Yauatcha

Eight years on this self-billed modern reinterpretation of the old Chinese teahouse is still as fashionable as ever, the basement still a sexy, moody place to hang out. They come (and boy do they come) for the all-day grazing of dazzling dim sum, built on top quality ingredients and eye-catchingly presented. Traditional Cantonese favourites sit alongside more esoteric pairings on the long menu. How about cuttlefish cake with lotus root, chicken and prawn taro croquette or Szechuan seafood and tofu claypot with peanut? Desserts are very special, too, and pretty as a picture; lychee rose, chocolate, biscuit spheres and almonds, perhaps, or dark chocolate and orange compôte with orange cremeaux. Tea smoothies or unusual iced tea combinations (kumquat, mandarin juice and jasmine for example) sit alongside inventive cocktails.