Chinese New Year celebrations in London tend to centre on China Town, but a little of it danced over to the Chinese Cricket Club restaurant located within the Crowne Plaza, Blackfriars. The restaurant is named in recognition of the Chinese National Cricket team, but other than that there is little visible reference to cricket or its oriental influence. The dining area has dual functionality as it also serves as the hotels breakfast room. Thus resulting in a rather bland and uninspiring décor. However, the same cannot be said of the food or the atmosphere on the night, as diners were treated to a thumping, pumping, Lion Dance performance.
Lion Dance Troupe
Venison With Red Wine and Black Pepper Sauce
Executive Head Chef Ken Wang takes the lead in the kitchen and serves Cantonese and Sichuan food. I got to feast on a special Chinese New Year menu, which included many traditional foods eaten during this time. The carefully considered menu included: King Prawns Shanghai Style, Sichuan Ban-Ban Chicken, Sesame Jelly Fish Salad, Mandarin Peel Beef, Venison With Red Wine and Black Pepper Sauce, Sea Bass with Chopped Chilli Sauce, Stew Cherry Duck Leg in Tsing Tao Beer Sauce, Chinese Pak Choi with Wild Mushrooms, Golden Dumplings and Sweet Black Sesame Rice Balls.
L to R: Stew Cherry Duck Leg in Tsing Tao Beer Sauce,
Sea Bass with Chopped Chilli Sauce, Mandarin Peel Beef,
Sesame Jelly Fish Salad
Golden Dumplings
Highlights were the plump and deliciously sweet prawns, very succulent and tender venison and tasty golden dumplings. The jelly fish was interesting mostly for its unusual texture – a bit like glass noodles but springy. Most of its flavour came from the nicely balanced sesame dressing. The cooking overall was of a high standard and refined. If you are in need of quality Chinese food in the city, the Chinese Cricket Club is the place for you.
The Chinese Cricket Club has a selection of set menus and an a la carte. The Chinese New Year menu was £58 per person.
Food I Fancy dined as a guest.
Chinese Cricket Club
Crowne Plaza Hotel
19 New Bridge Street
London EC4V 6DB
Tel: 020 7438 8051
