Chino Latino at the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel

This sultry, dimly lit bar-restaurant on the ground floor of the Park Plaza hotel is definitely more ‘Chino’ than ‘Latino’. The menu incorporates fashionable dishes from Japan, plus occasional Thai & Vietnamese offerings, while the supposedly ‘Latin’ bar serves creditable cocktails from across the globe. Fish & seafood dominate; highlights include tender spicy squid encased in a crispy crumb, grease-free prawn tempura & sinfully rich black cod. The tasting menu for two includes all three dishes, plus several dim sum, small plates, sides & sushi, from which soft-shell crab nigiri stands out. Add various sakés (including unusual Champagne-style numbers), friendly staff & a low-level buzz from fellow diners & you’ve the makings of a good night out. On Thursdays, live music in the bar brings the missing Latin note.