Modern Chinese restaurant Shikumen is to open its fourth branch in late April, in the new Dorsett City Hotel next to Aldgate station.

Since making made its debut at the Dorsett Hotel in Shepherd’s Bush, Chinese-owned Shikumen followed up with branches in Ealing and Finchley – so the new venue will be its first in central London.

The Shepherd’s Bush original wins praise for “consistently delicious” cooking – particularly “fantastic dim sum” – from the new Harden’s Survey. But there are complaints about the “cavernous” and unattractive dining-room – so respondents will be pleased to learn that the Aldgate branch will be smaller, and have spectacular views over 18th-century St Botolph’s church.

The indications are that it will specialise in seafood. Unusually for a Chinese restaurant, it will also be open for breakfast, to meet the needs of jet-lagged travellers, early City networkers and weekend brunch fans.

The Dorsett Hotel, part of an Asian-owned group expanding its London presence, is scheduled to open at the same time as Shikumen in the contemporary Matrix building. It will also have a Vingt-Quatre (VQ) late-night diner.