Nanyang Blossom goals to showcase the colourful and numerous culinary traditions of China’s Nanyang area, in any other case generally known as the ‘South Sea’. With behemoth establishments corresponding to Harrods, Harvey Nichols and the Mandarin Oriental dominating Knightsbridge’s central triangle, it’s a comparatively inconspicuous restaurant, positioned as it’s, down a comparatively inconspicuous alley. The alley connects Knightsbridge, the thoroughfare, to Outdated Brompton Highway, each of which swarm with consumers stomping, sometimes stampeding, respiratory within the metropolis’s costliest exhaust fumes.
Fortunately, as soon as inside Nanyang Blossom, its environment couldn’t be extra antithetical. A Chinese language lute soundtrack instantly soothes the senses. The house is dainty, intimate and calming. The inside design is sparse however elegant and appeals to all issues pure; fine-grained, darkish picket tables, related wall panels, lights hanging like inexperienced candle wicks, chain mail rippling all through like a caring breeze. Every desk, of which there are barely greater than two handfuls, is offset by a lavender-coloured, pink-petalled flower ornament.
It appears impolite to not attempt the restaurant’s eponymous cocktail which, with its tall, elegant glass placing a purple pose, coordinates completely with the desk ornament and is, maybe, the purplest drink in the entire of London. Vodka-based, infused with lychee and coconut, it’s fruity and eminently quaffable. My pal opts for a much less emblematic, extra enigmatic Smoky Assam which isn’t even on the menu however is an Asian riff on the Penicillin. A slower, pear-coloured drink, it begins with an nearly ginger hit however ends with a delicate but whisky-sour twist.
To make our life simple, we go for the ‘Nanyang set’ sharing possibility which begins with what might be mistaken for an amuse bouche however, a mix of cherry tomatoes pickled with osmanthus flowers, is extra a gesture to open our style buds. It’s candy however cool and appears to do the trick; the crab fritters and the rooster satay are each scrumptious. The previous is served with slices of mango, the latter with cinnamon pickled cucumber and pineapple. Neither, nonetheless, can compete with the unique, verging on the downright weird, spicy oatmeal squid. Who would’ve thought it? Oatmeal conjures up winter college mornings. Squid conjures up Mediterranean tavernas. So what does this conjure up? Effectively, the batter is mild and crispy. The squid is tremendous recent and agency. The oats are flippantly toasted, possess a touch of spice and appear to be sawdust. All tastes vie for consideration and, towards the percentages, work ludicrously nicely collectively. It’s arduous to say what the mix conjures within the creativeness however the portion is beneficiant and is the primary of two standout dishes.
The second comes with the mains; Knightsbridge crispy ribs. These ought to be legendary. Chinatown ought to be damned. Individuals ought to be speaking about them past Knightsbridge’s confines. Epicureans ought to be flocking right here for them. And so forth. Their look belies their eminence. They appear to be candy n bitter chunks of beef however truly, are nearer in conceit to shredded beef. Crunchy on the skin with succulent rib meat on the within, a skinny burst of fats separates the 2 and accompanies each mouthful. Every chunk has a slight caramel veneer. Roast garlic and medjool dates accompany. We virtually combat for the correct to complete the dish. One shouldn’t dismiss the Josper grilled baba rooster, after all. Consisting of leg, pores and skin and breast, it’s a heady mixture of mango, pineapple, dainty cuts of onion and pink chilly. It makes for a fruity however spicy tang and is introduced with a bunch of Lilliputian flowers. The egg fried rice is fluffy and light-weight and the seasonal greens with garlic are uncomplicated and refreshing.
As typically is the case with one of the best meals, we really feel we’ve eaten nicely however don’t really feel over-fed which is fortunate as a result of the dessert platter awaits. Our waitress cum sommelier recommends a Tokai candy wine from Hungary. Served on a flat platter with a slice of strawberry to brighten up the extra muted brown and inexperienced tones, every of the three tasters provides a diversified, intriguing finish to our meal. The crispy yin yang banana is a banana mash hidden inside a fried pastry from white chocolate oozes. Smatterings of salt add to its normal deliriuim. The sticky rice pumpkin chunks begin off savoury however by some means find yourself candy and the Kaya gel might appear to be a twist of wasabi paste however tastes nothing prefer it; it’s a tantalising candy coconut gel with a powerful flavour which doesn’t require greater than the occasional dib or dab.
Based on Nanyang Blossom’s web site, ‘When a dish is in full “blossom,” it turns into not solely visually interesting but in addition irresistibly scrumptious’. Chef Patron Daren Liew and his pleasant employees obtain this with flying colors and have made their restaurant a must-go to vacation spot not solely in Knightsbridge however the entire of London.
