Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Regent Street and head to Cocoon, where you’ll be enveloped by the sophisticated atmosphere, soothed by the chic decor and revitalised by the tantalising food and drinks until you’re ready to face the world again.

The Venue
A stone’s throw away from the brazen lights of Piccadilly Circus, Cocoon is the perfect haven to contrast the chaos of the area. Step inside and the muted greys with flashes of bright red will signal you entering into a much less concrete world. As you let the polite staff take your coats and you wander upstairs, the real style of Cocoon slowly comes into focus.

The decor has been kept modern and fresh with a few seductive qualities to keep the mood balanced. The neutral palette of white, pale green and taupe is the foundation of most of the wall colouring, keeping the place well lit and refreshing. The walls are padded, whilst windows are covered with chiffon-like curtains, adding soft textures making the whole restaurant seem comfortable and smooth. The large ceiling lights are a beautiful deep purple, adding a good dose of bright colour that suits the sophisticated tone of the place. But the prettiest part of the decor is the rose petal tables that are a gorgeous rich red and pink and create a heady romantic feel that echoes the exotic nature of Asia. With a lounge area, a few bright orange bars and many well placed seating areas, there is plenty of space to keep diners feeling relaxed.

The Atmosphere
Cocoon cleverly caters for all manners of ambience, meaning that you are guaranteed a good mood. The bar areas are sparkling and animated, with after work crowds ordering sophisticated cocktails or good friends treating themselves to some Champagne. In the dining areas, all the tables are round, meaning however large your group may be, the social atmosphere is kept alive throughout the evening. The comfy retro leather chairs allow you to lean back and properly relax, creating your own little cocoon where you can enjoy your meal without feeling like the table next to you is shouting in your ear. The clientele are mostly well dressed but not overdone, and the age varies from twenties to forties, creating a mixed ambience that’s the perfect balance between energetic and relaxed. The staff are very efficient at being attentive without disturbing your meal in any way, which only adds to the stress-free feel.

The Food
Many restaurants in London call their food Pan Asian, and it’s not exactly seen as a radical idea anymore. However Cocoon’s menu is a blend of Chinese, Japanese and Thai influences and the extensive choice of dishes are inventive and complex, with a strong fusion of modern quality and Asian flavours, creating a dining experience that’s a little bit different. Starting your meal with some crunchy salty edamame beans is the ideal way to get you ready to order. The sushi selection is impressive, encompassing all the favourites such as unagi (sea eel) and sake (salmon) and the prices vary from £3 to £16.50 depending on the seafood chosen and the way it’s prepared. The special fatty tuna nigri, which is seared with a blowtorch, sounds exciting and unique but unfortunately turns out to be a bit of an anticlimax. The richness of the fatty tuna comes through, yet as the fish has been slightly cooked it loses its extremely fresh quality. However, this would be a perfect for those who fear raw fish. The kani kara sushi roll has a lovely combination of textures from the delicate soft shell crab with a hint of spices, the crunch of the crab tempura and the freshness of the cucumber - a well rounded sushi roll.

The starters come in at £3.50 to £7 and include a good mixture of classic, well known dishes such as crispy duck roll and sesame prawn toast, plus creative dishes like steamed scallop sui mai and oxtail potstickers. The beef and foie gras gyoza are such an indulgent treat. The richness of the beef combined with the creamy depth of flavour in the fois gras is exquisite and the delicate pastry with the light honey infused teriyaki has the right blend of sweet and sour which complements the powerful meat flavour well.

For a light main there are plenty of mouthwatering salads and sashimi salads on offer, but for something more substantial there is an interesting array of dishes to suit all tastes varying from £14 to £65. The sizzling wagyu beef on hot volcanic rocks is a delicious choice and it will definitely satisfy anyone who knows anything about good meat. The dish arrives literally sizzling on hot rocks which is a nice presentation touch. The beef is cooked until medium rare, and the texture is such that it falls apart in your mouth. The succulent, juicy beef is well-combined with the delicate sweet sauce that brings out the sweetness of the meat rather than overpowering it. For seafood fans the Malaccan style lobster is also a treat, with perfectly cooked fresh lobster and an interesting combination of spices that are an interesting blend of sour and salty.

The desserts range from £7 to £23 (for a selection) and the Asian influence is still evident. The chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream is heavenly, with the rich, oozing chocolate centre and the moist cake combined with simple, creamy vanilla ice cream. For the Asian twist, a small pot of sharp fruit cream served with it adds a refreshing quality to the richness. The selection of Asian infused chocolates is very rich so make sure you share it, but the quality is wonderful. With ingredients such as hazelnuts and dark chocolate, white chocolate and lemon, coconut and sugared rose petal, there’s not that much to dislike about these small little treats.

Cocoon has also recently introduced a lunchtime option where you can pre-order a bento box in advance, which will be ready to eat by the time you get to the restaurant. It costs £15 for a bento box with a pot of green or jasmine tea, miso soup and ice cream or sorbet for dessert.

The Drink
The cocktails at Cocoon are definitely worth trying, with an extensive list of unique combinations and a great use of fresh ingredients, for around £10 any cocktail lover would be impressed. The Jasmine Fizz is a delicious Oriental version of a typical Champagne cocktail, with passion fruit pulp and jasmine topped with Champagne, creating a lovely aroma and a refreshing fruity taste. The Cherry Blossom Bellini has a strong depth with amaretto and Champagne combined with red grapes and creme du mure for a more powerfully flavoured cocktail that’s just as easily drinkable. The wine list is extremely varied with a good selection of red, white and Champagne offered by the glass as well as a dazzling array of sake which is certainly worth trying if you want a truly authentic Asian experience. The prices can vary from £20 to £890 so there is enough choice to suit most budgets.

The Last Word
If you appreciate superb Asian food in a sophisticated, contemporary setting, then Cocoon is the perfect place to escape from day to day drudgery and lift your spirits with some sashimi and sake.

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