Calling all those who commute into London! When those office days come around (and they’re coming around quicker and quicker, amiright?!), dinner usually means nabbing a sorry sandwich or fast food burger, and bunging it in your rucksack, ready for the journey home. Well, new restaurant Chinese Cricket Club may be about to change the game for commuters.
Located on the ground floor of the five-star Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars, this spot offers delicious Chinese food in an upmarket restaurant setting, literally one minute away from Blackfriars station. Depending on where you sit, you can see the station out of the window. If you time it right, you can treat yourself to a slap up meal, and still make your train – no less than you deserve after a hard day’s work. I took a visit; read on for my review of Chinese Cricket Club.
Dining at Chinese Cricket Club
Chinese Cricket Club boasts a mighty menu of dim sum, meat, veg, rice and noodle dishes. If you’re a little overwhelmed by the choice, you can opt for one of the four set menus, featuring their speciality dishes. However, if you’re short on time (or stomach space, as those set menus are hefty), then you can dine a la carte.
The signature dish here is the peking duck – and boy, can I see why, as it was delicious. There is a choice of smoked or traditional peking duck; I chose ‘traditional’ and I was seriously impressed. As the duck was presented by the friendly staff, it practically glistened under the table’s light. It was served alongside pancakes, hoisin sauce, cucumber, leek, and pineapple. Although I was hesitant to add pineapple to this perfected combination at first, I was pleasantly surprised. Pineapple gave the dish a satisfying sweet and sour taste. The duck’s skin was lovely and crispy, giving the pancakes a good ‘bite’, and the whole dish was filling yet light.
Alongside the duck, I had a side of Shanghai rice, which I utterly adored. Not only did it smell delicious, but it had a flavoursome, almost smokey, taste. I also tried the pear dumplings, which were pretty different to any dim sum I’d ever tried before. This dumpling-esque dish encases soft chicken and prawns inside an almost crystalised sweet, pear-shaped shell.
Despite its location in a five-star hotel, and its refined interiors and staff, the vibes at Chinese Cricket Club are nice and relaxed – perfect after a long day. There is soothing Chinese-style music playing as you dine too, adding to the relaxed atmosphere.
The hotel
If you’re staying in London, instead of commuting home, you needn’t wander too far. As previously mentioned, Chinese Cricket Club sits in the equally new Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars (opened June 2023), a sumptious, modern hotel perfect for an overnight stay. The rooms are modern and minimalistic, and my goodness, do they boast the biggest TV you’ve ever seen. I bedded down for the night and was completely surprised by the serenity of the room, given the ultra central location.
Regardless of whether you’re stopping by on your way to Blackfriars station, or your taking a leisurely dinner and stay, Chinese Cricket Club is one to watch out for as it solidifies itself in London’s Chinese restaurant scene.