House of Ho, Percy Street ★★★★★

The arrival of Soho restaurant House of Ho was hotly anticipated by foodies as one of the best places to eat in London given its location and the reputation of founder Bobbi Chinn. Having drawn the celebrity crowds to Chinn's Old Compton Street venture for the past few years, House of Ho now sees Ian Pengelley (formerly of Chai Wu and Gilgamesh) as the new Chef Director, and he's branching out with a second House of Ho – this time in foodie haven, Fitzrovia.

The new House of Ho menu features sharing plates aplenty: from starters including soft shell crab, served with a selection of Vietnamese soy and creamy spicy dipping sauces, to wild mushroom with garlic & chive dumplings. For those who want something more substantial, we'd recommend the king crab, prawn & crème fraiche croquettes: piping hot and fragrant.

As for mains, there's plenty to try, from vegetarian options, like warm asian aubergine salad with garlic and coriander to imperial rolls: some of the offerings are a little on the oily side. The shaking beef is worth trying for the quality of the meat, but it's a little tougher than expected (so bring some energy). In terms of presentation, there's plenty of 'wow' factor, including a huge display tray of chillis upon which the tempura crab rustles appetisingly.

The interiors are designed in a more classic style than their Soho venue, and an open kitchen allows diners to observe the chefs at work – though the bright strobe lighting does in some ways detract from the atmosphere. There are, apparently, various private rooms aside from the main dining area, and the new venue covers four whole floors. Pengelley is clearly targeting his Vietnamese menu at the luxury private dining market, so perhaps this is where the new House of Ho will find its niche.