Yauatcha, Feb 2013

We’ve been to Yauatcha on numerous occasions and always left very satisfied customers. We particularly like to go for Sunday lunch when there is a more mellow vibe and there tend to be less flashy uber-hipsters hanging around the bar. However, we’ve not paid Yauatcha a visit since super restaurant-operator Alan Yau parted ways with one of his crown jewels (he’s the Yau in Yauatcha).

 

When we visit Yauatcha we tend to stay away from the steamed dim sum (not a big fan) and the main dishes (too expensive for what you get). Instead we like to concentrate on the fried dim sum and smaller dishes that are perfect for sharing. We particularly like the cheung fun dishes, salads and congee at Yauatcha….oh and don’t get me started on the desserts…I wish I could order a bucket full of desserts, but that would raise too many eye-brows, or would it?

 

During our latest visit to Yauatcha we tried the following dishes:

• Prawn and bean curd cheung fun (9.5/10)
• Fried chilli squid (9/10)
• Crispy duck salad (9/10)
• Roasted duck pumkin puff (8.5/10)
• Venison puff (9/10)
• Almond fish cake (8/10)
• Pork and preserved egg congee (8.5/10)
• Blue swimmer crab salad (6.5/10)
• Raspberry delice (9.5/10)
• Apple Blackberry choux (8/10)
• Fig mascarpone (8/10)
• Sticky toffee (8/10)
• Jasmine honey (8/10)

 

As far as Chinese cuisine in London goes, Yauatcha occupies the top-end of the range. Even without the involvement of Alan Yau (the place is now fully owned by the Hakkasan group), the place will rock your socks off. Standards have slipped a bit and there is a bit less attention to detail, but it is all still pretty damn good.

 

The total bill at Yauatcha came to £165 (including service charge, 2 bottles of water and 2 pots of Jasmine tea).

 

Food rating for Yauatcha: 8.5/10

Service rating for Yauatcha: 7.5/10

Overall rating for Yauatcha: 8/10

(Overall rating is based on personal taste, opinion of the ambiance and price)