The Dorchester,
Park Lane,
Mayfair,
London,
W1K 1QA
0871 971 3579
The ViewLondon Review
Nestled within the underbelly of one of London’s veteran hotels, China Tang is amongst the glossiest of London Chinese restaurants, combining the high quality service for which The Dorchester is renowned with the slickness associated with David Shanghai Tang.The VenueThe kind of place where nothing is too much trouble, everyone is looked after at this restaurant, from business lunchers to solo diners and families of twelve. Redolent of the old world glamour of the star restaurants of Hong Kong, despite the attractive Chinoise touches, there’s still something quintessentially British about China Tang. Maybe it's the white tablecloths, the positioning or the feel of everything being just so, but it's a comfortable and sophisticated mix of British and Chinese cultures.
The AtmosphereChina Tang has a magical air about it that induces audible excitement in its diners. It justly deserves its reputation as one of the capital's must-visit restaurants and its popularity with homegrown supermodels like Kate Moss has merely cemented its celebrity appeal. A night out here is like stepping into the pages of Grazia magazine.
The FoodOrnately carved screens shelter larger parties, while smaller ones take centre stage in the large, square room. You won't find even a hint of MSG on the menu. Food is mesmeric, the dim sum to die for: ever so delicate and beautifully presented, matched against dishes such as deep-fried crab claws stuffed with shrimp mousse. Even matches come on old school strikers.
The DrinkThere's an intimate holding bar to the side, delightful bird cages hanging from the ceiling and stunning antiques, China Tang is a luxurious affair. If you're a cocktail fan this is the place to come. More unusual creations include the Filthy Martini (Miller's Gin or Ketel One vodka stirred with silver skin onion juice), the Pisco Sour (La Diablada Pisco, lemon juice, sugar and an optional egg white), the Bullshot (Ketel One vodka, beef consomme, lemon juice and spices) to the ultimate Banana Daiquiri (Havana Club 7 year old rum, fresh lime juice and banana, creme de banane).
The Last WordChina Tang is without a shadow of a doubt one of the finest Chinese restaurants in London. The fact that on any given night you may be dining in the same room as Kate Moss, David Beckham, Natalie Imbruglia, Sadie Frost and David Walliams is merely a delicious perk.