China Tang London

Luxury hotel Chinese fine dining

Steamed Dover Sole

When you think of the luxury Dorchester hotel in Mayfair, Alain Ducasse's 3 Michelin stars' French fine dining restaurant would instantly come to your mind if you are a foodie. However, Dorchester also has a fine dining Chinese restaurant: China Tang. Launched by the legendary restauranter David Tang, China Tang is a celebrity hang out joint for top quality Chinese food. The restaurant is known for its none gimmick Cantonese fine dining, just pure good quality, classic Cantonese cuisine, from dim sums to classic steam fishes. China Tang also has a beautiful cocktail bar that is known for combining Asian flavours and western spirits to create something unusual and original.

Siu mai dumplings and prawn cannelloni

Honey Cha Siu Pork

We opted for a selection of classic dim sums to start off the evening, the prawn cannelloni had a lovely filling of well seasoned sweet prawns, the rice skin was also silky smooth, but a little bit too thick for my liking. The iconic Peaking duck was roasted to a level that was almost too burnt, but it did make it extra crispy and the duck sauce was finely blended to reach that lovely sweet and savory taste. It was my first time ever trying Dover Sole in the classic Cantonese steaming method and the result was pretty interesting, the fish tasted fresh and the light soy sauce dressing added great depth and acted as a great seasoning, just a little pity it was a little bit overcooked, otherwise, it would have been a spectacular dish. 

Serving the Peaking duck

Peaking duck

Garlic gai lan

All in all, the dinner experience at China Tang was a little bit hit and miss. I could tell the restaurant used great ingredients, but sometimes the execution was just lacking. Classic Cantonese dishes are not easy to get it perfect, at the same time mistakes are easy to be spotted. A little shame that China Tang failed to deliver within expectation on my visit, I really wanted to like China Tang as I was in love with the 1930 art deco design, the amazing hospitality from the serving staff and the great cocktails from the bar. Everything else was wonderful apart from the food, at the kind of price level it is commanding, I was hoping for something truly special.  



Food 2.5/5

What I paid: 
£60 per person

Average cost without drinks and services:
£70

53 Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1QA

http://www.chinatanglondon.co.uk/