Chino Latino

5th August, 2017. Posted by Mr Swagger

Not sure about anyone else but I’m tired of chain restaurants and the lack of variety their monopoly on the market place offers. And not just in the food they offer because for the most part they offer what appears to be variety to the naked eye. But more it’s the lack of variety in the overall experience. Life is meant to be a kaleidoscope of experiences not a B&Q colour wheel, I’m bored of the primary colours!

A couple of months ago I was invited to dine at a Fusion restaurant, now the word fusion always peaks my attention as it’s either going to be a really bad experiment or a moment of sublime genius. So like I’ve said I’m looking for different and to be told that the fusion was in the form of Pan Asian food and Latin libations, that’s a good place to start.

The website for this restaurant really set the mood and let me know to pull out the Grenson Brogues, put away the Stan Smiths and iron a good shirt as we shall be dining (as a good friend of mine says) not just going out to eat.

So me, my good shoes and my guest arrive at this beautiful hotel on London’s South Bank and are greeted at the host desk. As we walk through this modern lounge filled with over sized metallic red desk lamps, very reminiscent of 80’s chic decor. We walk under the large glass roof to be seated at our table by the window that looks out over the Thames to beautiful views of Central London.
Now one of the things I’ve always been told by professionals in the restaurant industry is, that you must not overwhelm your customers with a vast menu. Well in this case I’m glad that rule was done away with. The menu at Chino Latino is huge and for good reason. With food literally from the entire Asian region of the world, and with some dishes having 2 to 3 variations it would be impossible to make the menu any smaller and that’s before they’ve even got to the drinks and dessert menu.

So 30 minutes have passed, my Rum Re-fashioned which is a twist on the classis Old Fashioned made with Eldarado 5 year, is going down a treat, and I’m still reading through this menu like it’s a best seller. But even ordering that drink was a hard choice (even though I have a love for a good Rum Old Fashioned…hmmm might be an article in that). With menus for 6 (it’s kind of 7) base spirits of Rum, Agave (both Tequila and Mezcal which are the same thing just from different regions) Cachaca, Bourbon, Vodka & Gin. As well as a great Champagne and Cocktail menu. I for one was very happy.

Finally a decision has been made and food has been ordered! Not too long after, but long enough that you know your food has been prepared from scratch our table is adorned with delights. The Tate Galleries aren’t far away and it’s like the food has been inspired. I’ve matured enough to appreciate presentation and when that presentation comes in portions big enough to eat and not just taste, the joy. Now I’m not going to go through exactly what we ate as we’ll be here forever as a feast was had. So what I’ll do is pick out for you what really stood out.
From the Dim Sum menu you must indulge in the chilean sea bass and crayfish gyozas. And as a great surprise for someone like myself who tends to shy from dishes that don’t have meat or shellfish in them the  Tuna Ceviche is life changing. Whilst on the subject of shell fish, it’s not Asian food if they don’t have Soft shell crab. Ok that’s not entirely true but soft shell crab is a must when you see it on any menu and Chino Latino have taken that to new levels with their  Tempura stuffed Red Chilli and soft shell crab, where the chilli really packs a kick and the crab wrapped around it hugging all that flavour. If it wasn’t for the fact that we had order so much food a second order of these would have been made.

We had a word with the chef about the beef that they use for their dishes and he said something that let me know that we were in for a treat to say the least. He let us know that they are very particular about the Wagyu that they use, if it doesn’t meet standards they either give it to staff to take home or give it to the local homeless charity and remove it from the menu for the day. Thankfully we were there on a perfect Wagyu day and were taken to nirvana with the best beef short rib that has ever crossed these lips and well as the anticucho wagyu flank skewer served rare on hot stones so that by the time you eat it the beef has cooked to medium rare as is just so succulent and full of flavour. Now back to that slow cooked prime beef short rib. I don’t think I’ve eaten beef since eating this, the bar has been raised so high that I just can’t deal with the disappointment. This beef was just perfect in texture and flavour and the honey, ginger and soy sauce that it sits in is from the gods.

Dessert! I wanted the Zen Garden which just sounds like the perfect end for such a mind blowing experience. I was intrigued and excited by the thought of pistachio rocks,blueberry sorbet and lemon sand, but alas the last one had already been ordered. Not to worry though as the Yuzu cream sugar bulb was here to save the day. A mini meringue with champagne granite and summer fruits was the perfect happy ending.

As we enjoyed the last of the live piano being played out of sight, the whole night was accompanied by live music being played at just the right volume to create and ambience and not a noise. I sip on a Armagnac Janneau VSOP served warm the perfect aperitif to one of the greatest meals I’ve ever had.


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