines”, German wines, so well matched to Chinese food, are a key component of the list. Hakkasan provides an oenological experience second to none and there is no shortage of top class sommeliers on hand to guide you through your vinous journey.
By the glass, the list offers a 2007 Urban Riesling, St Urbanshof, Mosel. Hakkasan also serves the following:
2007 Scheurebe, Weingut Wittmann £42.00
2007 Estate Dry Riesling, Weingut Wittmann £40.00
2006 Pinot Noir Blauschieffer, Meyer Näkel £65.00
1996 Riesling Spätlese, Weingut Kesseler £25.00
2006 ‘Deep Blue’ Pinot Noir, Weingut Tesch £34.00
1999 Niersteiner Pettental Riesling Auslese, Heyl zu Herrnsheim £51.00 (375ml)
2001 Weissburgunder Spätlese Ihringer Winklerberg Grand Cru, Dr Heger £71.00
