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23rd March 2022
It’s Tuesday evening and I’m heading to Mayfair for dinner at Park Chinois. I have heard a lot about this restaurant, so I am super excited to experience it for myself. Inspired by the French rococo period with decadent Chinoiserie, Park Chinois is glitzy and glamorous. With the sumptuous red drapes, cosy sofa seating for two, tasselled lampshades and sultry lighting, Park Chinois immediately transports you to a dazzling 21st century Mayfair version of a 1930s Shanghai speakeasy.
When we arrived, the restaurant was already buzzing with couples and groups of friends enjoying live jazz, sipping cocktails and tucking into some delicious looking food. The interior is so unashamedly flamboyant that after we were seated, I just needed a moment to soak it all up. Sexy low lighting and plush seats create an intimate atmosphere that works just as well for a romantic date, but there were also work colleagues and families enjoying an evening together.
As we tried to decide on what to eat, I was totally taken in by the live jazz which created such a lovely atmosphere in the room. We started with a cocktail and I opted for the Moulin Rouge, which felt rather fitting. It consisted of Haku Japanese Vodka, Rhubarb, Lavender, Raspberry and Citrus and was totally gorgeous. My husband had the Negroni de la maison which was a mix of Roku Gin, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Campari and a House Blend of Herbs & Spices. The menu was large and it all sounded delicious, so we asked our waiter to help us by picking his favourite dishes. He was incredibly knowledgeable about each dish and we felt safe in his choices.
It was a very different restaurant experience sitting next to each other on the cosy velvet sofas, listening to jazz and sipping cocktails - but I was extremely romantic and I was looking forward to the food arriving.
Our first two dishes to arrive were the chef’s selection of Dim Sum, Har Gau, Scampi Shumai, Scallop & Chive Dumpling and Winter Black Truffle Dumpling and the Slow Roasted Ibérico Pork Rack of Ribs and both were sensational. I think I had more than my fair share of the pork, it was so tasty and I couldn’t stop eating it! For mains we enjoyed the Grilled Black Cod, Grapefruit, Pomelo, Lemon King Soya and the Crispy Satay Chicken, Tamarind with Peanut Sauce. The food was exceptional and we enjoyed every mouthful. Sadly I was so full I couldn’t eat anything more than the sorbet for dessert. The restaurant is split across two floors, you can enjoy dinner in Salon de Chine then head downstairs to the Wave Bar for a cocktail and the evening’s live entertainment in Club Chinois.
I really loved the theatre that this restaurant delivered, with the addition of amazing food, tasty cocktails and good service.
