Time Out rating:
<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
Time Out says
Fri Sep 17 2010
Stretching from Hoxton to World’s End, Will Ricker’s pan-Asian empire may have become formulaic over the years – but what a formula. Each restaurant offers an appealing mix of dim sum, salads, tempura, sushi, curries and proteins such as miso-marinated black cod and Korean-style barbecue chicken.
The vibe is sexy enough for a date, yet also appeals to families. Children love the shareability of pan-Asian food, and their parents are supported with a serious bar (destinations in their own right) and even kiddie party-planning services.
Cocktails are a big draw; the lengthy list of tropical herb, fruit and floral flavours partnered by good spirits includes intrigues such as the Osaka Cyclone and Mekong Fizz. Alternatively, there’s a choice of draught beers, including Asahi, and an international wine selection with 175ml glasses starting at around £4.
What’s not to like? Well, the cooking rarely hits the heights the prices do, but the disarmingly friendly service from hipster staff helps compensate. Then there’s the satisfying sense that (at E&O, at least), you’ve dined and drank among the cool crowd; it’s a tribute to Ricker’s slick operation that they’ve kept coming back for so long.
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