Gouqi Restaurant London Review: A Culinary Ode to Contemporary Chinese Cuisine

April 16, 2024 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

Gouqi restaurant in London is an artistic homage to contemporary Chinese cuisine by Chef Tong Chee Hwee. Having opened its doors in February 2023, this fine dining establishment sits opposite Trafalgar Square. It marks Chef Tong’s much-anticipated return to the London dining scene since his departure from the Hakkasan Group in 2019. Chef Tong, known for his pivotal role in earning multiple Michelin stars across the Hakkasan brand, brings to Gouqi the same innovative spirit and culinary excellence that have become his hallmark.

The name ‘Gouqi’ is inspired by the goji berry, synonymous with health and vitality. It mirrors the restaurant’s commitment to using premium, seasonal ingredients to craft flavours and dishes across China. The menu reflects Chef Tong’s culinary philosophy, blending traditional Chinese cooking techniques with contemporary innovation. It promises an exciting selection of dishes, including an extensive dim sum menu introduced in March, showcasing this traditional fare’s intricate beauty.

Gouqi’s interior design creates a refined and understated elegance. Low lighting, exquisite finishes, art from award-winning artists, and flower arrangements by Botanique Workshop characterize it. The restaurant features banquette seating and views of the kitchen. This helps elevate the dining experience into an intimate interaction with the culinary process. It also offers private dining options, boasting two rooms, The Ruby and The Crimson, for those seeking a more secluded ambience.

Gouqi Restaurant London Menu

The dining experience is meticulously curated, from the ice frozen to the bottom of cocktail glasses to prevent it from hitting guests in the face to duck-shaped chopstick rests and individually designed tableware. These thoughtful touches come from Gouqi’s philosophy where “the details are not the details. They make the design,” creating a setting that is as much an art installation as a dining venue.

Chef Tong Chee Hwee’s Gouqi celebrates Chinese culinary traditions reimagined for a contemporary audience. With its luxurious setting just off Trafalgar Square and a menu that promises to captivate and delight, Gouqi is poised to redefine fine dining in London and cement its place as one of the city’s most exciting new restaurants.

Gouqi Restaurant London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for Gouqi below.

Gouqi Restaurant London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine: Chinese

Dress Code: Casual

Area: Covent Garden

Address: 25-34 Cockspur St, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5BN

Website: https://gouqi-restaurants.co.uk/

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Shanghai Noir Restaurant Review: Old Shanghai Glamour in London’s New Indo-Chinese Brasserie

April 8, 2024 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

Shanghai Noir restaurant is a unique Indo-Chinese brasserie. It opened its doors in London this March, offering a blend of luxury and culinary innovation against the backdrop of 1930s Shanghai, known as “The Paris of the East.” The venue is located in the historic Old Westminster Fire Station. It draws inspiration from an era when Shanghai blended glamour, sin, and artistic innovation. It echoes the city’s allure with its Art Deco style, with Chinese materials like lacquer, ivory, local woods, and silks.

The restaurant aims to redefine Indo-Chinese cuisine. It comes from the collaboration between executive chef Amit Bagyal, with past affiliations to well-known restaurants such as Benares and Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, and head chef Velino Goes, also formerly of Kanishka and the JKS Group. The menu blends the sharp and spicy fusion flavors that have gained popularity in the US, with dishes ranging from black bean scallops and five-spiced beef with wild mushroom bao to more innovative creations like the Chef’s Selection featuring the world’s hottest chili, Bhot Jolakhiya, prepared with spatchcock chicken.

Cocktails at Shanghai Noir, by mixologist Nick Smith, complement the restaurant’s bold flavors. Signature serves include The Firecracker, a highball twist on the negroni, and The Shanghai, a fruity, aromatic margarita. Shanghai Noir’s ambition is to create an immersive dining experience that showcases the richness of Indo-Chinese cuisine and transports diners to a bygone era of unmatched elegance and decadence.

Shanghai Noir Restaurant London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for Shanghai Noir below.

Shanghai Noir Restaurant London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine: Indo-Chinese

Dress Code: Casual

Area: Westminster

Address: Old Westminster Fire Station, 4 Greycoat Pl, Greater, London SW1P 1SB

Website: https://www.shanghainoir.com/

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Niju Restaurant London Review: New Japanese Culinary Gem in Mayfair

April 6, 2024 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

London’s culinary scene welcomes a new addition with the opening of Niju restaurant. The Japanese grill and sushi bar is at 20 Berkeley Street in Mayfair. Niju marks a transition from its predecessor, a modern British restaurant, into a dining experience that draws closer to the culinary ethos of Endo Kazutoshi.

He is the famous chef behind the Michelin-starred Endo at the Rotunda, Sumi in Notting Hill, and the upcoming Whitehall restaurant Kioku by Endo. The Creative Restaurant Group, under the oversight of Kazutoshi as culinary director, aims to offer a unique “Katei Ryori” cooking style at Niju, which translates to “home-cooked food” in Japanese, promising an informal yet decadent dining experience.

Niju Restaurant London Menu

Niju will be helmed by Head Chef Chris Golding and Head Sushi Chef David Bury. He brings his expertise from Endo’s popular Notting Hill restaurant, Sumi. While the full menu details are yet to be disclosed, anticipation is high for the dishes Endo himself will add to the menu.

In addition to the restaurant, the venue’s 20-cover downstairs cocktail bar, Nipperkin, will continue to operate. It offers expertly crafted cocktails and a new addition of Japanese-influenced sando sandwiches.

The restaurant is part of a broader strategy by the Creative Restaurant Group, which also operates HUMO in Mayfair, which received its first Michelin star earlier this month. This move reflects the group’s ambition to build a high-end London restaurant portfolio. Niju is a flagship offering, combining traditional Japanese culinary practices with a contemporary dining ambiance.

With bookings already open, Niju is poised to become a must-visit for aficionados of Japanese cuisine. It is also the place to be for those looking for a unique dining experience in the heart of London.

Niju Restaurant London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for Niju below.

Niju Restaurant London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine: Japanese

Dress Code: Casual

Area: Mayfair

Address: 20 Berkeley St, London W1J 8EE

Website: https://nijulondon.com/

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Lita Restaurant Review: Flavors of the Mediterranean by Former Corrigan’s Chef

April 6, 2024 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

In a significant move that further elevates Marylebone’s standing in London’s culinary scene, Luke Ahearne, the former Head Chef at Corrigan’s Mayfair, has embarked on an exciting new venture with the opening of Lita restaurant.

This endeavor sees Ahearne team up with the minds behind the Wild Tavern in Chelsea and Canadian-born restaurateur Daniel Koukarskikh. Lita blends Ahearne’s culinary expertise with a vision to offer refined and relaxed dining experiences.

The warmth and nurturing spirit of a grandmother inspire Lita, and its name—a nod to the affectionate Spanish word ‘abuelita’—suggests that. The place charms diners with its produce-driven, seasonal menu that celebrates the flavors of the southern Mediterranean.

Lita Restaurant London Menu

The restaurant’s menu will emphasize the importance of seasonal produce. It will frequently change to reflect the best of what’s available regionally. This philosophy extends to its wine list, featuring an eclectic selection from small, biodynamic producers to well-established European wineries.

Lita’s design features an open kitchen space and an open fire grill. It aims to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a grand chateau kitchen. This setup allows for an interactive dining experience and underscores the restaurant’s transparency and the art of cooking with fire.

Meet Luke Ahearne

Luke Ahearne’s journey to opening Lita is marked by a notable career spanning some of the most prestigious kitchens in Ireland and London. Without formal cooking training initially, Ahearne honed his skills through hands-on experience. He started with a summer internship at Neven Maguire’s MacNean’s House & Restaurant in Cavan. At just 18, he moved on to run his father’s cafe in Clonmel. Later, he refined his craft at Garrett Byrne’s Campagne restaurant in Kilkenny.

His move to London brought him to The Clove Club, ranked 26th in the world at the time. Then, its sister restaurant Luca, before taking the helm at Corrigan’s Mayfair at 29.

Food enthusiasts keenly anticipate Lita’s opening in early March on Paddington Street in Marylebone. With 80 indoor seats and an additional 20 on its front terrace, it’s poised to become a new hotspot for those seeking an authentic and thoughtful dining experience.

Lita Restaurant London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for Lita below.

Lita Restaurant London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Dress Code: Casual

Area: Marylebone

Address: 7-9 Paddington St, London W1U 5QH

Website: https://litamarylebone.com/

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Rucola at The Conduit Restaurant Review: A New Eco-Conscious Experience in Covent Garden

March 26, 2024 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

Rucola is a Brooklyn-origin restaurant now atop the Conduit Club in Covent Garden. The venue introduces an eco-conscious dining experience that melds sustainability with Italian culinary traditions. Set against London views, Rucola is open to members and non-members, offering a refreshing take on plant-based dishes. Easy-going Brooklyn vibes inspire the restaurant’s ambiance. It features an animated open kitchen and a central bar, creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests.

The culinary philosophy at Rucola emphasizes sustainability, with a menu that focuses on plant-led plates and utilizes low-carbon emission ingredients. Handmade pasta and focaccia are among the offerings.

The venue has established a collaboration with award-winning expert Henry Rich, known for his work in neutral carbon operations and zero waste practices. Rich, who founded the original Rucola in Brooklyn, brings his expertise in creating a wine list that pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s ethos, featuring a selection of classic and natural wines made with minimal intervention.

Sustainable cocktails complement the menu, inviting guests to enjoy innovative mixes that stimulate conversation and thought. Rucola also embraces zero-waste practices by designing menus to reduce waste and recycle as much as possible, aiming for net carbon neutrality by offsetting unavoidable carbon emissions.

Rucola’s strategic location within The Conduit—a venue known for its commitment to social and environmental impact—enhances its appeal to those interested in sustainable dining within an urban oasis. The restaurant’s opening hours cater to both early and late diners, with special provisions for live entertainment on certain days. This new venture is a testament to the evolving landscape of London’s culinary scene, where sustainability, innovation, and tradition converge to offer a unique dining experience.