Kai Mayfair
our comments
If we’re going to have a Chinese on a Friday night chez Harman, it’s normally a takeaway from the very good Hung’s of Streatham (that should be worth some free prawn crackers eh?). This Friday we’re in Mayfair though and I wouldn’t even say it was a ‘Chinese’. That’s far too simplistic a label for Chef Alex Chow’s fusion of Far Eastern cuisine matched with the presentation expected of a Michelin starred fine dining restaurant. Forget a menu with hundreds of dishes on it, this one is clean, simple and short but the one thing you will notice is the prices. Oooh la la, or whatever they say in Cantonese.
The décor overall matches the prices although the bar area looks a little scuffed up. The place is packed with seriously moneyed diners including a couple with small children – lucky, lucky kids. I hope they appreciate it. Here is wealth at dinner and there are a few Russian voices about, although I can’t hear Mick Jagger’s who is said to be a keen fan of the food here. When something passes those famous lips, it presumably has to be good.
If you want Peking Duck or Sweet and Sour Pork you can have it and I am sure it’s excellent, but Kai’s is about the dishes that are mostly unique to them. Tan Jia Lobster broth is a bisque poured from a teapot around an island of spinach topped with a prawn. The bisque is thick and rich with subtle flavours that take time to develop on the palate, reflecting its normal Chinese role as an accompaniment, not a starter. It’s a smooth kick off to the meal, hinting at what’s to come. Next the famous soft shelled crab, cleaned and coated in spiced batter and then deep-fried whole to a delicate crispiness and served in a tall glass on a bed of julienned green mango spiked with fresh red chilli. With it comes another tall glass, this time of lamb shank apparently pulled off the bone, cooked in a twelve ingredient marinade and topped with a rich chicken and garlic crème layer. I’ve never seen anything like it, being more used to Flintstone style lamb shanks. This is quite delicious and nowhere near as filling as you might suppose.
A clear example of the fusion of far eastern tastes is the dish of wasabi prawns. These are deep fried king prawns coated in a mayonnaise laced with wasabi, the latter’s notorious fierceness tempered by both the treatment and little cubes of mango and basil seed. It’s a magic mouthful and presented beautifully. Steamed Chilean sea bass slides apart at a prod from the chopsticks and sits in a lake of sweetened soy with mushrooms and is topped with a shrimp crumble. I’m then surprised by just how much I like the braised homemade tofu, its silky smooth structure slips like an oyster into the mouth and it’s served with a powerfully tasty crabmeat, duck and carrot reduction. Quite brilliant. And still it comes, spice scented rice so good it would do as a meal on its own and then Sirloin with Black Pepper, Garlic Flakes and Sliced Chinese Croissant.
The highly marbled Beccleuch beef is cut into cubes instead of the usual traditional slices to ensure that any imperfections in the beef will be obvious. There are no imperfections; it’s glorious meat beautifully cooked. By now it’s getting to be a struggle to fit it all in but there’s still room for a magical Pumpkin Cream with Coconut Ice Cream and Purple Rice. We all know pumpkin can be sweet, but this proves it. The mealy texture of the squash sits perfectly with the granular ice cream.
I haven’t mentioned the wines, but trust me there’s something for everyone, especially oligarchs or rich wrinkly rockers. Kai is a special place that isn’t cheap, but the cooking and service are exemplary. I don’t think there’s anywhere comparable in London, just ask for them to choose the dishes (agree the price) and sit back and be impressed.
Nick Harman - April 2007
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
Kai is no ordinary Chinese restaurant. Unlike many restaurants that serve the same menu for the past 30 years, Kai enjoys introducing new ideas to their menu. Many restaurants have tried and failed as they don't know how to balance the taste to suit most customers but instead go for a trial and error, which usually goes very wrong. Kai, however, knows very well what they are doing.
You don't go to this restaurant for a typical meal and the price of meals are on the high side, but the food and experience is worth the price. You also need to consider the area, you don't pop into Mayfair and expect a bargain. The wine list as usual is superb and staff are friendly and attentive.
Whether you go there for a solo meal or a party, Kai has never gone wrong. They know how to treat the visit. Great stuff!
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Paul E - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 5
Saturday, April 12, 2008
kai is a lovely place to dine, service is high, food is ok but i would say i found this place a little too overpriced.
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amy - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Monday, February 11, 2008
It's terribly expensive but the best Chinese food in London - possibly the world?
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Simon King
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, December 07, 2007
I was quite dissapointed. We were seated next to a table full of very young children and a couple that answered their cell phones 2-3 times a piece. Very annoying. They messed up our order but were happy to take it back and retun with the correct dish.
I was dissapointed with the prices of the dishes. 24 pounds for bean curd seems a bit steap.
They were out of their table pinot noir and did not have a temporary substitute of any kind.
All in all the food was good but not out of this world. The service was very good and attentive...for sure the most impressive part of the evening. I don't think we will be returning...there are too many options in London to go to a place that is so so for that price range.
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Paul
Overall rating 
Food 5 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Monday, September 24, 2007
Fabulous food and wonderfully attentive service
Rather than ordering from the menu my preference is to ask floor staff to recommend dishes and to "bring food". At Kai the floor staff understand this sort of request and the food they bring is always wonderful
Duck is sometimes baked and sometimes roast either is wonderful. The wasabi coated prawns served as a starter are exquisite
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phil - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, September 03, 2007
Excellent service, excellent food. Very well presented and very relax atmosphere. This restaurant will be in my top 5 choices when I visit London. This is a restaurant that I can recommend to friends and business colleagues.
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MM
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, March 04, 2007
You can be as extravagant and sophisticated as you like here...or you can just stock with sweet and sour pork and chop suey. I can't vouch for the luxury dishes, but the usual faves were done very well indeed on our vist. Service was not only very efficient and polite, but without the starchy formality you associate with similar Mayfair establishments.
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Wicked Witch
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, January 08, 2007
Everytime we visit London in summer and in winter, we going to Kai on a weekly basis! The food is simply delicious especially the Duck and the sweet and sour chicken!
I love the atmosphere which is gentle and classy, and it is also fun! The staff are great, there friendly and welcoming.
For the price, well, it is not as bad! I've never tasted good Chinese food as I've tasted in Kai!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, November 12, 2006
This was the second time we'd visited Kai and had a wonderful meal the first time there. Happily it continued to impress from the delicious Wasabi Prawn starter to the flawless crispy beef & cashew chicken. Prices were as expected for Mayfair and service was attentive and polite. If you're taking out clients, friends or just looking for what is definitely one of the best Chinese restaurants in the country, you won't be disappointed with Kai.
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Rabin
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
This restaurant is mine and my partners all time favourite restaurant and we have been to some of the best!! As big fans of oriental food, this place steps up to the mark!! The best dish has to be the sweet and sour pork, it’s unbelievable!! and the black cod is very good as well!! I have been there several times now and the service ambiance and food is fantastic! A must for foodies and social butterflies alike!!
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Natalie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, May 04, 2006
