Pacific Oriental
Chinese and East Asian
0.5 miles
52 Threadneedle Street, City, Central London, EC2R 8AR
Minutes from Bank tube station, sitting majestically among the marbled grandeur of the offices and arcades of the City of London's Square Mile, Pacific Oriental is an ambitious undertaking - combining bar, informal meeting and eating area and fine-dining restaurant. Once the cavernous headquarters of the Natwest bank, Pacific Oriental's home was transformed with Asian-inspired elegance and sophistication; it now features sumptuous burgundy furnishings, rich gold decor and dark wood tables, blinds and screens.
When it comes to fusion food, this is East meets West at its best, and you don't have to wait to see the menu to appreciate just how good Pacific Oriental is. The bar's talented mixologists will whip you up a Saketo (a Japanese take on the classic Mojito) or a Wasabi Martini in seconds. There is no shortage of Asian beers and sake, and the wine list is excellent - with plenty of Old and New World spice-friendly Rieslings and Gewürztraminers - and a knowledgeable sommelier to guide you through it all.
Drawing on the various flavours and cooking styles of the Pacific Rim, the menu offers plenty of choice and the tastebud-tingling opportunity to hop from a serving of deliciously fresh and expertly rolled prawn, avocado and cucumber futomaki sushi, to crispy duck rolls, gyozas (dumplings), sashimi, lightly battered tempura prawns and miso soup. And that's before you've even looked at the main courses. Highlights here include fragrant lamb massaman curry, mee goring noodles - which combine Asian spice and coriander tang with a thoroughly English chutney - and roast duck breast with sour plum and sage sauce served with thin-cut potato chips - a definite nod to Europe.
The fusion theme comes into its own with the dessert menu, featuring green tea creme brulée with financier and white chocolate fondant, served with coconut ice cream. Having successfully shrugged off the austerity of its former incarnation, Pacific Oriental offers a luxurious yet laid-back Asian dining experience, where the cooking is adventurous and inventive and the service excellent
When it comes to fusion food, this is East meets West at its best, and you don't have to wait to see the menu to appreciate just how good Pacific Oriental is. The bar's talented mixologists will whip you up a Saketo (a Japanese take on the classic Mojito) or a Wasabi Martini in seconds. There is no shortage of Asian beers and sake, and the wine list is excellent - with plenty of Old and New World spice-friendly Rieslings and Gewürztraminers - and a knowledgeable sommelier to guide you through it all.
Drawing on the various flavours and cooking styles of the Pacific Rim, the menu offers plenty of choice and the tastebud-tingling opportunity to hop from a serving of deliciously fresh and expertly rolled prawn, avocado and cucumber futomaki sushi, to crispy duck rolls, gyozas (dumplings), sashimi, lightly battered tempura prawns and miso soup. And that's before you've even looked at the main courses. Highlights here include fragrant lamb massaman curry, mee goring noodles - which combine Asian spice and coriander tang with a thoroughly English chutney - and roast duck breast with sour plum and sage sauce served with thin-cut potato chips - a definite nod to Europe.
The fusion theme comes into its own with the dessert menu, featuring green tea creme brulée with financier and white chocolate fondant, served with coconut ice cream. Having successfully shrugged off the austerity of its former incarnation, Pacific Oriental offers a luxurious yet laid-back Asian dining experience, where the cooking is adventurous and inventive and the service excellent
Open: Mon-Fri noon-11pm
