Local Guides World
Upscale spot with lanterns, silk curtains and city views, serving dim sum and northern Chinese fare.
33 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY, United Kingdom

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Reviews — 8

Kevin Ling
at 2024 Feb 16
Kevin Ling
at 2024 Feb 16
BLUF: I would return to try the normal menu.

I went for Valentines Day Dinner which had a fixed menu. I would have liked the option to either order items from the normal menu or add additional items from the set menu. For the set menu food was okay (not great, not bad).

Pro:
- The drinks were very good
- The atmosphere is quite nice with high rise views of London and romantic decor
- Management service was top notch. After we were forced from our table we forgot to grab a scarf when we left. Because we were leaving London the next day, Tia actually drove to our hotel the following morning and dropped off the scarf.

Con:
- Drink service was slow. We ordered drinks when we sat but didn't recieve them until after our appetizers where finished.
- General service was a bit rude. After finishing our meal we were wrapping up drinks when a waiter forced us to leave the table.
Imran Butt
at 2024 Jan 25
Imran Butt
at 2024 Jan 25
First off you gotta love the dark atmosphere and traditional Chinese interiors that fills the place with a sense of energy and mystery. The fantastic views towering over London certainly adds to this other-worldliness. And then there’s our server Claudiu, a tall, confident and comforting presence always in the shadows ready to offer us a friendly chat or interesting menu recommend. The cocktails are strong and smooth and you’re set up for the perfect meal before you even had the chance to check the menu.

The dishes are a good selection of traditional and modern Chinese cuisine. You got some classics like Crispy beef and beef tripe, some reinventions like their prawn spring rolls (which should be given a more elevated name and status) and then you got their aubergine strips (vegetables have no earthly business tasting so divine). And you must order the Dim Sum platter… you must!

And that is probably also its main issue. As far and wide as the dishes take you, what is lacking in their approach is a culinary philosophy that takes on Chinese cuisine by bringing all the dishes together as an expression and celebration of its head chef’s singular vision.

Although we are far from the madding crowd of high street Chinese food; paying the amounts that only a few can pay, I was hoping for a true celebration of China and what makes its cuisine uniquely its own. Instead I got a lot of different, unrelated but ultimately tasty dishes of food.
Armita
at 2024 Jan 24
Armita
at 2024 Jan 24
We visited this restaurant right before the sunset, so we got the best view of both before and after the sunset. It was amazing. The food is also amazing. We tried appetizer, main dish and deserts. Everything was on point. The duck was tasty and the presentation of the cut in front of us was great. Staff were friendly and polite. We also really enjoyed the cocktail. One of the best I’ve ever had.
Sushil Patil
at 2024 Jan 10
Sushil Patil
at 2024 Jan 10
My visit to Hutong in The Shard was nothing short of spectacular! The ambiance was enchanting, with a perfect blend of contemporary design and traditional Chinese elements. The panoramic view of London's skyline from The Shard added an extra layer of magic to the dining experience.

The culinary journey at Hutong was exceptional. Each dish was a masterpiece, showcasing the artistry of Chinese cuisine. The innovative twist of crafting cocktails based on zodiac signs added a delightful touch. The flavors were not only delicious but also a harmonious representation of the Chinese culinary heritage.

The attentive staff and impeccable service heightened the overall experience. Hutong in The Shard is a must-visit for anyone seeking a blend of exquisite flavors, stunning views, and a touch of celestial charm. I'll undoubtedly be returning to savor more of this culinary gem!
Raj
at 2023 Dec 31
Raj
at 2023 Dec 31
The Food and drinks were tasty, recommend the duck, which is two parts, sliced for pancakes and then minced with beans. Also recommend the salted egg prawns.

The prawn dish was £42 and we only got 5/6 pieces, and they weren't large prawns so it is really pricey. The rest of the food we ordered was ok. The lamb ribs and pork belly were too subtle in flavouring, not bad but not memorable.

The service was not good. They had one waiter who was doing most of the service and others supporting her. It meant that you had to really flag someone down to get there attention. They didn't take our drinks order. We had to ask multiple times to get things like chilli sauce. If this was a run of the mill restaurant it would be acceptable but not when you are paying the prices you are.

The bill ended up being £420 for 3 adults + a child and I really don't think it's worth it. Something to be done once but I wouldn't go back.

They were though very family friendly for lunch.
Edmond Siu
at 2023 Dec 17
Edmond Siu
at 2023 Dec 17
TL;DR: Food is decent, but lack of attention to details and finesse of service was disappointing.

The food service was very quick, the duck we ordered arrived fresh and warm from the kitchen minutes after the order was placed. The chef prepared the duck slices at the table and the rest of the meat was taken away to be prepared for their second serving of fried duck meat. All of the dishes were delicious.

The braised tofu was a bit disappointing, I was expecting a warm dish but it was served at room temperature / slightly cold. Flavour wise it was good, better if it's warm.

For the price they were asking for I would have expected better service from the wait team.

Dishes were more than once harshly dropped on our table as it arrived - something I wouldn't give it a second thought if it was a local Chinese eatery. At ~£60 per head lunch I'd expect a bit more finesse by the wait staff.

The choices of cutleries also seemed odd - a small tapas-sized plate for eating fried rice with chopsticks made it a frustrating experience even for experienced chopsticks-user like myself.

Overall, I enjoyed the food, but the service failed to compliment the experience.
I would look elsewhere if I'm looking to treat someone to a nice Chinese dining experience.
Wale Dawodu
at 2023 Nov 12
Wale Dawodu
at 2023 Nov 12
Really enjoyed our time here, birthday dinner of 12 was a great experience. Staff & chefs were prepared for the night. Our starters seemed like main course cos it was a lot (laughs), had roasted pecking duck, dumplings and some veggies, atmosphere was good, drinks & cocktails were nice too and the shots were huge..likely a place to visit again. Nothing feels weird and we were not rushed. We left at our own time.

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