Duck and Rice, Soho

Restauranteur Alan Yau continues his quest to shape the way we dine this year with his new venture the Duck and Rice restaurant London 'Chinese gastropub' which has just opened on Berwick Street.
As you walk around central London, it’s hard to escape Yau’s gastronomic influence; founder of outlets like Wagamama, Hakkasan and Busuba Eathai, his new eatery is only a stone’s throw from his Michelin-starred dim sum teahouse Yauatcha.
Finding a home in the 4500 sq ft. space formerly occupied by the The Endurance, Yau and his team embarked upon a complete refurbishment. With the opening repeatedly pushed back, expectations were high.
It's not just Chinese cocktails and street food; in addition to the range of craft beers and cocktails, there's a huge selection of dim sum, curries and snacks, including the likes of crabmeat Foo Young, pan-fried pork and Chinese leaves gyoza, and pork ribs & bitter melon served in black beans. There's also a light option of stir-fry Chinese celery, pumpkin, dried shrimp & prawn cake, or a succulent sounding double-cooked pork belly & salted fish, with baby leak, ginger and spring onion, to name a few of the dishes offered on Yau's extensive menu.
Along with such tastebud-tickling treats, the beer is a highlight. Fresh, flavoursome Pilsner Urquell is served in huge tanks. Yau's apparently very insistent that Duck and Rice is a pub, not a 'posh restaurant' and the music, curated by Soho Radio, adds to the restaurant's relaxed vibe.
We wondered whether Yau's new venture would be a fleeting, flash in the pan novelty, or become a regular Soho haunt. The verdict: seriously good food, but at a serious price, with a sprinkling of pricy flops amidst otherwise high quality fare. Nonetheless, Duck and Rice does serve up some superlative Cantonese food, a cut above nearby Chinatown.