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LONDON
Add these upscale Soho restaurants to your to-eat list on your next visit to the district.
Chotto Matte serves up artistic Nikkei cuisine – a mix of Japanese and Peruvian fare. Once you set foot in the restaurant, you are welcomed by expressive upbeat music and vibrant walls to match the eclectic theme. This Soho joint is popular among Londoners in the know and regularly debuts live music and DJs throughout the week, backed by stellar service to spice up any night. For food, the menu spans robata grill, sushi, sashimi, tempura and more, but the signature Asado de Tira is a must-try: a slow-cooked BBQ beef served atop purple potato purée. Forget knives and forks for this one; the meat is so soft that a pair of chopsticks can cut through alone. Looking for a vegan dish? Fret not, there's an abundance of options and the King Oyster Mushroom Tostadas was our personal favourite.
Chotto Matte London, 11, 13 Frith Street, London W1D 4RB, United Kingdom, +44 20 7042 7171
This restaurant greets gourmands at first sight with its wistful elegance. Heritage Restaurant and Cocktail Bar whisks you to a Swiss ski-lodge getaway and is decked in premium leather sofas, faux fur blankets and warm wooden furnishings, while the lavish bar counter attracts the eye immediately taking centre stage. There's a sumptuous canopy along with the outdoor window seats and artwork hanging upon every wall to add to this beautiful, welcoming ambience. And with Alpine cuisine, comes the dining motif – “plates for friends”. The concept of sharing is celebrated through its signature Fondue, Raclette and seafood platters. Dip the artisan bread or mini potatoes into the Swiss melting cheese pot and embrace the aromatic charm of the Vacherin Fribourgeois and Gruyère mix. Cocktails are presented as works of art, with The Giant as a highlight, served inside a glass case fogged up by dry ice. The Lady Rose is an interesting one too, it comes with a gun that inflates a bubble, and once it bursts, smoke is discharged and creates a dreamlike scenery. Don’t be surprised by the zealous humour and passion of the staff – they will demonstrate to you the most authentic European hospitality.
Heritage Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, 18-20 Rupert Street, London W1D 6DF, United Kingdom, +44 20 3995 7500
The airy, cosy vibe of Inko Nito is what draws in big crowds daily. Robatayaki is name of the game here, with live cooking demonstrations by chefs at the counter table (be camera ready to watch the flames). Highlights include the aubergine with garlic lemon miso and spring onions, which is so soft that the aubergine almost melts in your mouth. The salmon fillet with ruby grapefruit and sansho salt are also worth a mention; you'll notice the flavours of the food is enhanced drastically from being grilled at high temperature, the result is a caramelised crispy skin enveloping the juicy meat. Get the Inko cheesecake for dessert which is best accompanied with sake to wrap up the meal with a satisfactory note – the refreshing flavours from various fruits in the purée work in harmony with the smooth fruity alcoholic bevvy.
INKO NITO, 55 Broadwick St, Carnaby, London W1F 9QS, United Kingdom, +44 20 3959 2650
Perched within London's West End, aqua nueva (from the brains behind aqua, Hutong and Statement in Hong Kong, and globally) serves contemporary Spanish tapas in a luxurious setting. The stunning interiors set up the mood for a feast of many bite-sized delights. The menu is constantly updated to align with various festivals, with a wide range of classic plates, croquettes, and tapas to feed your Spanish cuisine cravings. Fancy a drink? Continue your fiesta in the award-winning Aqua Spirit bar. Be sure to arrive early for a place at the first-come-first-served rooftop terrace, where overlooks the West End theatre, with a DJ stationed for the whole day. Sister restaurant Aqua Kyoto is a dedicated Japanese restaurant located just next door. Lucky for you, the aqua experience never ends.
aqua nueva, 5th Floor, 240 Regent Street (Entrance 30 Argyll Street), London, UK W1B 3BR, +44 020 7478 0540
Reviving the craft of alchemy, The Alchemist Bar celebrates a tribute to the old-school tradition. Rows of chemical elements represent cocktails resembling the periodic table. There are no ordinary cocktails at the Alchemist, each is served with its own show, as a chemical experiment as a “theatre-served world of molecular cocktail madness”. The Mad Hatters (MH) is quite the spectacle, arriving with a distilling flask, where it's heated up by a Bunsen burner, vapourised and rises to enter the upper fruit compartment. After this, the final solution drops back into the flask, ready to serve two. Meanwhile, The Pipe Dream (Pd) takes inspiration from the tobacco pipe, with its sophisticated pipe-form flask containing the liquor mix, in addition to the use of dry ice. Smoke brims over the chamber, then swamps the bar table, filling the entire scene with fog. The 3.5 oz of Happiness (Ha) offers you an intriguing taste served in an engraved hip flask that's yours to take home after consumption. Need some food to go with the drinks? The hamburger jabbed with liquid cheese syringes or the cotton candy that catches on fire will continue to inspire your experience.
Aussie brunch spot Scarlett Green excites gourmands with its colourful – and delicious – dishes. Combining fresh Mediterranean ingredients with pops of Asian flavours and textures, dishes are inspired by chilled Australian cafe culture. The Sweetcorn Fritters, being an all-time ladies’ favourite, explodes with vibrant colours- yellow corn rib, pink radish slices, green smashed avocado. From the latte art to the framed art, this is a pretty place to be. Every dish is photogenic, every corner of the restaurant is Insta-worthy – it's no wonder the restaurant is ranked No.1 on TripAdvisor for the best brunch in the world.
Scarlett Green, 4 Noel Street, London W1F 8GB, United Kingdom, +44 20 3653 2010
Patara translates to 'gracious lady' in Thai which sets the motif for the restaurant. From the subtle wall-mounted carvings to the impressive miniature temple on the brushed stone flooring, the interior design aims to transport visitors to Thailand. Chefs are all trained in Thailand, instilling the knowledge of traditional Thai cuisine and acquiring the ability to blend eastern and western culinary techniques in order to deliver the most sophisticated tastes. Dishes all come in generous portions, congruous with sharing. The seafood is particularly noteworthy, cooked in a variety of methods: stir-fried, flame-seared, battered; mixed with a wide range of spices and sauce, giving the final dish a unique umami taste.
Patara Soho, 15 Greek Street, London W1D 4DP, United Kingdom, +44 20 7437 1071
Masala Zone captures the essence of local Indian flavours, using key spices picked from the most notable farms in India. The menu covers Indian street food, traditional Thalis, regional curries, and even desserts made by Halwai- Indian castes. The restaurant has multiple outposts across London, with the Soho branch holding fort since 2001. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur in traditional Indian dishes or a total newbie, the staff and chefs at Masala Zone are happy to assist with every flavour profile.
Masala Zone Soho, 9 Marshall Street, London W1F 7ER, United Kingdom, +44 20 7287 9966
Sushi and yakitori lovers gather at Sticks'n'Sushi, a casual spot that takes a playful approach to the Japanese dishes. The restaurant has a half-Japanese and half-Danish background, so dishes are inspired by the combination of the two cultures. A variety of Nigiri, Maki, and skewers are tailored for sharing. There's also a kids menu available, making it a delight for both friends and family gatherings.
Sticks'n'Sushi, 40 Beak Street, London W1F 9RQ, United Kingdom, +44 20 3141 8191
The warm lighting and the Horigotatsu layout of Dozo Sushi set the tone for a welcoming ambience. Dishes are served in generous portions yet cover a wide range of options. Highlights include the Volcano Maki, a delightful sushi roll flooded with a unique eel sauce mix, and the chef’s-pick grilled lamb chops, marinated with Korean chilli sauce. This Soho joint is perfect for late-night bites or an indulgent romantic dinner.
Dozo Sushi, 32 Old Compton Street, London W1D 4TP, United Kingdom, +44 20 7434 3219
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