Hakkasan

Hidden away in a secretive alley off Tottenham Court Road, Hakkasan has always been a magnet for the glitterati, thanks to its original founder Alan Yau, whose mission was to make Chinese food sexy and sophisticated. Hakkasan continues to raise the profile of Cantonese cuisine and make it worthy of serious attention within London's foodie fraternity. The ambience within is that of a louche basement nightclub, with sepulchral lighting and a high-decibel vibe courtesy of the cocktail bar. A creative menu of new-wave and classic dishes covers every imaginable base, and then some, from an exhaustive compendium of dim sum, to 'small eat' ideas such as lamb salad with spicy peanut dressing or fried soft-shelled crab with red chilli and curry leaves. Main dishes include spicy scallops with almonds, spring onion and ginger, and stewed organic pork belly with oysters. The cooking is good, the prices are high.