Hakuba: ‘Japanese food with Californian influences...’
I'm going to leave you with that statement.I know, I know, you’re all probably thinking - not another restaurant serving Asian food with ‘WESTERN’ influences!? Countless times I've been left rather unimpressed with restaurants that deem to be able to ‘infuse’ Asian flavours with a ‘Western’ twist; and I usually try to avoid such places that claim they can inject the 'contemporary' into Asian food. Simply because, the food is often bland, over-cooked, and a Frankenstein of the original dish.Playing it safe, I ordered the teriyaki chicken served on a bed of wasabi mash, and a side of rice and miso soup. I'm going to assume that serving teriyaki chicken on top of mash makes it 'Western.' *insert bemused face*
Okay, maybe I'm just being harsh due to my previous experiences.
But I have to admit, the teriyaki sauce was thick, sticky and caramelised; beautifully accompanying the generous portion of tender chicken. So tender, the juices were dying to escape. The wasabi mash, only had a hint of wasabi, and was abit 'lumpy.' However, this little speed bump, did not deter from the flavours from the overall dish.
£8.50, for the generous portions and quality of the chicken make this place a steal.
Dessert: Green tea melt-in-the-middle chocolate pudding with green tea icecream
For dessert, I just had to try the green tea melt-in-the-middle chocolate pudding with green tea ice cream. I have a weakness for green tea, and boy this did not disappoint. Cased in a green tea crispy outer crust, with hot oozing green-tea chocolate in the middle accompanied with wait-for-it that's right green tea ice cream. This is the perfect dessert for green-tea addicts.
They also have a delicious cocktail menu, with a range of cocktails with oriental influences, so think of a vast array cocktails composed with flavours of lychees, limes, guava, spices etc. All having a kick to it, and all absolutely addictive.The sumptuous, rich, decadent decor, make this place ideal for dates, or just a place for friends to gather; so if you go - do ask for a booth!
I will definitely return to sample the other dishes from their new menu.
Hakuba earns itself 7/10 Yummei's.
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Since I've written this review I've gone back a couple of times, and every time I return the portions get smaller, my pictures before depict a feast, but now the portions are minuscule bite size portions, and the prices raised.
The sushi here is one of the worst I have tasted, the rice is soggy and looks like it has been squeezed so hard the rice has become mushy.
This place has been reduced to a 4/10 Yummei rating.
Where?
Hakuba
111a Great Russell StreetLondon WC1B 3NQ