Housed on the 33rd floor of the UK’s tallest building, Hutong is a Northern Chinese restaurant and bar boasting panoramic views of the London skyline, excellent food and seriously inventive cocktails. Guests can zoom upward in the lift and arrive in the cool, moody space with a relaxed feel and floor to ceiling windows.
The bar at Hutong is as well-stocked as it is lofty, with a seriously impressive range of cocktails. Hutong's signature mixes take inspiration from the 12 signs of the zodiac, as well as the five elements of Chinese philosophy - water, earth, fire, wood and metal, each of which corresponds to a flavour profile, either salty, sweet, spicy, sour or bitter. The citrus-laden, spicy 'Yuan' for example, is a bold mixture of Thai basil-infused Pampero Blanco, lime juice, homemade lemongrass syrup and ginger beer, whilst 'The Forbidden Duck' is something different entirely - a fresh and bitter mix of rye and Bullett bourbon, Disaronno, Noilly Prat and duck fat.
Non-drinkers can rest easy as the mocktails at Hutong don’t disappoint. The Earl Grey Spritz, for example, is a refreshing mix of Seedlip-spiced Earl Grey syrup, clarified lemon juice and tonic.
Bar food at Hutong is, as you might expect, decadent and delicious. Highlights include vegetable spring rolls, crispy prawn rolls and crispy calamari, as well as scallop and prawn dumplings. Alternatively, guests can opt for the dim sum platter, which includes cod and seaweed dumplings with tobiko, XO sauce crystal prawn dumplings, mushroom and spinach dumplings and rosé Champagne shrimp dumplings.
Those seeking a simpler sip can peruse the global spirits list, celebrating the best the world has to offer, including Monkey 47 gin, Belvedere vodka, Talisker whiskey, Don Julio 1942 tequila, Casamigos Mezcal and Zacapa XO rum. There is also a selection of aperitifs, digestifs and fortified wines.