Glamorous Min Jiang has become well known amongst foodies for its Bejing duck, but for something a bit filling the bar is well worth a visit.

The Venue
Located on the 10th floor of the famous Royal Garden Hotel, Min Jiang is accessible from a lift in the hotel’s lobby. Once through the entranceway, the restaurant is towards the left whilst the bar is on the right. Whilst the restaurant area’s decor consists of dark red walls, black and white photos and large shelves, the bar area is a bit simpler, making the view the star of the show. Rows of tables with low, cushy armchairs span the length of the windows in the bar area, making it incredibly easy to lapse into a comfortable silence and enjoy the view over Hyde Park. During the day you can oversee the busy comings and goings of Londoners buzzing around Hyde Park, whilst at night the sparkling lights twinkle in the distance.

The Atmosphere
Before diners get to grips with Bejing duck etiquette in the restaurant, they head to the bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. But the bar is a destination in its own right as well, no doubt helped by the spectacular views, but also by the creative cocktail list and dim sum menu. Expect well dressed couples canoodling in the sofas and armchairs amongst groups of friends and businessmen entertaining clients – it’s an older, glamorous crowd that lives up to the hotel’s exclusive reputation.

The Food
The bar’s dim sum menu includes over 20 choices of dishes, from familiar choices like veggie dumplings (£3.90) to more unusual options such as steamed pumpkin dumpling with mixed seafood (£4.50). Steamed crab meat dumplings (£4.50) are a good choice; served incredibly hot (it’s best to nibble at the edges or wait a few minutes for it to cool down), the silky dumpling pastry encases a good portion of sweet, well textured crab meat. Steamed pork and prawn siu mai (£3.90) are a pretty pale orange colour, the pastry appropriately crinkled on top, and filled with a succulent mix of minced pork and prawns. Other options besides steamed dumplings include crispy Beijing duck rolls (£4.20), wrapped up tightly in a thin, crisp shell that’s not too flaky. The duck meat inside is well cooked and rich, a great match for the accompanying tangy sweet chilli sauce. For those with a sweet tooth, dessert-style choices are available including steamed egg custard buns (£3.90) and egg custard tarts (£3.60).

The Drink
The bar’s cocktail list features Champagne cocktails, Martini cocktails and long cocktails, priced between £6.50 and £11.50. The Red Lotus (£8.50), made with vodka, lychee liqueur and cranberry juice) is a sweet, refreshing cocktail that’s not too sugary thanks to the sharp kick of cranberry juice. Other interesting choices include a Chilli Caipirinha (cachaca, chilli infused rum, lime and sugar) and an Oriental Mojito (lime, watermelon, sugar, mint, rum and ginger ale), whilst classics such as Cosmopolitans and Bellinis are also available.

A shortened version of the restaurant’s wine list is on offer at the bar, although you can order from the full wine list as well if you’d like. Fourteen choices by the glass range from £4.75 (Merlot, Vin de Pays D’Oc, Baron Philippe De Rothschild) to £11 (Terrazas Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, Mendoza from Argentina). A glass of Canard-Duchene Brut Champagne costs £10.

If you’re not up for alcohol there’s a selection of teas available, from the traditional green tea (three varieties, from £3.20) and oolong tea (four varieties, from £3.80) to two different types of flowering varieties (£4.70) to a tea infusion made with wild chrysanthemum seeds (£3).

The Last Word
With great views, a varied dim sum menu and an interesting cocktail list, the bar at Min Jiang is well worth a visit in its own right.

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