Know Your Dumplings

I'm a sucker for dumplings, what can I say. If there was something I could indulge into every day (aside from bread, fries and ice-cream) that would be dumplings. And it’s a funny story, cause when I first got introduce to these beauties I was not super keen on them. It was during my first ever travel abroad, to Hong Kong. My friends out there took me out for Dim Sum and the westerner/ continental side of me could not cope with the variety and look of these little things. Little did I know these would become my obsession later on…

As a good dumplings lover, I’ve been travelling all over the city to find the absolute best dumplings in town, and here is what I found:

SOHO

Conveniently located off Carnaby St, Ugly Dumpling (1 Newburgh St) is the new kid on the block. It provides all your street food essentials with a twist, including pork belly, aromatic duck, satay chicken and prawn & chive but aaalso what they call “new favorites” which basically is a feast of flavors in a 5-piece dumpling platter. Lamb, harissa & yogurt, cauliflower & potato and halloume & courgette were surprisingly some of my favorites.

Not only they had a great selection on offer but also dessert dumplings! Matcha-filled dumplings bonanza or blueberry jam fried dumplings with clotted cream. I mean, shall I say more?  

CHINATOWN

Dumplings Legend (15-16 Gerrard St) is probably my old time favorite. Whenever I fancy a quick fix or just wanna hang out for a while in the area, this is always a good choice. Despite having tons of people working there sometimes service lacks attention, however quality-price is unbeatable. Also, they are open for business till 2AM pretty much every day. That’s an absolute winner in my dictionary.

Beijing Dumpling (23 Lisle St) is probably the best in Chinatown when it comes to dumplings. Also, who does not love seeing how these are made in front of you?

MARYLEBONE

Royal China (40-42 Baker St) is perfect for Sunday Brunch (that is, Dim Sum), which not only offers dumplings but a wide range of great chinese/ hong-kong cuisine. Unfortunately, they do not take reservations and this place is quite renown by locals (and not so locals), therefore you may need to cue for a bit. The menu selection is vast, so vast you don’t know where to start, but pretty much all dishes are a winner.

HACKNEY

My Neighbours The Dumplings in Homerton/Clapton (165 Lower Clapton Rd) and also Victori Park is definitely one of my recent locals. It holds a sake bar in their basement and the food was simply exceptional. Again, a bit of an Asian mix here, which included gyozas and dumplings and even dumplings with a European twist. Their menu also includes dessert dumplings, which is becoming on of my new favorite things. Argh, so much for that ‘no-sugar’ diet…

SHOREDITCH

Dumpling Shack is a MUST on Saturdays at Spitafields Market. Open everyday for lunch (and at times also in the evening), this little spot possibly delivers one of my favorite dumplings in town. The menu is extremely limited, but what they do they do GREAT. Fried soup dumpling at its best and extremely delicious hand made noodles at the shack next door. What else could you ask for?

Art Afternoon Tea at The Rosewood Hotel

Art meets Tea

And they both met luxury.

2020 has started with a bang and there are many things to celebrate. In the space of one year, my very good friend Liv has beaten cancer, bought a house and recently got engaged. Could there be any more reasons to celebrate life?

Of course, we celebrated it in style. We put up our fancy shoes and off we went to the Mirror Room at the Rosewood, a 5-star hotel in the middle of the city.

Hard to believe but I’ve actually missed this building by running to get to BoomCycle across the road, which seems kind of crazy now that I’ve stepped foot on it. Truly a beautiful spot.

When you step in this hotel is like you are no longer in the bustling streets of Holborn, but rather in a grand town house waiting for your guests to arrive and your butler(s) to serve you. For better or for worse, this is 2020 and we don’t have butlers anymore, but they do have very attentive staff that treated like real queens during our stay.

The occasion? Afternoon Tea. And not like any other afternoon tea. The hotel has been teamed up with Pastry Chef Mark Perkins to create an artful afternoon tea, changing frequently to match with current exhibitions in the city. We were able to enjoy the last day of Antony Gormley’s afternoon tea, but if you are heading there soon, you’ll be able to indulge into Pablo Picasso’s sweet creations.

WHAT will you get if you go? A three-course menu of afternoon tea, including a set of delicious finger sandwiches (OMG that truffle egg!), two sets of little cakes, scones, truffles and few other surprises on the go. They tend to refill you if you are feeling hungry, but we were barely able to go through the three courses without repeating so we would advise you against it

WHY should you go? If you are into delicatessen patisserie, luxury crafts and incredible settings, this is your thing. Be ready to indulge into the most lavish afternoon tea you have probably ever had (we actually liked it better than The Savoy’s or The Ritz’s). Needless to say you should top that up with a glass of bubbly…R de Ruinart is just excellent.

WHEN should you go? Oh honey, any time! They serve afternoon tea from 12 up until 5ish every day.

Ok, where is it exactly, then? 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN, London

Average price for afternoon tea (with a glass of champagne): £75

Bon appetite my loves,

TCB x