Dim Sumthing Special In The City
| 3rd April 2016
By Leila Stocker
Having opened last May, traditional dim sum eatery Yauatcha City in Broadgate Circle is London’s second Yauatcha, following the success of its Michelin-starred sister venue in Soho.
VIVA was lucky to dine last week on its all-day dining experience, feasting on steamed, grilled and fried dim sum dishes.
With two bars, two spacious outside terraces and a large main dining area, the 7,220 sq ft space seats 198, boasting aquariums, starlit ceilings, visible kitchens and the blue and pink palette that’s become synonymous with the restaurant. Ever stylish, its female managers and Maitre D wear exquisite dresses designed by Diane von Furstenberg.
The menu at Yauatcha City embodies the Chinese dim sum teahouse concept, where friends and family gather to catch up over dim sum, wok dishes, tea and cocktails.
Our plates proved to be authentic Cantonese, yet with a modern influence. Notable were the scallop shui mai, venison puffs, prawn cheung fun and crispy duck rolls. And our sesame prawn toasts, which were rounded and crisp, surpassed any greasy rectangular toasts we had ever previously encountered. Pork and preserved egg congee was a delightful surprise. Mains of Kung pao chicken with cashew nut and Stir-fry Penang kwetio noodle with prawn, scallop and peanut didn’t disappoint either.
Drinks-wise, cocktail lovers will rejoice at the restaurant’s oriental-style menu of eight. Not personally a cocktail fan, my companion assured me the signature Cha la lai (Belvedere, black grapes, oolong tea, apple juice and Champagne) and Hakka (Belvedere, Akashi-tai sake, lychee juice, lime, coconut and passion fruit) were both delicate, yet balanced.
Yauatcha City also offers 38 types of tea and a standalone Yauatcha Patisserie, offering an array of macarons, petits gateaux and chocolates. Our chocolate pebble pud, intricately crafted from Alto el sol single origin dark chocolate, Brownie and caramelised white chocolate, was a work of art.
Yauatcha City at Broadgate Circle EC2 is open Monday to Saturday for lunch, dinner and drinks, midday – 11:30pm.