Would you like to dine at an award-winning design restaurant? Then the restaurant Mei Ume at Four Seasons Trinity Square, the repurposed former London Port Authority Headquarters across from the Tower of London, is the 'ticket!'
These enamel plum blossoms painted onto a near floor to ceiling glass at the entrance to
Mei Ume must surely be the red carpet equivalent upright.
An upward glance to the roof space provides the only reference to the rooms historical past. Reds, silk embroidery, metal motifs, and lacquer quietly theme the decor with the cuisine.
The menu, four pages of a la carte conveniently categorised into fifteen sections. Gracing the top of the list is Mei Ume's standout signature dishes of 'Stir-Fried Native Lobster and Wagyu Beef Dumplings. Followed by the starters or the equivalent of 'Small Eat', Soup and Moriawase. Further down the list, Fish, Meats, Vegetables and remaining options.
Fish followed by pork are my faithful choices on any restaurant menu.
And true to my religious food choices, steamed Chilean sea bass and Shanghai braised pork ribs graced our table. Along with crispy shredded veal with chilli and mango, portions of jasmine steamed rice, gai lan and a selection of 6 Kind sushi.
A rack of ribs on the menu at a Four Seasons residence would otherwise cause palpitations. Why? Because a rack of ribs is best savoured when eaten with your hands! Imagine the curled lips when the waiter said, 'you can eat with your hands!' Not to mention, they'll cut those ribs up at the table for you! You'd be forgiven for thinking you'll be fork fed your ribs, too but be assured the service stops there.
The ribs were finger-lickingly good, the steamed fish - satisfying!
Nothing about the sound of ice cream balled up into a gelatinous rice coating tingled taste buds. Yet only eyes could communicate the excitement, lips experienced at the newly discovered coconut and mango treats called mochis.
Except for desserts, the dishes were served at once and in the traditional Asian way - to share.
After lunch, a plate of sugary sweet coconut treats makes a surprise entrance onto the table.
Mei Ume spaciously seats forty-eight, and if a further forty-seven guests seem too many, Mei Ume offers a thirteen seat private dining area. The background music is sufficiently audible to enrich conversation at the table, and meals arrived in under twenty minutes of being ordered.
No show kitchens or outside views here. But what that does is leave you focusing your attention on the award-winning decor around you—a three-piece mural occupying one wall depicting an oriental scape a particular focal piece.
Feel free to wear a diaphanous dress or capri pants; there's a' no dress code policy' in place. I promise no one will bat an eye. Dishes are served to share and waiters speak as comfortably with you as they would their catholic priest. Mei Ume makes traditional Chinese and Japanese dishes in a stylish venue with an unassuming and relaxed atmosphere.
The next time you are in need of an oriental meal fix, it doesn't have to be your customary Chinese restaurant. Try Mei Ume in their overly stylish surroundings is a bonus.
Go check out what won them the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2018
Where: 10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ
When: Monday – Saturday 12:00 to 14:15; Monday – Saturday 18:00 to 22:15
Website: www.meiume.com
