How to spend a day eating only at
Alan Yau's restaurants whilst ensuring, at the same time, total gourmet diversity and a balanced budget:
Breakfast - Princi(Cheap)Yau's collaboration with upmarket baker Rocco Princi has resulted in the first London branch of this Milanese bakery chain. Pop into Princi for a lovely brioche, pastry, a gourmet loaf, or for a coffee and cake. This place kicks the mass market asses of Boulangerie Paul and Le Pain Quotidien. During our visit (on a Sunday evening), while munching on the yummy sample pizzas that were being handed out to the crowds, we spotted the man Yau himself - or was it a Yau clone?
Lunch - Cha Cha Moon(Cheap)This Chinese noodle canteen follows on from Yau's Wagamama days, though I do sincerely hope Cha Cha moon does not go for the "expand till explode" concept, which invariably leads downhill. At least for now, Cha Cha Moon offers a lot more style, quality and far better value for money than the bland Wagamama. Lunch here can cost as little as a fiver (try the Taiwanese beef noodle soup for GBP 3,50 with a pot of Oolong tea at GBP 1,50). Avoid peak times as queues can be horrendous.
Tea - Yauatcha(Moderate)This dim sum/tea house is pricier than the two spots above - but totally worth it! GBP 27 will buy you a complete afternoon tea set which includes all the trimmings and more: a hot drink, sandwiches, scones, exotic fruits, cakes, cookies, chocolates and mini patisseries. Alternatively you can save GBP20 (blame it on the credit crunch...) and have a pot of tea and a patisserie for around GBP 7.
Dinner - Sake No Hana(Expensive)
"Sake No Hana" is Yau's version of a Japanese Izakaya (a Japanese "tapas bar" of sorts). In winter go straight for the slowly cooked "pork ribs with sugar snap", a melt in your mouth casserole that's perfect for sharing. The usual suspects score very highly too: sashimi is delicious, the tempura is perfect and crispy.
My only worry is the eventual phasing out of some of the more authentic Japanese menu items, given that the last time I visited the sea bream "Chazuke" - a type of savoury rice porridge - was unavailable. That would be a shame because authenticity (and excellent sake!) is what puts Sake no Hana on a level above its competitors (Zuma, Nobu). Say no to boring "black cod" and "chocolate fondant & green tea ice cream" and yes to "Chazuke" and "mochi"!
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