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Hakkasan (∗∗∗)

Address:8 Hanway Place, London W1T 1HD
Tel:084 4858 0682
Email:
Website: Visit Hakkasan website
Price: £66.00Wine: £26.00 Champagne: £56.00
Opening Hours:Mon-Sun 12N-3.15pm (Sat-Sun -4.30pm) Mon-Sat 6-11.30pm (Thurs-Sat -12.30pm)

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Oozing the kind of sex appeal that ‘makes you feel alive’, Hakkasan can be confident of its place among London’s elite restaurants. Yes, the kitchen has a Michelin star, but punters flock here for more than exquisite ‘modern authentic’ Cantonese cuisine. As much about fashion as gastronomy, the glamorous subterranean dining room is imbued with a sultry vibe that’s enhanced by moody indigo lighting & is best suited to night-time, or ‘lunch on dark winter days’. Dine on dazzling lunchtime dim sum (steamed king crab noodle wrap, say, or crispy smoked duck & pumpkin puff) or equally thrilling dishes from the carte. Jasmine tea-smoked pork ribs have a sweet, subtle smokiness, while silky roasted silver cod in syrupy Champagne & Chinese honey sauce is a sensual delight. Even desserts are exquisite: imagine muscovado cake offset by ginger ice cream. Knowledgeable staff can come across as ‘arrogant’, prices eye-watering & the two-hour time limit an irritation, but these are ‘small minuses in an army of pluses’. Don’t miss a lychee martini at the seductive long bar.

Wine List: Wine buyer Christine Parkinson has created an innovative, food-focused gem of a list. Wines are put through a rigorous tasting panel & listed under quirky headings such as ‘Harmony’ or ‘Curious Vines’ – which could easily be confusing but is not. It’s worth taking advice from staff on matching with food. Best Buy White 2008 Kerner, Valle Isarco, Alto Adige, Italy, £32. Best Buy Red 2007 El Curato Joven Tinto, Bodega Cillar de Silos, Ribera del Duero, Spain, £38.

Hakkasan Location:

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Reader reviews of Hakkasan:

Read all 15 reader reviews for this restaurant
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Wendy C.
Reviews: 1

Wendy C. ( Over 60, Female )

Food and service was fantastic and all staff friendly and welcoming towards us and towards our 2 month old baby. With none of the perceived snobbery of a top restaurant. Dishes were full of flavour favourite starter was jasmine tea smoked pork ribs, the meat fell off the bone, delicious. Silver cod in seafood “hotpot” was wonderful.

4 March 2010
Overall:8
Food and Drink:9
Service:9
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:8
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Foodess
Gold Reviewer

Foodess ( 50s, Female, United Kingdom )

The Hakkasan experience blew that of Ming Jiang out of the water. It would not matter were the décor and ambience bland (which it obviously isn’t) because the food borders on the magnificent. I have never tasted such wonderful soft shell crab. Singapore noodles were a sensation as was the Welsh Black beef. I fail to discern which my favourite dish was, but were a gun at my head, I think I would not hesitate to elect Jasmine tea smoked chicken. Service was acceptable and fortunately we were saved from our own enthusiasm by an astute waiter who pointed out that we’d ordered enough – he was right as we left totally replete, but already contemplating our next possible date to return.

21 February 2010
Overall:8
Food and Drink:9
Service:6
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:8
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Pa C.

Pa C. ( 30s, Male )

I am going to keep this review short, like the restaurants table policy – overated, overpriced and over the hill. £400 for 3 people for a table from 7.30-9.30 that we almost got physiclaly removed from is not good value. With the vast choices available in London nowadays and in the present climate go somewhere else instead.

30 December 2009
Overall:5
Food and Drink:7
Service:5
Atmosphere:7
Value for Money:1
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Patrick B.
Gold Reviewer

Patrick B. ( Male )

Hakkasan is all it is made out to be. Few places make as lasting an impression as this interesting space in a side street in Soho. I was quite sceptical that the high standarts would persists after Alain Yau sold Hakkasan, but it is almost unchanged.

9 November 2009
Overall:8
Food and Drink:8
Service:6
Atmosphere:10
Value for Money:6
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MD
Gold Reviewer

MD ( 20s, Female, London )

Editor's pick

If your visiting Hakkasan anytime soon then do one thing – catch up with your fellow diner/s beforehand as once you enter the basement restaurant you'll be too busy people watching and being generally astounded to speak to them until the bill arrives. Entering Hakkasan is like entering a secret uber world, with the backstage buzz of a fashion show together with the ambience of a sleek and very exclusive members club. You want to be here and you love every minute, particularly the minutes that fly by as you read the ample menu.

I was glad to see that style (fantastic though it is) is not above substance here and there were a few dilemmas on choosing the right dish and sides, but nothing the friendly and knowledgable waiting staff can't help you out with. On the advice of a friend I went with the infamous silver cod with champagne and honey – what a delight. Interestingly unlike most hyped restautrants at Hakkasan portion size does not have an inverse relationship to price and the cod came as two generous fillets. Vegetarian options were also aplenty with… More

27 August 2009
Overall:8
Food and Drink:8
Service:8
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:8
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Frederic C.
Reviews: 1

Frederic C. ( 40s, Male, United Kingdom )

A very good restaurant, still very booked in the current economic environment so they must be doing something right. Spectacular atmosphere, dark and exotic and always really busy, with constant food and service. The only downside is the price…

8 May 2009
Overall:8
Food and Drink:8
Service:8
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:6
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Oleksiy O.

Oleksiy O. ( 20s, Male, London )

The food was trully delicious, especially the Seabass in black miso. Dim sum however was a bit disappointing and lacked flavour. The place is quite noisy in the evenings,so not the best choice for a romantic dinner. The other inconvenience is that the tables are rather close to each other, so you intimacy is somewhat ruined by people unwillingly able to hear your conversations.

January 2009
Overall:8
Food and Drink:8
Service:8
Atmosphere:6
Value for Money:6
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MissSushi
Gold Reviewer

MissSushi ( 30s, Female, London&Paris )

The food at Hakkasan has been very good and consistent for years and the atmosphere always buzzy. Admittedly the location has put me off previously a couple times from going more often (nowhere to park, difficult to get a taxi) but that's irrelevant. I have only one more thing to add to all these positive reviews: try the silver cod in honey & champagne, it melts in your mouth.

January 2009
Overall:8
Food and Drink:9
Service:8
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:7
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SilverSurferS5

SilverSurferS5 ( 30s, Male, London )

Editor's pick

This restaurant is currently my favourite. I find comments like, “2 hour limits being irritating” to be IRRITATING! Why would anyone want to spend over 2 hours in any restaurant? You could not possibly eat for such a period of time unless your stomach(s) is/are (a) bottomless pit(s)! Try to understand, it is a busy place, they want to serve as many people as they can and I think they do so very well. Service is not just good, it is outstanding, the waiters are helpful and ooze class – they know what they are doing, they know what they are talking about and they ALWAYS get you what you actually want. It is dark inside, yes, but your table will be well lit and your food will not only arrive promptly, it will be cooked and presented to a standard of sheer excellence.
Parking is hard to find, though they do a very good Valet service which you are charged a very reasonable £10 for. The location isn't ideal, to be frank, it is located within a one-way labyrinth of narrow roads in the sort of place you'd probably expect to find a rat-infested cafe rather than a… More

November 2008
Overall:9
Food and Drink:9
Service:10
Atmosphere:9
Value for Money:9
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R.R.Gill
Gold Reviewer

R.R.Gill ( 30s, Male, United Kingdom )

Editor's pick

Hakksan has been a favourite of mine for years – very lively and buzzy (sometimes too much) I always book for the Ling Ling area as I find it to be so much more spacious, comfortable and a little less loud. With regards to the food I don't think I've ever had a disappointing dish but do in honesty tend to stick to similar dishes that I know I'll enjoy. Pricewise it is expensive especially if your brain decides to let your stomach order as it is easy to order too much and therefore overspend. I'd also suggest trying (I'm sure they still do it) the special Peking Duck & Caviar menu for a special treat – it's very expensive and needs to be pre-ordered 24 hours in advance but it's oh so good and definitely a good option for a special occasion.

October 2008
Overall:9
Food and Drink:9
Service:8
Atmosphere:9
Value for Money:8
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