Yming

The finish at this Chinese restaurant just off Shaftesbury Avenue suggests it's trying to do something a little more refined than many of its Chinatown brethren. The royal-blue and aquamarine interior is smartly dressed European-style, with white linen and wine glasses. The menu is mainly Cantonese, with a few eclectic regional dishes added.

That means a menu ranging from sesame prawn toast, dry-spiced spare ribs and soft-shell crab to wonton soups, shredded duck with ginger, Mongolian lamb, Sichuan prawns and empress beef, slow-cooked with herbs, spices and a hint of star anise. Pancake wraps prove popular.

Keep an eye out for good-value set menus, specials and even dishes created especially for loyal customers.