Tucked away in the five-star Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars, you’ll find Chinese Cricket Club – an elevated restaurant offering a generous menu of intriguing Chinese dishes.
Writer Alissa Stroud picks up the chopsticks to share more:
Just off the hustle and bustle of a busy London road, as soon as you step foot inside you’re transported to tranquillity thanks to the neutral and serene colour palette.
Light, bright and airy, throughout the space artwork depicting calligraphy can be seen adorning the walls whilst large lantern lights add a touch of mood lighting. The design is minimalist yet contemporary and stylish.
The Food & Drink
I always find it hard to resist crispy duck pancakes when faced with a Chinese, so true to form, we ordered the half-smoked Peking duck to share and it was a seriously indulgent treat.
Quite possibly the most beautifully presented duck I’ve ever had, it was theatrically placed on the table with a smoke-filled cloche that was slowly lifted to reveal a mound of thick slices of duck, each piece glistening with a crisp layer of outrageously flavourful skin.
Alongside your usual sliced spring onions and cucumber, strips of sweet pineapple were on offer to complete your perfect pancake and they worked a treat – the fresh sweetness cutting through the rich and smoky duck meat.
To follow, at our waiter’s recommendation we tried to Golden Fish Gow – soft folds of delicate dumpling casing housing fish, monkfish and prawn, and folded to look like a goldfish. Placed in a delicate clear broth, the overall effect was not only charming but delicious, with a good meaty bite of seafood and well balanced flavours.
Another recommendation, we tried the Pear Dumpling – chicken, shrimp and bamboo shoots piled into a sticky rice case and – you guessed it – shaped like a pear. The sticky rice gave the exterior a lovely chewy texture that was ever so slightly sweet whilst the insides were bursting with rich umami flavour – a truly unique dish unlike any other dim sum I’ve had before.
For mains, we opted for crispy sea bass with a sticky sweet and sour sauce. The fish was cooked well with a lovely crisp exterior, and the sauce had the perfect balance of complementing the fish yet not overpowering it. Sides of fried rice and shanghai noodles were good too though perhaps lacked some of the visual theatrics and unique innovation of the other dishes.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Overall, the duck and the dim sum were the stars of the show. If we were to return – which we happily would thanks to the warm and friendly service, relaxed atmosphere and tasty fare – I think we’d focus in on the small plates as there were numerous dishes that caught our eye.
Given its location and the general vibe, Chinese Cricket Club would be perfect for a business lunch or dinner, or if you opt for the smaller plates – great for a group of friends who like to share!
Make it happen
Where: 19 New Bridge St, London EC4V 6DB
How: Find out more and make a booking via hyattrestaurants.com
Words by Alissa Stroud, freelance writer
