My arms were being twisted when asked to pop for dim sum on a Sunday lunch at the majestic Asia de Cuba restaurant last Sunday. It was difficult trying to convince my italian husband to even think about eating asian food on a Sunday, especially after my burying the idea of ‘Sunday equals Roast’ in his head, for the last however many years. Still, we are both open minded souls and so off we went.
I haven’t been in the St Martins Lane Hotel for years (not sure I wanted to remember the last time either!) but it is is still as stunning as ever and if you haven’t been at all, it’s a must just to see the phenomenal Phillip Stark decor. It still manages to create a warm, buzzy and not-so-cliquey atmosphere which lures you in and makes you want to stay all day…and all night!
The menu includes sharing plates of classic dim sum with a modern edge for example, steamed seabass dunplings, passion fruit ponzo, tiger prawn potsticker and double-wrapped lobster shu mai as well as “Chino-Latino” cocktails. Now, I love my Bloody Mary on a Sunday but the house Spiced Mango Cocktail was a welcome alternative. In fact, I couldn’t stop drinking them! Ahem.
We started with ceviche which melted away in seconds on my tongue, we then went through the dim sum like there was no tomorrow and finished our meal with an array of absolutely beautiful desserts that quite frankly, were just too good-looking to eat!
We arrived at 12.30 and left around 3.00 but I promise you, the only thing that got us moving was a prior engagement. We could have sat and drank, ate more and listened to the Cuban Band for hours. It’s the perfect way to spend a relaxing Sunday and a fabulous journey for the tastebuds!
Phone:020 7300 5588
Station: London Charing Cross