Kai Mayfair

Mayfair's Chinese fine dining joint 

Canapes of Prawns on Toast

This is my second visit to Kai Mayfair, the single Michelin starred Chinese restaurant in London. The fine dining restaurant has been around for some time now, with a strong loyal following. Unlike many other high-end restaurants in London, Kai doesn't offer a tasting menu, it is more traditional with a large la carte menu of around 60 dishes. However, the food offering from Kai is far from traditional, with strong South East Asia influences and some creative European ideas in the mixed, resulting in some of the most contemporary Chinese cuisines you can find in London.

Aromatic Crispy Beancurd

Steamed Chilean Seabass

I have eaten plenty of prawn toasts but Kai's take is creative with the use of black sesame seeds, the aroma was very inviting and it used some fine quality prawns, a complete contrast to those you can find in China Town. The steamed Chilean seabass has used classic Chinese steam fish with a South Asian touch with the addition of lime and lemongrass. I enjoyed the freshness and the fruitiness of the garnishes, which enhanced the natural sweetness of the seabass, with the soy sauce linked up all the ingredients nicely. Slow-cooked pork belly is one of the very classic Chinese dishes you can find in most places back in China, and Kai's version was simply fantastic, it had a wonderful melting sensation, and the depth of sweet and umami balance was just right.

18 Hour Slow-cooked Pork Belly

Broccolini

All in all, without a question, Kai Mayfair's unique take on Chinese cuisine is interesting and creative, while maintaining the essence of Chinese cooking. I personally had a very enjoyable meal, the service of the evening was fantastic, in line with the fine dining approach of the restaurant. The real question is, does it justifies the price? From a pure food factor, it is difficult, a rack of veal or a piece of fish costing north of £40 is very not cheap that is for sure, but when you also consider the crazy rent you need to pay to run a restaurant in Mayfair and the current struggle of finding good hospitality staff in the industry in general, then that is another story.



Food 3.5/5


Average cost without drinks and services :
£80

5 S Audley St, Mayfair, London W1K 2QU

http://www.kaimayfair.co.uk/