Harden's survey result
Summary
“Fantastic, modern Chinese food” has long driven this famous Asian phenomenon. Launched in 2001, it has gone from a big, “overly dark” and nightclubby basement (“horribly loud music”) near Tottenham Court Road to spawn a very glam Mayfair offshoot; as well as 12 international spin-offs from NYC to Mumbai. “Eye-watering prices” and a mixed record when it comes to service, have always inspired jibes of “style over substance” here. But perhaps due to post-Covid challenges, such problems are in the foreground this year. Given that there have been blips before, they will probably get a grip. But it’s hard at present to ignore the many former fans saying “these ageing stalwarts need a refresh” (“I used to love it, but I think the bill now is silly and unjustified and the service is half-hearted and surly”).
Summary
“Still making an impact” – this blingy brand broke the mould when the “dark” and nightclubby Hanway Place branch debuted in 2001, and, for its army of fans, it “still sets the standard for modern Chinese cuisine”, enhanced by the “extremely lively” atmosphere, which is buoyed along by “ordering one of their many delicious cocktails that leave you in a blissful haze”. Nowadays the cornerstone of an international group with 18 branches across the globe, it’s evidently no longer as cutting-edge as once it was, and ratings slipped a little further this year on gripes that it can seem “so overpriced”. All things considered, though, it retains an impressive level of support.
Summary
“Hakkasan has been setting the standard for modern Chinese food in London for ages now”, with the nightclubby, “dimly lit” original (“I had difficulty reading the menu and even seeing the food!”), opening “in a tiny, narrow lane with an anonymous entrance” near Tottenham Court Road in 2001; and although both it and its easier-to-find Mayfair spin-off’s styling “is a little bling bling” they continue to serve “seriously lovely” food and “refreshing” cocktails. There are drawbacks, which have also changed little over the years: it’s “very noisy”, staff can seem “bored” or “totally dismissive”, and “your wallet will have a hangover in the morning”.
Summary
“Hakkasan has been setting the standard for modern Chinese food in London for ages now”, with the nightclubby, “dimly lit” original (“I had difficulty reading the menu and even seeing the food!”), opening “in a tiny, narrow lane with an anonymous entrance” near Tottenham Court Road in 2001; and although both it and its easier-to-find Mayfair spin-off’s styling “is a little bling bling” they continue to serve “seriously lovely” food and “refreshing” cocktails. There are drawbacks, which have also changed little over the years: it’s “very noisy”, staff can seem “bored” or “totally dismissive”, and “your wallet will have a hangover in the morning”.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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Restaurant details
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Opening hours
lunch noon - 3.15 pm, Sat 4.15 pm, Sun 4.45 pm dinner 5.30 pm - 11.15 pm, Fri-Sat 12.15 pm
Last orders: 11 pm, Thu-Sat midnight
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