FANCY FOOD, FABULOUS COCKTAILS AND SERIOUSLY GORGEOUS SURROUNDINGS

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon | Press Invite

Have you ever gone somewhere and thought “Am I posh enough to be here” because that was me at The Ivy Asia Mayfair. I mean, talk about a freaking stunning venue! I was invited to an intimate launch dinner for The Elements: Fire & Ice menu, and I was excited for an evening of good food, cocktails and me pretending I regularly dine in restaurants this glamorous.

The evening took place in the Sakura Room, which is used for private parties, wedding receptions and corporate events. It was absolutely beautiful, with so many tiny details adding to the splendour. Our table was set with fresh flowers, red candles, intricate glassware and bejewelled napkin holders featuring gold, green, blue and purple details. And we had an ice sculpture in the shape of a flame, because why settle for a normal centrepiece when that’s an option.

A LYCHEE MULE AND AN UNEXPECTED LOVE STORY

We were welcomed with a Lychee Mule which, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure this was going to be my drink. I could not have been MORE wrong! It showed up smoking like a tiny, elegant cauldron thanks to some dry ice fun. Sweet, refreshing and dangerously easy to drink; it was so good that I had a couple more throughout the evening. And thanks to a fantastic menu, there were no fears of a hangover or regret coming at me the following morning.

We were given the chance to try the full selection of dishes, with plates shared between two to three people. A normal booking wouldn’t work like this, but it was a great way to get through the whole menu and allow me to give my recommendations across the board. For £23.95, you get one snack, one starter, one main, and for just £5 extra you can add dessert. A great deal if you ask me!

CRISPY WONTONS, PRAWN TOAST AND A SURPRISE STAR OF THE SHOW

First up Is Crispy Wonton & Poppadoms, with Szechuan sauce, a great dish to pick at throughout an entire meal. Give me a bowl of crispy things and a selection of sauces and I’m a happy girlie. The starter options are Spinach & Mizuna Salad, Steamed Chicken Gyoza, Yellowtail Tartare, and Sesame Prawn Toast.

My surprise favourite was the Yellowtail Tartare. The citrus dressing worked beautifully with the yellowtail, while the crispy nori and rice crackers gave it a crunchy element. It’s a dish I can say for sure “I would order that again”. The Sesame Prawn Toast was an easy win because I love prawn toast and I’m not about to pretend otherwise. A crispy and crunchy outside with the soft prawn filling, it was exactly what I wanted it to be.

I’ll admit I didn’t try the Spinach & Mizuna Salad as I’m not a spinach girlie. However, I have it on good authority from the other diners that it was really good. The Steamed Chicken Gyoza were not a hit for me, simply because they had sweetcorn in them. Not what I expect in a gyoza, but sadly for me sweetcorn is the devil, so it was doomed from the start. But again, don’t take my opinion here, it was enjoyed across the table.

I CAME FOR THE KING PRAWN NOODLES AND LEFT WITH A NEW OBSESSION

The options for the mains are King Prawn Noodles, Keralan Chickpea & Aubergine Curry, Nasi Goreng, and Smoked Beef Short Ribs. I’m sure most of you have guessed I was first drawn to the King Prawn Noodles. If prawns are on the menu, you can bet good money I’m going to order them. Coming with egg noodles, chilli, greens and spring onion, it was a great combination. The sauce had loads of flavour without overpowering everything else.

The Nasi Goreng was another surprise favourite because although I’d heard of it, I’d never actually tried it. The Indonesian style fried rice came with sweet soy marinated chicken, garlic and chilli, and had loads of flavour. I’m travelling to Indonesia soon and based on this I suspect Nasi Goreng will fast become a staple order whilst I’m there.

DO YOU SPLASH OUT OR STICK TO THE £23.95 PRICE TAG

The Keralan Chickpea & Aubergine Curry wasn’t an obvious choice for me. When there’s meat available, a vegetarian dish is never that high up my food wishlist, but I did enjoy it. And the veggies were more than happy to take a little off my hands. The Smoked Beef Short Ribs were also delicious, with the meat practically falling off the bone. I wasn’t completely sold on the sauce, but with beef that tender I could forgive it.

You can add a side of Steamed Rice & Wok Fried Broccoli for £3.50, but you would only need this with the Curry and Short Ribs. Also, there is a supplement of £4.50 for the Short Ribs, so if you want to stick with the standard menu price, I’d personally go King Prawn Noodles or Nasi Goreng. But if you fancy indulging, I would say they are worth it.

£5 FOR DESSERT? SAY LESS

Not adding dessert for £5 feels like a crime, but then I do have a sweet tooth. The options are Flambéed Crème Bruléé, Milk Chocolate & Hazelnut Truffle, and Yuzu Mochi. I tried my first ever Crème Bruléé and got to do the satisfying tap and crack moment. I really enjoyed it but I did struggle to eat too much as it was quite rich and filling. Although, you would have had a bit more restraint that me so would have more room.

The Milk Chocolate & Hazelnut Truffle wasn’t really for me because I don’t like chocolate ice cream or hazelnut, so I was never going to be the target audience. However, there was a little surprise in the middle, with a secondary ice cream centre that tasted like bubblegum, and THAT bit was lush. If you’re a chocolate ice cream and hazelnut person, you’ll be in your element here.

And last but certainly not least, the Yuzu Mochi. I’ve always found the texture of Mochi odd, but the Yuzu flavouring was lovely. I only recently found out the outside is pounded stick rice dough which explains why my brain has never known what to make of it. Still on the fence texture wise but the flavour won me over.

THE VERDICT IS IN AND I’M ALREADY PLANNING MY NEXT VISIT

The Elements: Fire & Ice menu is very much the kind of dining experience where the surroundings are part of the fun. The gorgeous venue, the stunning presentation, the little details around the table, the options available. There is plenty to keep your eyes as busy as your stomach. I may still not feel entirely posh enough for The Ivy Asia Mayfair, but after an evening like that, I’m certainly going to be seen there again. Now, the important question… who is coming with me?!

WEBSITE

Photo Credit: