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Bull in a China Shop

Bars·
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Bronze Award
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SquareMeal Review of Bull in a China Shop

Bronze Award

Intriguingly set behind a Dickensian-style frontage, this quirky, fun-loving, Asian-accented bar/restaurant is a new venture from the Chan brothers (behind the nearby Drunken Monkey). The kitchen produces healthier versions of dude food (including a panko-crumbed halloumi burger with harissa mayo and daikon), but the real star here is the sticky, succulent rotisserie chicken – brined with ginger and marinated in?yoghurt with a Nikka whisky glaze. Salads are?another highlight (we love the crunchy charred cauliflower version with fennel, apple and blood?orange), and there are bao buns for breakfast. Right on trend, the bar specialises in Japanese whisky, offering top drams and such fabulous cocktails as the Apricot Highball (a heady mix of Nikka from the barrel, apricot jam and apricot brandy topped up with soda water). Our tip: the table by the kitchen is the best seat in the joint.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Bars
Ambience
Fun, Lively
Perfect for
Dates
Food Hygiene Rating

Location

196 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6LG

020 7539 9299 020 7539 9299

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sun 8am-11.30pm (Sat-Sun 9am- )

Reviews

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1 Review 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

AmyM

09 March 2017  
Food & Drink 3
Service 5
Atmosphere 4
Value 4
Lovely staff, nice food
I went to this place about a year ago and had a (cramped) delicious meal. The menu changes and so I was looking forward to going back for a second time. The staff are really lovely, I am currently on crutches and so they made as much accommodation for me as possible and ensured I was comfortable. The food is yummy, but seems to have lost the "delicious" edge. We ordered duck fritters and a soft shell crab bao to start to share and a half chicken in whisky and soy to follow. The fritters were tasty if a little dry and the plum jam just tipping over into the too-sweet side of things, it's supposed to be a Shoreditch-trendy deconstructed version of a pancake without the wrap. The bao was delicious however. Sadly, the chicken was just a roast chicken. Super crispy skin with the glaze, but it would have been great if the glaze had been more of a sauce as it was a bit dull after that. Especially when I compare it to the amazing sticky ribs of last year. The bar staff totally know their stuff and made excellent suggestions and ultimately cocktails based on what you tell them you like. The only thing with this place is that there are many tables packed in to a tiny space, so it can be a little intimate with your fellow diners. We paid just shy of £100 for 4 cocktails, 2 wines, 1 beer and the food, so I think a reasonably priced place to catch up with friends in the heart of Shoreditch.
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020 7539 9299 020 7539 9299

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