A new addition to the Soho scene and a very unique one. I was lucky enough to visit during the soft opening 30% off bill (including drinks). More than anything else, the intriguing menu ingredients of unusual meats and combinations is what drew me in. There is Asian, game, and a little weirdness. But it's different and although expensive (at full price) for small tapas plates, it's quite unique in town.
Smokey eyes £12 had a good balance of whiskey, sweetness from the plum wine, a mild chilli and smoke that made it taste like a mild (but good) mezcal. I liked it.
- Complimentary taster of Inari tempura pocket, coconut sambal, piccalilli;
- Zebra loin tataki, charred grapes, popcorn, sake cured egg, sriracha jelly, orange blossom labneh £12.9 - a smooth tender (surprisingly) less intense flavour than beef tataki, more reminiscent of mild horse (which kind of makes sense). Really good. The sriracha jelly was a new concept in a chilly and chilli form;
- Samphire & watermelon som tam, chilli, garlic, palm sugar, lime, crushed peanuts £6.9 - unusual version using samphire to add the saltiness where fish sauce would normally be. Creative and refreshing;
- 8 hour braised wagyu beef ribs, beetroot & kizami wasabi siu mai, smoked, bone marrow & garlic aioli £14.9 - I expected beef ribs with siu mai separately but instead received the most expensive and most divine dumplings filled with tender moist beef;
- Jungle curry, minced ostrich loin, aromatic lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, Thai chillis £12.9 - it could have been any mince meat in the very mild curry. Tasted ok but not strong enough. I wouldn't order it again;
- Singapore chilli lobster, birds eye chilli, palm sugar, lemongras, coriander, ginger (half) £15.9 - the lobster was a bit too sweet and the texture of it was mushy and soft. I wouldn't order it again;
- Deepfried banana spring roll, caramel wafers, icecream - the roll had the most divine crisp shell. Honestly I can't even remember if it was a banana filling the shell was so good. The other elements added more sweetness and textures.
I would gladly go back again. There's still the kangaroo (although less exciting an ingredient for me), miso lamb chops, a steamed fish (updated menu) and jackfruit curry. Keep up the creativity.