DINING REVIEW: THE PARK CHINOIS BRUNCH, COMPLETE WITH DJS & LIVE MUSIC
Mayfair is certainly the nexus of decadent brunch options for Londoners and visitors to the capital alike, but Park Chinois may have one of the most extravagant.
Taking place every Saturday from 12-5pm, this Dim Sum inspired menu includes half a bottle of Champagne for each guest. Just the thing to kick start an indulgent weekend (and perhaps encourage a bit of impulse shopping at nearby Old Bond Street).
The team at Park Chinois welcomed team Musings for a review and it was truly a joy. For starters, I ordered my long time favourite, venison puffs, whilst my partner in crime secured the seafood selection of steamed dim sum. The venison morsels were melt in the mouth deliciousness, but the seafood parcels were good enough that I didn’t resent trading away one of the puffs in exchange for a taste.
For mains we settled on miso black cod (a classic) and wagyu beef in black bean sauce. Both were winning dishes. The cod is a buttery, flakey concoction that delivered exactly the quality one would expect. The wagyu, however, was a true highlight of the menu. The dish showcased the best qualities of the meat, which had been cooked to perfection. The black bean sauce and stir fried vegetables are just the right accompaniment to let the quality of the meat shine without overpowering it. For sides, we had egg noodles (dangerously moreish), and stir fried summer kale that was so good I kept forgetting it was the virtuously healthy option.
Dessert was a medley of miniatures, including macarons, cake pops, and chocolate ganache. The joy here lay not only in the sweet treats on offer, but the sharing experience of selecting favourites amongst ourselves (the checkerboard chocolates were our pick). These were all accompanied by a platter of summer fruits, consisting of refreshing strawberries and melon.
Throughout brunch are live performances from a DJ and selected musicians. While we dined we were treated to performances of saxophone and bongos. The entertainment travels around the room, adding flair and atmosphere to the brunch experiences.
The Park Chinois Brunch is £120pp, including 3 courses and half a bottle of Champagne
Park Chinois, 17 Berkeley St, London W1J 8EA
