Kai Mayfair — Restaurant in London

I have a dream... to walk into Kai on a hot summer day and to take a refreshing, zesty bite of their Cake & Cream dessert, reminding me of the joys of being alive. That is how we felt on our visit to Kai Mayfair.

We walked in and were greeted by professionals who took our coats and seated us within a very contemporary Chinese ambience. The dress code was smart casual. The music was soft and there were various decorative elements that elevated the experience.

We were promptly given the menus and this is what we ordered:

Wasabi Prawns Aromatic Crispy Bean 18 Hour Pork Belly Lip Tinglin Mushrooms Long Life Noodles (veg) Nanyang Chicken Broccolini Chocolate Grows on Trees Pandan Creme Brulee Cake & Cream

Wasabi Prawns: these were the first to arrive and this is the best wasabi I've ever had. Often it can be either too strong or too weak but Kai's chef has mastered this dish. The balance of flavours was impeccable and the prawns were extremely fresh. 10/10 for this one.

Aromatic Crispy Bean: this was a veggie take on their popular crispy duck and it was flawlessly executed. I can't fathom how they managed to get the tofu/beancurd so thin and crispy but the texture was spot on. The pancakes were paper thin and the sauce was rich, sweet, and delicate. Another 10/10.

Pork Belly: again another flawless dish with cucumber foam atop a shocking soft piece of meat that literally melted in my mouth. The accompanying sauce was exactly what you'd expect to help balance this dish.

Lip Tinglin Mushrooms: I liked this dish since it came with a spicy broth that went excellently with the steamed rice. There were 3 kinds of mushrooms with it, all with different textures- made for a strong main

Long Life Noodles: the broth was fabulous with depth of flavour. It had an amazing umami that elevated the perfectly cooked noodles. There was a scattering of mushrooms that added a firm texture to the soft noodles. 10/10.

Chocolate Grows on Trees: this dish made me feel like I was a child again, running around in the forest tripping over rocks and falling face first into a pile of dirt. A replica of that memory but with a burst of falvour and texture. The favourite part of this was the exquisite liquid chocolate that oozed out of the brownie.

Creme Brulee: I was apprehensive about trying this, afraid of the eggy taste. I was pleasantly surprised when my suspicions were washed away by the perfect creme brulee. The Pandan flavour perfectly balanced the richness and this was a technical masterpiece.

Cake & Cream: the dream we have was aptly summarized by this dish. It was a sensory masterpiece: our eyes, noses, and tongues were impressed by the freshness of the orange and the delicate ice cream atop a fluffy cake. 11/10.

All in all, the service was excellent, the food was delicate, and the experience was...

I came to celebrate my mother’s birthday so was really looking forward to a great night as I’d heard great things about Kai. Unfortunately it was the opposite of what we had hoped for and we had a frustrating evening. First impressions weren’t great, on the veggie section of the menu every dish was called “chai” I asked the waiter whether I’d be getting Indian tea with every dish! He said Chai means two separate things- veggie protein from wheat (aka seitan) and tofu. I specifically asked for the seitan dish not the tofu one as the latter really doesn’t agree with me and I explained this very clearly. Despite this he ended up bringing me a dish which had tofu in it. But the night wasn’t about me so I didn’t make a fuss, the main aim was that my mum would enjoy her birthday, but unfortunately this didn’t happen either. She ordered slow cooked pork which should have been super tender and melt in the mouth delicious, but instead was chewy, tough and inedible. When we complained, the waiter was a little off hand but he eventually took the dish back after a bit of a grumble. We then waited for a replacement lobster dish for 25 minutes during which I’d finished my meal which meant my mum was eating alone. When it finally arrived it was way too salty. At this point I told the waiter that we were pretty disappointed with the quality of the food and the wait and he seemed to not be listening to our feedback and kept saying “everyone comes here because we cook things fresh and for the great food”. Yeah we came there expecting great food too mate, and at these prices it better be, but the food was really subpar sadly. Eventually the manager came over and brought us our dessert and took our picture, but didn’t seem particularly apologetic about the experience we had. Sure enough when the bill came (30minutes after we’d finished) the dishes we sent back and didn’t enjoy were all on there. I finally got annoyed at this point and asked for the pork to be taken off as well as the service charge. If you have a Michelin starred restaurant you should be aiming for perfect food. Now I understand that everyone is human and that mistakes can be made in the kitchen. But at least if you make a mistake and you can see your customer is very unhappy, apologise, take the offending dish off the bill and comp them the dessert to make up for it. Don’t make them feel like they’re wrong and try to sneak the bad dish onto their bill. If you want bad over priced food and terrible service look no further than Kai. If you want delicious high end Chinese food check out Park Chinois or Hakkasan instead- they still know the meaning of service there. Avoid Kai if you...

A Journey into Exotic Elegance: Kai Mayfair

Nestled in the charming Mayfair district stands a culinary gem that transports its guests into a realm of exoticism and elegance - Kai Mayfair. As a venerable and longstanding presence in London's restaurant scene, Kai Mayfair has not only attracted a discerning clientele but has also cultivated an aura of mystery and sophistication.

Undoubtedly, this Chinese restaurant stands as a diva among gastronomic experiences. For years, it has welcomed guests of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and wealth. A hushed whisper courses through the streets of Mayfair when it comes to who dines, mingles, and discreetly revels at Kai Mayfair. Here, away from the tumult of crises and political complexities, a haven of refuge and merriment unfolds.

In recent times, Russians, glamorous Nigerians, and now enthusiasts from the Arab and Far Eastern worlds have left their mark at Kai. Amidst the opulent décor, women don exquisite Hidschābs, celebrating life and seeking solace from the heat of daily life. Kai is divided into two sections, with the basement exuding an ambiance of ease and intimacy.

The menu reads like poetry, with each bite spiriting one away from the frenetic pace of the world. Even for connoisseurs of Chinese cuisine, Kai Mayfair offers a surprising and refined selection. The philosophy of the house from South China bestows upon the guest a regal and exhilarating culinary experience. In doing so, Kai manages to reinterpret traditional Chinese cuisine in an incredibly modern manner without forsaking its roots. The result is a captivating fusion of aesthetic and culinary artistry, expanding and delighting the senses.

Dining at Kai Mayfair imbues one with a sense of being in the best of hands from the outset. Each moment of the experience is thoughtfully orchestrated, and the staff contributes to making one feel like royalty. Upon leaving the restaurant and venturing into the Mayfair night sky, the certainty remains that the temple of taste will be revisited.

Overall, Kai Mayfair is not only a haven of indulgence but also a symbol of luxury, tradition, and innovation. It bridges the past with the present, setting new standards for Chinese cuisine in London. A visit to Kai Mayfair is undoubtedly a gastronomic journey that will not easily fade...