The Legacy House

Legendary dim sum offering 

Sea Cucumber Dumpling, Matsutake Mushroom, Pork, Shrimp

Perched within the refined calm of the Rosewood Hong Kong, the Michelin-starred Legacy House leans into understated luxury rather than spectacle, with warm woods, soft lighting, and carefully framed views that remind you where you are without demanding your attention. There’s a strong sense of identity here, rooted in Cantonese culinary tradition but polished through a contemporary lens. That balance shows up not just in the food, but in the way the entire experience unfolds. You’re not rushed, not hovered over, and not left wondering what comes next. Instead, everything moves with a kind of quiet precision that allows the food to take center stage. And for the most part, it earns that spotlight.

Yat Tung Heen

Hallmark of classic Cantonese feast

Char siu bbq pork

Yat Tung Heen sits inside the Eaton Hotel in Hong Kong. The Michelin-starred hotel restaurant is very popular among both locals and tourists. On a weekday lunchtime visit, it was almost packed, which is unusual. The menu leans heavily into Cantonese classics, but there is a sense of restraint. Nothing feels overworked or overly modernized for the sake of trend. Instead, the kitchen seems focused on precision and consistency. For my second visit, I opted for a selection of dim sum dishes along with a char siu and a stir fry rice.

Ibai

The finest fire-themed restaurant in the UK 

Basque Tortilla

Ibai has established itself as one of London's finest destinations for serious steak lovers, yet reducing it to merely a steak restaurant would miss much of what makes it special. Located in the heart of the city, this Basque-inspired restaurant captures the spirit of northern Spain with remarkable confidence, combining exceptional produce, restrained cooking, and a deep respect for tradition. The menu is built around the principles that have made Basque cuisine so admired around the world: outstanding ingredients, precise cooking, and an understanding that simplicity often requires the greatest skill. One of the great pleasures of dining at Ibai is exploring the daily specials, which are treated not as afterthoughts but as central attractions.

Island

Work in progress 

Grilled lamb belly and squid

Island arrives in King's Cross with serious pedigree and equally serious ambition. Backed by two Michelin-starred chefs (Tom Brown and Brad Carter), the restaurant promises a playful, premium take on surf and turf, combining top-quality seafood and carefully sourced meat in a stylish, energetic setting that feels designed as much for celebration as it does for dinner.  The menu avoids playing it safe, encouraging diners to order broadly and share across the table, which adds to the social atmosphere. Not every experiment lands, however, and there are moments where the pursuit of novelty feels as though it has overtaken common sense.

Ibai

 The steak king of the UK

Truffle and charizo

Ibai is one of those rare places where the noise around it actually feels justified the moment the first plate lands on your table. Service follows the same philosophy. It’s attentive but never intrusive, informed without sounding rehearsed. You get the sense that everyone working there genuinely understands the food. Ibai is my no 1 restaurant in the UK as they get the simple thing done properly, good ingredients, cooked just right with the right level of seasoning. The following captures my 18th visit.