Soft lighting, fusion food and a vibrant atmosphere set the tone at this slinky little number.
You can’t get much swankier than Mayfair. With some of the most luxurious hotels, restaurants, bars and shops in the country, there’s a reason why the area ranks highest in a game of Monopoly. Take Dover Street; birthplace of the eponymous Dover Street Market, then there’s the infamous Mahiki, sitting pretty only steps from the glamorous MNKY HSE. People flock to this lively underground spot to drink, dine and dance. So that’s what we did.
The sultry restaurant is spread over two floors, with a Latin American concept menu overseen by head chef Mark Morrans, of Nobu and Kurobuta. If sashimi and carpaccio had a baby, it would be the Japanese-inspired Peruvian Hamachi Tiradito (£18); plump yellowtail alongside dollops of sweet potato and mouth-watering truffle. Soft shell crab tempura (£16.50) comes with a corn mayo and chipotle sauce, while salmon (£18) is cooked in Japanese ponzu and short rib (£26) is served with beef jus and smoked potato puree. Don’t underestimate the corn salad (£8.50); it’s a welcome bowl of crunch which cuts through all the exotic flavours.
Cocktails are equally as experimental, with Asian and Latin ingredients filtering through. The Kaffir Pisco Sour (£14) contains kaffir-infused Barsol Quebranta. The restaurant turns into a club come midnight, and the punchy Skin Vision (£14) is the perfect party starter. When it comes to dessert, the pumpkin crème brulee (£8.50) is a delicious concoction of salted caramel, cinnamon ice cream and pecan, while the chocolate fondant (£9.50) is exactly what you’d want from a melt-in-the-middle dessert, with cherry ripple ice cream to top things off.
Not only does MNKY HSE have a flair for Latin American cuisine, but injections of east Asian tastes and techniques blend seamlessly. Music is just as important the menu and if you’re after a fun night out, you don’t need to look any further. DJs transform the place into a nightlife hotspot, so expect a late night at this stylish Mayfair haunt.
You'll find MNKY HSE at 10 Dover St, Mayfair, London W1S 4LQ, with live music from Thursday to Saturday.
