Park Chinois, Mayfair

Park Chinois is Alan Yau’s latest opening (he’s the bloke who recently brought us Babaji Pide and Duck&Rice) and it’s a real stunner of a restaurant. I’ve neither been to Shanghai nor lived in the 20s but I imagine this is exactly what it’s like. Everything about the place exudes opulence, from the two doormen, the fireplace by the reception desk and the live band … Continue reading Park Chinois, Mayfair

Babaji, Shaftesbury Avenue

Isn’t Alan Yau a busy chap? He’s about to open Park Chinois in Mayfair, he’s got Duck&Rice in Soho doing a roaring trade and now, after a long closure due to an electrical fire, Babaji has reopened. It’s a Turkish restaurant specialising in pide, a boat shaped Turkish pizza. We were seated downstairs by the open kitchen with views from the large windows down Shaftesbury Avenue – … Continue reading Babaji, Shaftesbury Avenue

Princi, Soho

On the left hand side of Princi there’s a restaurant serving pizzas cooked in a wood-fire oven and on the right a cafe which is always absolutely packed. This Italian cafe was originally created by Rocco Princi who already has a successful chain of cafes in Milan but was brought over here by Alan Yaou who owns Hakkasan, Yauatcha and Busaba Eathai to name but … Continue reading Princi, Soho