ST. JAMES’ COURT, A TAJ HOTEL WELCOMES THE ACCLAIMED HOUSE OF MING RESTAURANT TO LONDON

The globally acclaimed House of Ming restaurant will open its doors to diners in London this Spring. House of Ming will be housed within St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, and is set to offer unbeatable and authentic Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine. The new restaurant will open on 25th May with bookings being taken now for a sophisticated and contemporary experience.
Mehrnavaz Avari, Area Director, UK & General Manager, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, Suites and Residences and St. James’ Court, A Taj Hotel, London said “We are delighted to welcome House of Ming to the Taj Hotels in London, and we are excited for the restaurant to make its mark into the London food scene with unrivaled Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine matched with astonishingly beautiful interiors.”

The interior is elegant and chic, with an ambience that is reminiscent of the famous Ming Dynasty and was created by award-winning designers Atelier Wren. House of Ming incorporates elements of traditional Chinese design to create a rich and intimate dining space with a focus on bespoke craftsmanship and artistry. Apart from the cuisine, the Ming nobility also brought botanicals from China, and the restaurant comes alive with intrinsically designed gingko leaves, a sacred concept of yin and yang symbolising longevity and vitality. The intimate 56-seater restaurant has a stunning blend of green hues and lush red lacquer. Finishing touches such as antique brass and handcrafted furniture give a sumptuous feel. Ceilings were hand painted onto canvas by Lara Fiorentino, designs were inspired by Chinese silk screen painting from the Ming dynasty and feature pine trees, mountains, and ginkgo leaves. Large, embroidered silk panels featuring pine and ginkgo leaves were created by award winning artist Jacky Puzey with plum blossom appliqué being added to some panels to create a little decorative motif that balances with the drama of the pine shapes and sweeping needles.

Love is in the air at House of Ming, as it will feature amongst the most romantic dining experiences in London with two sets of bespoke love seats nestled around a table, with their own curtain to create a unique intimacy, #loveatHOM. The romantic two-seater area will feature a brass button that discreetly calls the kitchen for a unique surprise. The golden seats are trimmed in Opium fabric and the marble tables sit under a brass “twisted gingko” pendant light.
The restaurant opens under the direction of an outstanding team including Food & Beverage Manager Asif Bajwa, experienced Executive Chef Sujoy Gupta and Hong Kong born Head Chef, Dickson Leung, bringing his knowledge and wisdom from the wealth of experience he gained working at some of the finest restaurants in China and London. House of Ming’s menu is modern, easy and simplistic, presenting celebrated authentic flavours from the provinces of China. The menu has an amazing selection of shareable dishes that balance hot, sweet & sour favours, and an unmissable meat, seafood and vegetarian Dim Sum list to choose from.
The menu is inspired by the leading elements and ingredients influenced from House of Ming restaurant in New Delhi with culinary additions specific to London. The menu will feature an extensive Dim Sum section with delights such as prawn truffle siu mai, crispy taro and oyster dumpling, fresh bamboo roll, seafood and golden mushroom and classics such as char siu bao and sticky rice. Small plates include salt & pepper water chestnut, lotus stem with honey and chilli, stuffed crab claws, crispy fried fish with chilli and oyster sauce and BBQ lamb with cumin and chilli. Larger plates include stir fried lobster, king prawns with XO sauce and signature dish Flaming Duck, which is guaranteed to wow as not only will a traditional gong sound with each order, but the duck will be flamed at the table. For those looking for a high-end dining experience, there will be an imperial dining option of the Chef’s Choice which consists of a stunning seventeen course menu, designed exclusively to be enjoyed in the private dining room.
In addition to the magnificent food menu, House of Ming has an excellent selection of beverages from around the world. The innovative drinks menu includes a wide variety of Chinese white tea, green tea, black tea and oolong tea, and House of Ming has its own dedicated Tea Sommelier, as well as a unique tea trolley. There is also a carefully curated cocktail menu utilising Asian inspired flavors and includes the likes of House of Zhu, a Vodka cocktail with clarified oolong tea and grapefruit bitter, garnished with a pink blossom and served in a Chinese teapot. The restaurant’s wine list has a selection of the finest wine from around the globe, focussing on small producers and upcoming Vineyards, with choices of excellent Chinese Chateau Wines.